Transport and metabolism of glucose and arabinose in Bifidobacterium breve

A catalog of ethanol-producing microbes in humans

Aim: Endogenous ethanol production emerges as a mechanism of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, diabetes and auto-brewery syndrome. Methods: To identify ethanol-producing microbes in humans, we used the NCBI taxonomy browser and the PubMed database with an automatic query and manual verification. Results: 85 ethanol-producing microbes in human were identified. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida and Pichia were the most represented fungi. Enterobacteriaceae was the most represented bacterial family with mainly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Species of the Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiaceae family, of the Lactobacillales order and of the Bifidobacterium genus were also identified. Conclusion: This catalog will help the study of ethanol-producing microbes in human in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and management of human diseases associated with endogenous ethanol production.

Influence of Different Diets on the Degradation of Sulfasalazine by Colon Bacteria Determined Using MimiCol3

The microbiome of the colon is characterized by its great diversity. This varies not only intra- but also interindividually and is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors, such as dietary and lifestyle factors. The aim of this work was to investigate the extent to which the degradation of the drug sulfasalazine is influenced by different microbiota. Therefore, the in vitro model MimiCol3 was used, which represents the physiological conditions of the ascending colon. In addition to a representative physiological volume, the pH value, redox potential and an anaerobic atmosphere are important to provide the bacteria with the best possible growth conditions. Stool samples were taken from three healthy subjects, comparing omnivorous, vegetarian and meat-rich diets, and cultured for 24 h. However, the nutrient medium used for cultivation led to the alignment of the bacterial composition of the microbiota. The previously observed differences between the diets could not be maintained. Nevertheless, the similar degradation of sulfasalazine was observed in all microbiota studied in MimiCol3. This makes MimiCol3 a suitable in vitro model for metabolism studies in the gut microbiome.

Interaction between dietary fiber and bifidobacteria in promoting intestinal health

Bifidobacteria are considered as probiotics due to their role in promoting intestinal health, including regulating intestinal flora, controlling glycolipid metabolism, anti-colitis effects. Dietary fiber is considered as prebiotic favoring gut health. It also can be used as carbon source to support the growth and colonization of probiotics like bifidobacteria. However, because of genetic diversity, different bifidobacterial species differ in their ability to utilize dietary fiber. Meanwhile, dietary fiber with different structural properties has different effects on the bifidobacteria proliferation. The interaction between dietary fiber and bifidobacteria will consequently lead to a synergistic or antagonistic function in promoting intestinal health, therefore affecting the application of combined use of dietary fiber and bifidobacteria. In this case, we summarize the biological function of bifidobacteria, and their interaction with different dietary fiber in promoting gut health, and finally provide several strategies about their combined use.

Metabolite profile and elemental determination of camel follicular fluid by GC-MS and ICP-MS

The objective of present study was to determine metabolite profile and inorganic elements of camel follicular fluids (FF) using "gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)," respectively. Various metabolites were detected in camel FF by the proposed GC-MS technique. The major compounds detected were lactic acid (62.37%), linolenic acid (5.95%), myo-inositol (3.37%), hexadecanoic acid (3.19%), N-ethyl-N-vinylacetamide (3.15%), acetamide (2.89%), tetradecanoic acid (2.64%), and D-xylofuranose (2.25%). The proposed ICP-MS technique was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. All quality control validation parameters were found to be satisfactory for the analysis of elements in camel FF. The proposed ICP-MS technique showed the presence of sixteen different elements (out of eighteen standards) in camel FF. Some elements such as Na, K, Ca, and Mg were obtained in higher amounts in camel FF. Overall, the results of this study indicated that the proposed GC-MS and ICP-MS techniques can be successfully applied for metabolite profile and element determination of biological fluids such as FF.

Combining of transcriptome and metabolome analyses for understanding the utilization and metabolic pathways of Xylo-oligosaccharide in Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 15703

A combination of transcriptome and metabolome analyses was applied to understand the utilization and metabolism of Xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) in Bifidobacterium adolescentis 15703 as well as identifying the key regulatory-related genes and metabolites. Samples of cultures grown on either XOS or xylose were collected. The transcript and metabolite profiles were obtained from high-throughput RNA-sequencing data analysis and UHPLC system. Compared with xylose, XOS highly promoted the growth of B. adolescentis 15703 and resulted in a growth yield about 1.5-fold greater than xylose. The transcriptome analysis showed that XOS could enhance genes, including ABC transporters, galactosidase, xylosidase, glucosidase, and amylase, which were involved in transport and metabolism of carbohydrate compared with xylose. Furthermore, the expression profile of 16 candidate genes using qRT-PCR has validated the accuracy of the RNA-seq data. Also, the metabolomic analyses, particularly those related to metabolic biomarkers of fatty acids, amino acids, and sugars showed a similar trend of result and approved the advantages of XOS as growth medium for B. adolescentis 15703 compared with xylose. The expression and abundance of specific genes and metabolites highlighted the complex regulatory mechanisms involved in utilization of XOS by B. adolescentis 15703. These results are useful in the understanding of the metabolic pathway of XOS in B. adolescentis 15703 and contribute to the optimization of XOS probiotic effects as a food additive.

Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Members of the Human Gut Microbiota

Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are among the first microbes to colonize the human gastrointestinal tract and are believed to exert positive health benefits on their host. Due to their purported health-promoting properties, bifidobacteria have been incorporated into many functional foods as active ingredients. Bifidobacteria naturally occur in a range of ecological niches that are either directly or indirectly connected to the animal gastrointestinal tract, such as the human oral cavity, the insect gut and sewage. To be able to survive in these particular ecological niches, bifidobacteria must possess specific adaptations to be competitive. Determination of genome sequences has revealed genetic attributes that may explain bifidobacterial ecological fitness, such as metabolic abilities, evasion of the host adaptive immune system and colonization of the host through specific appendages. However, genetic modification is crucial toward fully elucidating the mechanisms by which bifidobacteria exert their adaptive abilities and beneficial properties. In this review we provide an up to date summary of the general features of bifidobacteria, whilst paying particular attention to the metabolic abilities of this species. We also describe methods that have allowed successful genetic manipulation of bifidobacteria.

Molecular characterisation of ABC-type multidrug efflux systems in Bifidobacterium longum

Administration of probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. can prevent antibiotic associated diarrhoea since they can survive the often harsh conditions of the gut. In Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum(T) NCIMB 702259, two gene clusters, with homology to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of efflux transporters, were identified and studied to assess their functional contribution to antibiotic resistance. Both gene clusters contained two genes encoding putative efflux transporters and a regulator gene, upstream of the structural genes. Reverse transcriptase analysis indicated that the genes in each cluster were transcribed as operons, one where all three genes, including a putative MarR-type regulator were transcribed together (BLLJ_1496/1495/1494), and the other where the two ABC-type transporter genes (BLLJ_1837/1836) were co-transcribed, but excluded the putative regulator (BLLJ_1838). Heterologous expression of the cloned BLLJ_1837/1836 transporter genes in Lactococcus lactis conferred resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline by increasing the minimum inhibitory concentration between 1.5 and 3 fold. The presence of these genes also allowed a 16% increase in the efflux of Hoechst 33342 from L. lactis cells containing the two transporter genes, BLLJ_1837-6. In B. longum, an increase in the levels of transcription of 3.3 fold was observed for BLLJ_1837 in the presence of erythromycin, as measured by multiplex quantitative PCR. In contrast to this, the expression of the genes of the BLLJ_1495/1494 operon in L. lactis did not show significant drug resistance functionality. Gel shift experiments showed that in the BLLJ_1495/1494 operon, the putative MarR-type regulator protein (BLLJ_1496) bound with high affinity to the DNA sequence upstream of the operon in which it was located but this was not erythromycin dependent. This study demonstrated the occurrence of a drug inducible, ABC-type transporter system (BLLJ_1837/1836) in B. longum as well as a putative MarR-type DNA binding protein (BLLJ_1496).

Comparative proteome analysis of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis grown on β-glucans from different sources and a model for their utilization

Recent studies have demonstrated that β-glucans from different sources, which are considered as potential prebiotics, could enhance growth of bifidobacteria. To elucidate the metabolic pathway of β-glucans in the widely used probiotic B. longum subsp. infantis, a comparative proteomic analysis was carried out along with two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), real-time RT-PCR, and enzyme activity assay on samples obtained from cultures grown on β-glucans derived from barley, seaweed, and mushroom. Results showed that 77 spots were found to be differentially expressed among different cultures, and 17 of them were predicted to play a role in β-glucan catabolism, including ABC transporter for sugars, enolase, and phosphotransferase system protein. Among them, 6 genes encoding for 6 proteins were shown to be induced by β-glucans at the transcriptional level and had higher abundance. The enzyme activity assay detected intracellular glucanase activity present in the cultures grown on the β-glucans from seaweed and mushroom. On the basis of the above results, a model for catabolism of β-glucans in B. infantis is proposed as follows: β-glucan molecules in the medium are transported into the cell through the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transport system and PTS (phosphotransferase system) proteins followed by hydrolysis through action of intracellular glucanase to glucose, which is subsequently incorporated into the central fermentative pathway 'bifid shunt'. This study for the first time reveals the possible degradation pathway of β-glucans by B. infantis, which has implications for potential use of these β-glucans as novel prebiotics in development of synbiotic application.

Diversity of faecal oxalate-degrading bacteria in black and white South African study groups: insights into understanding the rarity of urolithiasis in the black group

AIM

To examine whether enhanced diversity or numbers of oxalate-degrading bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of black South Africans play a role in determining the rarity of urolithiasis in this group.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fresh faecal samples collected from healthy black and white South African male volunteers were analysed in terms of bacterial oxalate-degrading activity, bacterial diversity and relative species abundance. Varied bacterial populations prepared from samples from the low-risk black group showed a significantly higher level of oxalate degradation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of Lactobacillus and related spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. 16S rRNA PCR products revealed a significantly higher faecal Lactobacillus diversity for the low-risk black group relative to the higher-risk white group. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments did not show any significant differences between the study groups for Lactobacillus and related spp.. However, Bifidobacterium spp. were present at a significantly higher relative abundance in the black group. Oxalobacter formigenes was present only at very low levels in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The low abundance of O. formigenes and increased diversity and abundance of oxalate-degrading Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in the black South African population suggest that these strains rather than O. formigenes may protect this group against calcium oxalate kidney stone disease.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The South African black population harbours a pool of potential oxalate-degrading lactic acid bacteria, which is more abundant and diverse than that of white South Africans. This may be useful in developing probiotics for calcium oxalate kidney stone prophylaxis.

ATP-dependent fructose uptake system in Deinococcus radiodurans

The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent group translocation system (PTS) requires the presence of both membrane-bound and cytoplasmic components to phosphorylate and translocate sugar. Deinococcus radiodurans has a functional fruA gene coding for the membrane-bound components of the fructose-specific PTS. However, fruB gene coding for the fructose-specific cytosolic components of PTS is a pseudogene. Yet, this bacterium metabolized fructose readily. In vitro studies showed that both cell membranes and cytoplasmic fractions of the cells were needed for fructose phosphorylation. Further studies showed that fructose phosphorylation required ATP, not PEP, as the phosphate donor. Unlike most PEP-dependent PTS systems, fructose phosphorylation is sensitive to sodium fluoride, a kinase inhibitor. Fructose phosphorylation was also inhibited in the presence of antiserum against a kinase phosphorylation site. Rhodobacter capsulatus has a functional fruA-fruB system. Complementation assays by reconstituting the membrane fraction of D. radiodurans to the cytoplasmic fraction of R. capsulatus resulted in a PEP-dependent fructose phosphorylation, whereas mixing the membranes of R. capsulatus and the deinococcal cytosol in vitro resulted in an ATP-dependent fructose phosphorylation.

Carbohydrate metabolism in Bifidobacteria

Members of the genus Bifidobacterium can be found as components of the gastrointestinal microbiota, and are believed to play an important role in maintaining and promoting human health by eliciting a number of beneficial properties. Bifidobacteria can utilize a diverse range of dietary carbohydrates that escape degradation in the upper parts of the intestine, many of which are plant-derived oligo- and polysaccharides. The gene content of a bifidobacterial genome reflects this apparent metabolic adaptation to a complex carbohydrate-rich gastrointestinal tract environment as it encodes a large number of predicted carbohydrate-modifying enzymes. Different bifidobacterial strains may possess different carbohydrate utilizing abilities, as established by a number of studies reviewed here. Carbohydrate-degrading activities described for bifidobacteria and their relevance to the deliberate enhancement of number and/or activity of bifidobacteria in the gut are also discussed in this review.

Genomic insights into bifidobacteria

Since the discovery in 1899 of bifidobacteria as numerically dominant microbes in the feces of breast-fed infants, there have been numerous studies addressing their role in modulating gut microflora as well as their other potential health benefits. Because of this, they are frequently incorporated into foods as probiotic cultures. An understanding of their full interactions with intestinal microbes and the host is needed to scientifically validate any health benefits they may afford. Recently, the genome sequences of nine strains representing four species of Bifidobacterium became available. A comparative genome analysis of these genomes reveals a likely efficient capacity to adapt to their habitats, with B. longum subsp. infantis exhibiting more genomic potential to utilize human milk oligosaccharides, consistent with its habitat in the infant gut. Conversely, B. longum subsp. longum exhibits a higher genomic potential for utilization of plant-derived complex carbohydrates and polyols, consistent with its habitat in an adult gut. An intriguing observation is the loss of much of this genome potential when strains are adapted to pure culture environments, as highlighted by the genomes of B. animalis subsp. lactis strains, which exhibit the least potential for a gut habitat and are believed to have evolved from the B. animalis species during adaptation to dairy fermentation environments.

Transport of glucose by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis occurs via facilitated diffusion

Two strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis were indistinguishable by several nucleic acid-based techniques; however, the type strain DSMZ 10140 was glucose utilization positive, while RB 4825, an industrially employed strain, was unable to grow rapidly on glucose as the principal carbon source. This difference was attributed to the presence of a low-affinity facilitated-diffusion glucose transporter identified in DSMZ 10140 but lacking in RB 4825. Uptake of D-[U-(14)C]glucose in DSMZ 10140 was stimulated by monovalent cations (ammonium, sodium, potassium, and lithium) and inhibited by divalent cations (calcium and magnesium). When competitor carbohydrates were included in the uptake assays, stereospecific inhibition was exhibited, with greater competition by methyl-beta-glucoside than methyl-alpha-glucoside. Significant inhibition (>30%) was observed with phloretin, an inhibitor of facilitated diffusion of glucose, whereas there was no inhibition by sodium fluoride, iodoacetate, sodium arsenate, sodium azide, 2,4-dinitrophenol, monensin, or valinomycin, which typically reduce energy-driven transport. Based on kinetic analyses, the mean values for K(t) and V(max) were 14.8 +/- 3.4 mM D-glucose and 0.13 +/- 0.03 micromol glucose/min/mg cell protein, respectively. Glucose uptake by several glucose-utilizing commercial strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis was also inhibited by phloretin, indicating the presence of facilitated diffusion glucose transporters in those strains. Since DSMZ 10140 has been previously reported to lack a functional glucose phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system, the glucose transporter identified here is responsible for much of the organism's glucose uptake.

Ins and outs of glucose transport systems in eubacteria

Glucose is the classical carbon source that is used to investigate the transport, metabolism, and regulation of nutrients in bacteria. Many physiological phenomena like nutrient limitation, stress responses, production of antibiotics, and differentiation are inextricably linked to nutrition. Over the years glucose transport systems have been characterized at the molecular level in more than 20 bacterial species. This review aims to provide an overview of glucose uptake systems found in the eubacterial kingdom. In addition, it will highlight the diverse and sophisticated regulatory features of glucose transport systems.

Bifidobacterium carbohydrases-their role in breakdown and synthesis of (potential) prebiotics

There is an increasing interest to positively influence the human intestinal microbiota through the diet by the use of prebiotics and/or probiotics. It is anticipated that this will balance the microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract in favor of health promoting genera such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Carbohydrates like non-digestible oligosaccharides are potential prebiotics. To understand how these bacteria can grow on these carbon sources, knowledge of the carbohydrate-modifying enzymes is needed. Little is known about the carbohydrate-modifying enzymes of bifidobacteria. The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum biotype longum has been completed and it was observed that for B. longum biotype longum more than 8% of the annotated genes were involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition more sequence data of individual carbohydrases from other Bifidobacterium spp. became available. Besides the degradation of (potential) prebiotics by bifidobacterial glycoside hydrolases, we will focus in this review on the possibilities to produce new classes of non-digestible oligosaccharides by showing the presence and (transglycosylation) activity of the most important carbohydrate modifying enzymes in bifidobacteria. Approaches to use and improve carbohydrate-modifying enzymes in prebiotic design will be discussed.

From bacterial genome to functionality; case bifidobacteria

The availability of complete bacterial genome sequences has significantly furthered our understanding of the genetics, physiology and biochemistry of the microorganisms in question, particularly those that have commercially important applications. Bifidobacteria are among such microorganisms, as they constitute mammalian commensals of biotechnological significance due to their perceived role in maintaining a balanced gastrointestinal (GIT) microflora. Bifidobacteria are therefore frequently used as health-promoting or probiotic components in functional food products. A fundamental understanding of the metabolic activities employed by these commensal bacteria, in particular their capability to utilize a wide range of complex oligosaccharides, can reveal ways to provide in vivo growth advantages relative to other competing gut bacteria or pathogens. Furthermore, an in depth analysis of adaptive responses to nutritional or environmental stresses may provide methodologies to retain viability and improve functionality during commercial preparation, storage and delivery of the probiotic organism.

Genomics of Actinobacteria: tracing the evolutionary history of an ancient phylum

Actinobacteria constitute one of the largest phyla among bacteria and represent gram-positive bacteria with a high G+C content in their DNA. This bacterial group includes microorganisms exhibiting a wide spectrum of morphologies, from coccoid to fragmenting hyphal forms, as well as possessing highly variable physiological and metabolic properties. Furthermore, Actinobacteria members have adopted different lifestyles, and can be pathogens (e.g., Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Tropheryma, and Propionibacterium), soil inhabitants (Streptomyces), plant commensals (Leifsonia), or gastrointestinal commensals (Bifidobacterium). The divergence of Actinobacteria from other bacteria is ancient, making it impossible to identify the phylogenetically closest bacterial group to Actinobacteria. Genome sequence analysis has revolutionized every aspect of bacterial biology by enhancing the understanding of the genetics, physiology, and evolutionary development of bacteria. Various actinobacterial genomes have been sequenced, revealing a wide genomic heterogeneity probably as a reflection of their biodiversity. This review provides an account of the recent explosion of actinobacterial genomics data and an attempt to place this in a biological and evolutionary context.

Identification and characterization of a fructose phosphotransferase system in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003

In silico analysis of the Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 genome allowed identification of four genetic loci, each of which specifies a putative enzyme II (EII) protein of a phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system. The EII encoded by fruA, a clear homologue of the unique EIIBCA enzyme encoded by the Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 genome, was studied in more detail. The fruA gene is part of an operon which contains fruT, which is predicted to encode a homologue of the Bacillus subtilis antiterminator LicT. Transcriptional analysis showed that the fru operon is induced by fructose. The genetic structure, complementation studies, and the observed transcription pattern of the fru operon suggest that the EII encoded in B. breve is involved in fructose transport and that its expression is controlled by an antiterminator mechanism. Biochemical studies unequivocally demonstrated that FruA phosphorylates fructose at the C-6 position.

Genomics as a means to understand bacterial phylogeny and ecological adaptation: the case of bifidobacteria

The field of microbiology has in recent years been transformed by the ever increasing number of publicly available whole-genome sequences. This sequence information has significantly enhanced our understanding of the physiology, genetics and evolutionary development of bacteria. Among the latter group of microorganisms, bifidobacteria represent important human commensals because of their perceived contribution to maintaining a balanced gastrointestinal tract microbiota. In recent years bifidobacteria have drawn much scientific attention because of their use as live bacteria in numerous food preparations with various health-related claims. For this reason, these bacteria constitute a growing area of interest with respect to genomics, molecular biology and genetics. Recent genome sequencing of a number of bifidobacterial species has allowed access to the complete genetic make-up of these bacteria. In this review we will discuss how genomic data has allowed us to understand bifidobacterial evolution, while also revealing genetic functions that explains their presence in the particular ecological environment of the gastrointestinal tract.

Substrate preference of Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239: compared growth on single and mixed carbohydrates

The utilization of mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides by Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239 was investigated. Raffinose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), lactose, and the monomeric moieties glucose and fructose were used. To establish a hierarchy of sugars preference, the kinetics of growth and sugar consumption were determined on individual and mixed carbohydrates. On single carbon sources, higher specific growth rates and cell yields were attained on di- and oligosaccharides compared to monosaccharides. Analysis of the carbohydrates in steady-state chemostat cultures, growing at the same dilution rate on FOS, lactose, or raffinose, showed that monomeric units and hydrolysis products were present. In chemostat cultures on individual carbohydrates, B. adolescentis MB 239 simultaneously displayed alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-fructofuranosidase activities on all the sugars, including monosaccharides. Glycosyl hydrolytic activities were found in cytosol, cell surface, and growth medium. Batch experiments on mixtures of carbohydrates showed that they were co-metabolized by B. adolescentis MB 239, even if different disappearance kinetics were registered. When mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides were simultaneously present in the medium, no precedence for monosaccharides utilization was observed, and di- and oligosaccharides were consumed before their constitutive moieties.

Lactose-over-glucose preference in Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705: glcP, encoding a glucose transporter, is subject to lactose repression

Analysis of culture supernatants obtained from Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 grown on glucose and lactose revealed that glucose utilization is impaired until depletion of lactose. Thus, unlike many other bacteria, B. longum preferentially uses lactose rather than glucose as the primary carbon source. Glucose uptake experiments with B. longum cells showed that glucose transport was repressed in the presence of lactose. A comparative analysis of global gene expression profiling using DNA arrays led to the identification of only one gene repressed by lactose, the putative glucose transporter gene glcP. The functionality of GlcP as glucose transporter was demonstrated by heterologous complementation of a glucose transport-deficient Escherichia coli strain. Additionally, GlcP exhibited the highest substrate specificity for glucose. Primer extension and real-time PCR analyses confirmed that expression of glcP was mediated by lactose. Hence, our data demonstrate that the presence of lactose in culture medium leads to the repression of glucose transport and transcriptional down-regulation of the glucose transporter gene glcP. This may reflect the highly adapted life-style of B. longum in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals.

A proteome reference map and proteomic analysis of Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705

A comprehensive proteomic study was carried out to identify and characterize proteins expressed by Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705. A total of 708 spots representing 369 protein entries were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and/or ESI-MS/MS. Isoelectric point values estimated by gel electrophoresis matched closely with their predicted ones, although some discrepancies exist suggesting that post-translational protein modifications might be common in B. longum. The identified proteins represent 21.4% of the predicted 1727 ORFs in the genome and correspond to 30% of the predicted proteome. Moreover 95 hypothetical proteins were experimentally identified. This is the first compilation of a proteomic reference map for the important probiotic organism B. longum NCC2705. The study aimed to define a number of cellular pathways related to important physiological processes at the proteomic level. Proteomic comparison of glucose- and fructose-grown cells revealed that fructose and glucose are catabolized via the same degradation pathway. Interestingly the sugar-binding protein specific to fructose (BL0033) and Frk showed higher levels of expression in cells grown on fructose than on glucose as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR. BL0033 time course and concentration experiments showed that the induction time and fructose concentration correlates to increased expression of BL0033. At the same time, an ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter ATP-binding protein (BL0034) was slightly up-regulated in cells grown on fructose compared with glucose. All of the above results suggest that the uptake of fructose into the cell may be conducted by a specific transport system in which BL0033 might play an important role.

A functional analysis of the Bifidobacterium longum cscA and scrP genes in sucrose utilization

The role of genes involved in sucrose catabolism was investigated with a view to designing effective prebiotic substrates to encourage the growth of Bifidobacterium in the gut. Two gene clusters coding for sucrose utilisation in Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 were identified in the published genome. The genes encoding putative sucrose degrading enzymes, namely, the scrP (sucrose phosphorylase) and the cscA (beta-fructofuranosidase), were cloned from B. longum NCIMB 702259(T) and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5alpha. Both complemented the sucrase negative phenotype of untransformed cells and showed specific sucrase activity. Transcriptional analysis of the expression of the genes in B. longum grown in the presence of various carbohydrate substrates showed induction of scrP gene expression in the presence of sucrose and raffinose, but not in the presence of glucose. The cscA gene showed no increased transcription in B. longum grown in the presence of any of the carbohydrates tested. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the B. longum CscA protein belongs to a distinct phylogenetic cluster of intracellular fructosidases, which specifically cleave the shorter fructose oligosaccharides.

A bile salt-resistant derivative of Bifidobacterium animalis has an altered fermentation pattern when grown on glucose and maltose

The growth of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis IPLA 4549 and its derivative with acquired resistance to bile, B. animalis subsp. lactis 4549dOx, was evaluated in batch cultures with glucose or the glucose disaccharide maltose as the main carbon source. The acquisition of bile salt resistance caused a change in growth pattern for both sugars, which mainly resulted in a preferential use of maltose compared to glucose, whereas the mother strain used both carbohydrates in a similar way. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses were performed to determine the amounts of glucose consumption and organic acid and ethanol formation from glucose by buffered resting cells taken at different points during growth. Resting cells of the bile-adapted strain generally consumed less glucose than those of the nonadapted one but showed an enhanced production of ethanol and higher acetic acid-to-lactic acid as well as formic acid-to-lactic acid ratios. These findings suggest a shift in the catabolism of carbohydrates promoted by the acquisition of bile resistance that may cause changes in the redox potential and improvements in the cellular ATP yield.

Induction of sucrose utilization genes from Bifidobacterium lactis by sucrose and raffinose

The probiotic organism Bifidobacterium lactis was isolated from a yoghurt starter culture with the aim of analyzing its use of carbohydrates for the development of prebiotics. A sucrose utilization gene cluster of B. lactis was identified by complementation of a gene library in Escherichia coli. Three genes, encoding a sucrose phosphorylase (ScrP), a GalR-LacI-type transcriptional regulator (ScrR), and a sucrose transporter (ScrT), were identified by sequence analysis. The scrP gene was expressed constitutively from its own promoter in E. coli grown in complete medium, and the strain hydrolyzed sucrose in a reaction that was dependent on the presence of phosphates. Primer extension experiments with scrP performed by using RNA isolated from B. lactis identified the transcriptional start site 102 bp upstream of the ATG start codon, immediately adjacent to a palindromic sequence resembling a regulator binding site. In B. lactis, total sucrase activity was induced by the presence of sucrose, raffinose, or oligofructose in the culture medium and was repressed by glucose. RNA analysis of the scrP, scrR, and scrT genes in B. lactis indicated that expression of these genes was influenced by transcriptional regulation and that all three genes were similarly induced by sucrose and raffinose and repressed by glucose. Analysis of the sucrase activities of deletion constructs in heterologous E. coli indicated that ScrR functions as a positive regulator.

A new selective medium for the isolation of glucose non-fermenting bifidobacteria from hen caeca

Avian caeca contain a large and diverse population of bacteria. Certain genera, including Bifidobacterium, are thought to exert health-promoting effects. Two media were evaluated to determine their sensitivity and selectivity for bifidobacteria in the hen caecal samples: modified Wilkins-Chalgren agar (MW; Oxoid) with the addition of glacial acetic acid (1 ml/l) and mupirocin (100 mg/l) and modified TPY agar (MTPY; ADSA, Spain) with glacial acetic acid (1 ml/l) and mupirocin (100 mg/l). The colonies arising on the plates inoculated with caecal samples were Gram stained, screened for the presence of fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase activity, and tested for fermentation patterns using ANAEROtest (Lachema, Czech Republic) and API 50 CHL (BioMérieux, France) kits. Both agars were selective for bifidobacteria, however, MTPY agar showed higher cfu/g than MW agar. Bifidobacterial counts were higher than 10(10) cfu/g of caecal contents using MTPY agar. Most of strains isolated from this medium fermented melibiose, sucrose, and raffinose, but not glucose. Soya peptone (5 g/l; Oxoid) stimulated the growth of glucose non-fermenting strains in complex liquid media. The results suggest that the media for selective enumeration and isolation of bifidobacteria in poultry caecal samples should not contain glucose as the sole carbon source. It can be concluded that MTPY medium is highly selective and permits the growth of both glucose fermenting and glucose non-fermenting bifidobacteria.

Complementary effects of bifidogenic growth stimulators and ammonium sulfate in natural rubber serum powder on Bifidobacterium bifidum

Natural rubber serum powder, rich in crude protein and carbohydrates, had a strong growth-stimulating activity for Bifidobacterium bifidum JCM 1254, which was unable to grow in a fully synthetic medium, B12 assay medium. Natural rubber serum powder was fractionated by ultrafiltration (molecular weight cutoff 1000). The active ultrafiltrate was further concentrated and desalted with an adsorptive microconcentrator, which adsorbs virtually all amino acids and peptides. Through this purification step, it was found that the adsorbed fraction obtained did not stimulate growth independently but acted complementarily with a small amount of ammonium sulfate. The adsorbed fraction was subsequently analyzed on reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography, and the activities of the eluates were measured on B12 assay medium with ammonium sulfate. Consequently, it was proved that several peptidic ingredients in the adsorbed fraction increased the growth of B. bifidum.