1
|
Costa GCA, Silva FAA, Torquato RJS, Silva Vaz I, Parizi LF, Tanaka AS. Evaluation of the biological function of ribosomal protein S18 from cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102333. [PMID: 38522220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, also known as the cattle tick, causes severe parasitism and transmits different pathogens to vertebrate hosts, leading to massive economic losses. In the present study, we performed a functional characterization of a ribosomal protein from R. microplus to investigate its importance in blood feeding, egg production and viability. Ribosomal protein S18 (RPS18) is part of the 40S subunit, associated with 18S rRNA, and has been previously pointed to have a secondary role in different organisms. Rhipicephalus microplus RPS18 (RmRPS18) gene expression levels were modulated in female salivary glands during blood feeding. Moreover, mRNA levels in this tissue were 10 times higher than those in the midgut of fully engorged female ticks. Additionally, recombinant RmRPS18 was recognized by IgG antibodies from sera of cattle naturally or experimentally infested with ticks. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the RmRPS18 gene was performed in fully engorged females, leading to a significant (29 %) decrease in egg production. Additionally, egg hatching was completely impaired, suggesting that no viable eggs were produced by the RmRPS18-silenced group. Furthermore, antimicrobial assays revealed inhibitory activities against gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, affecting bacterial growth. Data presented here show the important role of RmRPS18 in tick physiology and suggest that RmRPS18 can be a potential target for the development of novel strategies for tick control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C A Costa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade de Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando A A Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade de Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo J S Torquato
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade de Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Itabajara Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), RJ, Brazil
| | - Luís F Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), RS, Brazil
| | - Aparecida S Tanaka
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade de Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
da Silva FMR, Paggi GM, Brust FR, Macedo AJ, Silva DB. Metabolomic Strategies to Improve Chemical Information from OSMAC Studies of Endophytic Fungi. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020236. [PMID: 36837855 PMCID: PMC9961420 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics strategies are important tools to get holistic chemical information from a system, but they are scarcely applied to endophytic fungi to understand their chemical profiles of biosynthesized metabolites. Here Penicillium sp. was cultured using One Strain Many Compounds (OSMAC) conditions as a model system to demonstrate how this strategy can help in understanding metabolic profiles and determining bioactive metabolites with the application of metabolomics and statistical analyses, as well as molecular networking. Penicillium sp. was fermented in different culture media and the crude extracts from mycelial biomass (CEm) and broth (CEb) were obtained, evaluated against bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the metabolomic profiles by LC-DAD-MS were obtained and chemometrics statistical analyses were applied. The CEm and CEb extracts presented different chemical profiles and antibacterial activities; the highest activities observed were against S. aureus from CEm (MIC = 16, 64, and 128 µg/mL). The antibacterial properties from the extracts were impacted for culture media from which the strain was fermented. From the Volcano plot analysis, it was possible to determine statistically the most relevant features for the antibacterial activity, which were also confirmed from biplots of PCA as strong features for the bioactive extracts. These compounds included 75 (13-oxoverruculogen isomer), 78 (austalide P acid), 87 (austalide L or W), 88 (helvamide), 92 (viridicatumtoxin A), 96 (austalide P), 101 (dihydroaustalide K), 106 (austalide k), 110 (spirohexaline), and 112 (pre-viridicatumtoxin). Thus, these features included diketopiperazines, meroterpenoids, and polyketides, such as indole alkaloids, austalides, and viridicatumtoxin A, a rare tetracycline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Motta Ribeiro da Silva
- Laboratory of Natural Products and Mass Spectrometry (LaPNEM), Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Gecele Matos Paggi
- Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (LEBio), Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Flávia Roberta Brust
- Biofilms and Diversity Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Alexandre José Macedo
- Biofilms and Diversity Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Denise Brentan Silva
- Laboratory of Natural Products and Mass Spectrometry (LaPNEM), Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Interfering with cholesterol metabolism impairs tick embryo development and turns eggs susceptible to bacterial colonization. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101790. [PMID: 34325088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a known precursor of arthropod molecules such as the hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone and the antimicrobial boophiline, a component of tick egg wax coat. Because the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway is absent in ticks, it is necessarily obtained from the blood meal, in a still poorly understood process. In contrast, dietary cholesterol absorption is better studied in insects, and many proteins are involved in its metabolism, including Niemann-Pick C (NPC) transporter and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), as well as enzymes to convert between free cholesterol and esterified cholesterol. The present work addresses the hypothesis that tick viability can be impaired by interfering with cholesterol metabolism, proposing this route as a target for novel tick control methods. Two drugs, ezetimibe (NPC inhibitor) and avasimibe (ACAT inhibitor) were added to calf blood and used to artificially feed Rhipicephalus microplus females. Results show that, after ingesting avasimibe, tick reproductive ability and egg development are impaired. Also, eggs laid by females fed with avasimibe did not hatch and were susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion and biofilm formation in their surfaces. The immunoprotective potential of ACAT against ticks was also accessed using two selected ACAT peptides. Antibodies against these peptides were used to artificially feed female ticks, but no deleterious effects were observed. Taken together, data presented here support the hypothesis that enzymes and other proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism are suitable as targets for tick control methods.
Collapse
|
4
|
Pictorial dissection guide and internal anatomy of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101685. [PMID: 33611153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are pests and vectors of diseases that are of public health and veterinary importance. The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), is one of the most studied tick species because of its impact on livestock health and production in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world, costing the cattle industry billions annually. Control methods have evolved throughout the years but so has R. microplus. Reliance upon chemical control has created a consistent need to develop new technologies to overcome the pesticide resistance that occurs as the ticks adapt. In order to utilize the more advanced tools such as RNAi or Crispr/Cas9 systems, tick tissues need to be isolated and manipulated. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of dissection guides available providing a detailed view of tick internal anatomy. This manual includes photomicrographs to guide the dissection of R. microplus adults, male and female. Topography and anatomical differences between the internal organs of unfed and gravid adult females are described. We were able to locate the crucial tissues for cattle tick physiology and lay out spatial and temporal guidelines for their identification and dissection. Examples of how this information can be used at the nexus between organismal and molecular research to innovate tick control technologies is discussed.
Collapse
|
5
|
BILGIN N, HACIOGLU M, BOZKURT C, ERDAL B, KAR S. In-vitro anticandidial efficacy of tick egg wax from Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Dermacentor marginatus. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.707924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
6
|
Aguilera E, Perdomo C, Espindola A, Corvo I, Faral-Tello P, Robello C, Serna E, Benítez F, Riveros R, Torres S, Vera de Bilbao NI, Yaluff G, Alvarez G. A Nature-Inspired Design Yields a New Class of Steroids Against Trypanosomatids. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24203800. [PMID: 31652542 PMCID: PMC6832524 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24203800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis are neglected endemic protozoan diseases recognized as public health problems by the World Health Organization. These diseases affect millions of people around the world however, efficient and low-cost treatments are not available. Different steroid molecules with antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity were isolated from diverse organisms (ticks, plants, fungi). These molecules have complex structures that make de novo synthesis extremely difficult. In this work, we designed new and simpler compounds with antiparasitic potential inspired in natural steroids and synthesized a series of nineteen steroidal arylideneketones and thiazolidenehydrazines. We explored their biological activity against Leishmania infantum, Leishmania amazonensis, and Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. We also assayed their genotoxicity and acute toxicity in vitro and in mice. The best compound, a steroidal thiosemicarbazone compound 8 (ID_1260) was active in vitro (IC50 200 nM) and in vivo (60% infection reduction at 50 mg/kg) in Leishmania and T. cruzi. It also has low toxicity in vitro and in vivo (LD50 >2000 mg/kg) and no genotoxic effects, being a promising compound for anti-trypanosomatid drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Aguilera
- Grupo de Química Medicinal-Laboratorio de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo C.P. 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Cintya Perdomo
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Ruta 3 (km 363), Paysandú C.P. 60000, Uruguay.
| | - Alejandra Espindola
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Ruta 3 (km 363), Paysandú C.P. 60000, Uruguay.
| | - Ileana Corvo
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Ruta 3 (km 363), Paysandú C.P. 60000, Uruguay.
| | - Paula Faral-Tello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo C.P. 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo C.P. 11400, Uruguay.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay.
| | - Elva Serna
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Fátima Benítez
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Rocío Riveros
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Susana Torres
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Ninfa I Vera de Bilbao
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Gloria Yaluff
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo C.P. 2169., Paraguay.
| | - Guzmán Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Ruta 3 (km 363), Paysandú C.P. 60000, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Souza dos Santos B, Bezerra Filho CM, Alves do Nascimento Junior JA, Brust FR, Bezerra-Silva PC, Lino da Rocha SK, Krogfelt KA, Maria do Amaral Ferraz Navarro D, Tereza dos Santos Correia M, Napoleão TH, Nascimento da Silva LC, Macedo AJ, Vanusa da Silva M, Guedes Paiva PM. Anti-staphylococcal activity of Syagrus coronata essential oil: Biofilm eradication and in vivo action on Galleria mellonela infection model. Microb Pathog 2019; 131:150-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
8
|
Xavier MA, Tirloni L, Pinto AF, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Gonzales S, Farber M, da Silva Vaz I, Termignoni C. Tick Gené’s organ engagement in lipid metabolism revealed by a combined transcriptomic and proteomic approach. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:787-797. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
9
|
Babczyńska A, Sułowicz S, Talik E, Hermyt M, Bednarek A, Sawadro M, Molenda A. Sterile Capsule-Egg Cocoon Covering Constitutes an Antibacterial Barrier for Spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum Embryos. Physiol Biochem Zool 2019; 92:115-124. [PMID: 30601104 DOI: 10.1086/701390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Coexistence of organisms and pathogens has resulted in the evolution of efficient antimicrobial defense, especially at the embryonic stage. This investigation aimed to substantiate the hypothesis that the layers of silk in a spider cocoon play a role in the immunity of the embryos against microorganisms present in the external environment. A two-step interdisciplinary attempt has been made. First, the eggs and empty cocoons of the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum were incubated on lysogeny broth agar media for 3 d. In the samples of eggs, no growth of bacteria was detected. This indicated that the eggs inside cocoons were sterile. Therefore, in the second step, the cocoons and egg surface were analyzed using SEM, TEM, and LM. The obtained images demonstrated that both inner and outer layers of the silk are built of threads of the same diameter, set in an irregular manner, and randomly clustered into groups. The threads in the outer layer were packed more densely than in the inner one. TEM analysis revealed threads of two types of fibrils and their arrangement. The resultant thread tangle of the cocoon, possibly correlated with the ultrastructure of the fibers, seems to be an example of a structure-function relationship playing a crucial ecoimmunological role in spider embryonic development.
Collapse
|
10
|
Silva LN, Zimmer KR, Macedo AJ, Trentin DS. Plant Natural Products Targeting Bacterial Virulence Factors. Chem Rev 2016; 116:9162-236. [PMID: 27437994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Decreased antimicrobial efficiency has become a global public health issue. The paucity of new antibacterial drugs is evident, and the arsenal against infectious diseases needs to be improved urgently. The selection of plants as a source of prototype compounds is appropriate, since plant species naturally produce a wide range of secondary metabolites that act as a chemical line of defense against microorganisms in the environment. Although traditional approaches to combat microbial infections remain effective, targeting microbial virulence rather than survival seems to be an exciting strategy, since the modulation of virulence factors might lead to a milder evolutionary pressure for the development of resistance. Additionally, anti-infective chemotherapies may be successfully achieved by combining antivirulence and conventional antimicrobials, extending the lifespan of these drugs. This review presents an updated discussion of natural compounds isolated from plants with chemically characterized structures and activity against the major bacterial virulence factors: quorum sensing, bacterial biofilms, bacterial motility, bacterial toxins, bacterial pigments, bacterial enzymes, and bacterial surfactants. Moreover, a critical analysis of the most promising virulence factors is presented, highlighting their potential as targets to attenuate bacterial virulence. The ongoing progress in the field of antivirulence therapy may therefore help to translate this promising concept into real intervention strategies in clinical areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nunes Silva
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90610-000, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Karine Rigon Zimmer
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Alexandre José Macedo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90610-000, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional do Semiárido , Campina Grande, Paraı́ba 58429-970, Brazil
| | - Danielle Silva Trentin
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90610-000, Brazil.,Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 91501-970, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
da Silva Negreiros Neto T, Gardner D, Hallwass F, Leite AJM, de Almeida CG, Silva LN, de Araújo Roque A, de Bitencourt FG, Barbosa EG, Tasca T, Macedo AJ, de Almeida MV, Giordani RB. Activity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids against biofilm formation and Trichomonas vaginalis. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:323-329. [PMID: 27399809 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Crotalaria genus belongs to the subfamily Papilionoideae comprising about 600 species spread throughout tropical, neotropical and subtropical regions. In this study, seeds of Crolatalaria pallida were used to the isolation of usaramine, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Thus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis were utilized as strains to test some activities of this alkaloid, such as antibiofilm and antibacterial. Meanwhile, monocrotaline obtained from Crotalaria retusa seeds, was used as the starting material for synthesis of necine base derivatives with anti-Trichomonas vaginalis potential. Alkaloids were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and GC-MS analysis. Usaramine demonstrated a highlighted antibiofilm activity against S. epidermidis by reducing more than 50% of biofilm formation without killing the bacteria, thus it could be assumed as a prototype for the development of new antibiofilm molecules for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes. Monocrotaline activity against T. vaginalis was evaluated and results indicated inhibition of 80% on parasite growth at 1mg/mL, in addition, neither cytotoxicity against vaginal epithelial cells nor hemolytic activity were observed. On the other hand, retronecine showed no anti-T. vaginalis activity while azido-retronecine was more active than monocrotaline killing 85% of the parasites at 1mg/mL. In conclusion, pyrrolizidine alkaloids are suggested as promising prototypes for new drugs especially for topical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dale Gardner
- USDA, ARS, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, UT 84341, USA.
| | - Fernando Hallwass
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Ana Jéssica Matias Leite
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Gustavo Cordeiro de Faria, SN, CEP 59010-180, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Camila Guimarães de Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Martelos, CEP 36036-330, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Laura Nunes Silva
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Farmácia, UFRGS, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Alan de Araújo Roque
- Herbário da UFRN, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, CEP 59078-970, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Gobbi de Bitencourt
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Euzébio Guimarães Barbosa
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Gustavo Cordeiro de Faria, SN, CEP 59010-180, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre José Macedo
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Farmácia, UFRGS, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Mauro Vieira de Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Martelos, CEP 36036-330, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
| | - Raquel Brandt Giordani
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Gustavo Cordeiro de Faria, SN, CEP 59010-180, Natal, RN, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Going beyond the Control of Quorum-Sensing to Combat Biofilm Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2016; 5:antibiotics5010003. [PMID: 27025518 PMCID: PMC4810405 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics5010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most bacteria attach to surfaces where they form a biofilm, cells embedded in a complex matrix of polymers. Cells in biofilms are much better protected against noxious agents than free-living cells. As a consequence it is very difficult to control pathogens with antibiotics in biofilm infections and novel targets are urgently needed. One approach aims at the communication between cells to form and to maintain a biofilm, a process called quorum-sensing. Water soluble small-sized molecules mediate this process and a number of antagonists of these compounds have been found. In this review natural compounds and synthetic drugs which do not interfere with the classical quorum-sensing compounds are discussed. For some of these compounds the targets are still not known, but others interfere with the formation of exopolysaccharides, virulence factors, or cell wall synthesis or they start an internal program of biofilm dispersal. Some of their targets are more conserved among pathogens than the receptors for quorum sensing autoinducers mediating quorum-sensing, enabling a broader application of the drug. The broad spectrum of mechanisms, the diversity of bioactive compounds, their activity against several targets, and the conservation of some targets among bacterial pathogens are promising aspects for several clinical applications of this type of biofilm-controlling compound in the future.
Collapse
|
13
|
Cattle tick-associated bacteria exert anti-biofilm and anti-Tritrichomonas foetus activities. Vet Microbiol 2013; 164:171-6. [PMID: 23434012 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Research on microbiota in cattle tick and the evaluation of its activity against other microorganisms can contribute to identify new molecules potentially useful to control infections caused by bacteria and protozoa. Biofilms pose increasing problems worldwide, mainly due to their resistance to antimicrobial therapies and host immune response. In this study we investigate the ability Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus-associated bacteria may exhibit to produce anti-biofilm and trichomonicidal compounds. Gut, ovary, salivary glands, and Gené organ were collected from engorged R. microplus female. Homogenates of each tissue were inoculated onto 15 distinct culture media. Anti-biofilm and trichomonicidal activities were analyzed by culturing each bacterium isolated in a liquid medium. Results showed that R. microplus cattle tick microflora varies for different tissues. Bacteria belonging to different genera (Aeromonas, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Castelaniella, Comamonas, Kocuria, and Microbacterium) were identified. Interestingly, all bacterial species found displayed pronounced activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, and also against the cattle pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus, confirming the hypothesis that cattle tick could be a source of bacteria active against pathogens. This is the first study showing that bacteria isolated from a tick exert anti-biofilm and trichomonicidal activities.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zimmer KR, Macedo AJ, Nicastro GG, Baldini RL, Termignoni C. Egg wax from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4:366-76. [PMID: 23583751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is constantly challenged during its life cycle by microorganisms present in their hosts or in the environment. Tick eggs may be especially vulnerable to environmental conditions because they are exposed to a rich and diverse microflora in the soil. Despite being oviposited in such hostile sites, tick eggs remain viable, suggesting that the egg surface has defense mechanisms against opportunistic and/or pathogenic organisms. R. microplus engorged females deposit a superficial wax layer onto their eggs during oviposition. This egg wax is essential for preventing desiccation as well as acting as a barrier against attack by microorganisms. In this study, we report the detection of anti-biofilm activity of R. microplus egg wax against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. Genes involved in the functions of production and maintenance of the biofilm extracellular matrix, pelA and cdrA, respectively, were markedly downregulated by a tick egg-wax extract. Moreover, this extract strongly inhibited fliC gene expression. Instead of a compact extracellular matrix, P. aeruginosa PA14 treated with egg-wax extract produces a fragile one. Also, the colony morphology of cells treated with egg-wax extract appears much paler and brownish, instead of the bright purple characteristic of normal colonies. Swarming motility was also inhibited by treatment with the egg-wax extract. The inhibition of P. aeruginosa biofilm does not seem to depend on inhibition of the quorum sensing system since mRNA levels of the 3 regulators of this system were not inhibited by egg-wax extract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine R Zimmer
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|