1
|
Vento JM, Durmusoglu D, Li T, Patinios C, Sullivan S, Ttofali F, van Schaik J, Yu Y, Wang Y, Barquist L, Crook N, Beisel CL. A cell-free transcription-translation pipeline for recreating methylation patterns boosts DNA transformation in bacteria. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2785-2796.e4. [PMID: 38936361 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.003] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial world offers diverse strains for understanding medical and environmental processes and for engineering synthetic biological chassis. However, genetically manipulating these strains has faced a long-standing bottleneck: how to efficiently transform DNA. Here, we report imitating methylation patterns rapidly in TXTL (IMPRINT), a generalized, rapid, and scalable approach based on cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) to overcome DNA restriction, a prominent barrier to transformation. IMPRINT utilizes TXTL to express DNA methyltransferases from a bacterium's restriction-modification systems. The expressed methyltransferases then methylate DNA in vitro to match the bacterium's DNA methylation pattern, circumventing restriction and enhancing transformation. With IMPRINT, we efficiently multiplex methylation by diverse DNA methyltransferases and enhance plasmid transformation in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. We also develop a high-throughput pipeline that identifies the most consequential methyltransferases, and we apply IMPRINT to screen a ribosome-binding site library in a hard-to-transform Bifidobacterium. Overall, IMPRINT can enhance DNA transformation, enabling the use of sophisticated genetic manipulation tools across the bacterial world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Vento
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Deniz Durmusoglu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Constantinos Patinios
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sean Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Fani Ttofali
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - John van Schaik
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Yanying Yu
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lars Barquist
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Nathan Crook
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shiver AL, Sun J, Culver R, Violette A, Wynter C, Nieckarz M, Mattiello SP, Sekhon PK, Friess L, Carlson HK, Wong D, Higginbottom S, Weglarz M, Wang W, Knapp BD, Guiberson E, Sanchez J, Huang PH, Garcia PA, Buie CR, Good B, DeFelice B, Cava F, Scaria J, Sonnenburg J, Sinderen DV, Deutschbauer AM, Huang KC. A mutant fitness compendium in Bifidobacteria reveals molecular determinants of colonization and host-microbe interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.29.555234. [PMID: 37693407 PMCID: PMC10491234 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Bifidobacteria commonly represent a dominant constituent of human gut microbiomes during infancy, influencing nutrition, immune development, and resistance to infection. Despite interest as a probiotic therapy, predicting the nutritional requirements and health-promoting effects of Bifidobacteria is challenging due to major knowledge gaps. To overcome these deficiencies, we used large-scale genetics to create a compendium of mutant fitness in Bifidobacterium breve (Bb). We generated a high density, randomly barcoded transposon insertion pool in Bb, and used this pool to determine Bb fitness requirements during colonization of germ-free mice and chickens with multiple diets and in response to hundreds of in vitro perturbations. To enable mechanistic investigation, we constructed an ordered collection of insertion strains covering 1462 genes. We leveraged these tools to improve models of metabolic pathways, reveal unexpected host- and diet-specific requirements for colonization, and connect the production of immunomodulatory molecules to growth benefits. These resources will greatly reduce the barrier to future investigations of this important beneficial microbe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L. Shiver
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Rebecca Culver
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Arvie Violette
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Charles Wynter
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Marta Nieckarz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden
| | - Samara Paula Mattiello
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
- College of Mathematics and Science, The University of Tennessee Southern, Pulaski TN 38478, USA
| | - Prabhjot Kaur Sekhon
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74074, USA
| | - Lisa Friess
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Hans K. Carlson
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Daniel Wong
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven Higginbottom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Meredith Weglarz
- Stanford Shared FACS Facility, Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Weigao Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Emma Guiberson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Po-Hsun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Energy and Microsystems Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA
| | - Paulo A. Garcia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Energy and Microsystems Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA
| | - Cullen R. Buie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Energy and Microsystems Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Good
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Felipe Cava
- Department of Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, SE-90187, Sweden
| | - Joy Scaria
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74074, USA
| | - Justin Sonnenburg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Douwe Van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Adam M. Deutschbauer
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kerwyn Casey Huang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Coelho MC, Costa C, Roupar D, Silva S, Rodrigues AS, Teixeira JA, Pintado ME. Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Tomato Flours Obtained after Conventional and Ohmic Heating Extraction and Its Prebiotic Properties. Foods 2023; 12:foods12091920. [PMID: 37174457 PMCID: PMC10178612 DOI: 10.3390/foods12091920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have supported the positive functional health effects of both prebiotics and probiotics on gut microbiota. Among these, the selective growth of beneficial bacteria due to the use of prebiotics and bioactive compounds as an energy and carbon source is critical to promote the development of healthy microbiota within the human gut. The present work aimed to assess the fermentability of tomato flour obtained after ohmic (SFOH) and conventional (SFCONV) extraction of phenolic compounds and carotenoids as well as their potential impact upon specific microbiota groups. To accomplish this, the attained bagasse flour was submitted to an in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal digestion before its potential fermentability and impact upon gut microbiota (using an in vitro fecal fermentation model). Different impacts on the probiotic strains studied were observed for SFCONV promoting the B. animalis growth, while SFOH promoted the B. longum, probably based on the different carbohydrate profiles of the flours. Overall, the flours used were capable of functioning as a direct substrate to support potential prebiotic growth for Bifidus longum. The fecal fermentation model results showed the highest Bacteroidetes growth with SFOH and the highest values of Bacteroides with SFCONV. A correlation between microorganisms' growth and short-chain fatty acids was also found. This by-product seems to promote beneficial effects on microbiota flora and could be a potential prebiotic ingredient, although more extensive in vivo trials would be necessary to confirm this.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta C Coelho
- CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - Célia Costa
- CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - Dalila Roupar
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Silva
- CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - A Sebastião Rodrigues
- Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José A Teixeira
- CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Manuela E Pintado
- CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang H, Huang X, Tan H, Chen X, Chen C, Nie S. Interaction between dietary fiber and bifidobacteria in promoting intestinal health. Food Chem 2022; 393:133407. [PMID: 35696956 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China.
| | - Huizi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Chunhua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Shaoping Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Science and Technology (Nanchang), Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Parhi P, Song KP, Choo WS. Growth and survival of Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum in various sugar systems with fructooligosaccharide supplementation. JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 59:3775-3786. [PMID: 36193365 PMCID: PMC9525548 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-022-05361-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effect of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) supplementation on the growth and survival of Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum in glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose (2, 3, and 4%) systems with 24-h growth and 10-day survival assays at 37 °C. FOS supplementation showed a higher growth-promoting effect on B. longum than B. breve in various sugar systems. The highest percentage of increase in growth index, 78.5%, was observed with 4% sucrose supplemented with 0.5% FOS in B. longum. In comparison, the highest percentage increase in growth index, 5.6 and 6.6%, was observed in the presence of 2% glucose and 4% lactose supplemented with 0.5% FOS in B. breve. In survival assay, FOS supplementation (0.5–4%) in a 2% lactose system showed the highest positive effect on the cell viability of B. longum on day-10. As for B. breve, FOS supplementation (1 and 2%) in the 2% sucrose system showed the highest positive effect on the cell viability, followed by FOS supplementation (0.5, 3, and 4%) in 2% sucrose and FOS supplementation (3 and 4%) in 2% lactose on day-10. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of FOS supplementation was depended on its concentration, sugar system and its concentration, and Bifidobacterium strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Parhi
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Keang Peng Song
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Wee Sim Choo
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lopez-Tello J, Schofield Z, Kiu R, Dalby MJ, van Sinderen D, Le Gall G, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Hall LJ. Maternal gut microbiota Bifidobacterium promotes placental morphogenesis, nutrient transport and fetal growth in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:386. [PMID: 35760917 PMCID: PMC9236968 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays a central role in regulating host metabolism. While substantial progress has been made in discerning how the microbiota influences host functions post birth and beyond, little is known about how key members of the maternal gut microbiota can influence feto-placental growth. Notably, in pregnant women, Bifidobacterium represents a key beneficial microbiota genus, with levels observed to increase across pregnancy. Here, using germ-free and specific-pathogen-free mice, we demonstrate that the bacterium Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 modulates maternal body adaptations, placental structure and nutrient transporter capacity, with implications for fetal metabolism and growth. Maternal and placental metabolome were affected by maternal gut microbiota (i.e. acetate, formate and carnitine). Histological analysis of the placenta confirmed that Bifidobacterium modifies placental structure via changes in Igf2P0, Dlk1, Mapk1 and Mapk14 expression. Additionally, B. breve UCC2003, acting through Slc2a1 and Fatp1-4 transporters, was shown to restore fetal glycaemia and fetal growth in association with changes in the fetal hepatic transcriptome. Our work emphasizes the importance of the maternal gut microbiota on feto-placental development and sets a foundation for future research towards the use of probiotics during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Zoe Schofield
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Raymond Kiu
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Matthew J Dalby
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Gwénaëlle Le Gall
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Bob Champion Research and Education Building, James Watson Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Lindsay J Hall
- Gut Microbes and Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Bob Champion Research and Education Building, James Watson Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.
- Chair of Intestinal Microbiome, School of Life Sciences, ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maximum depth sequencing reveals an ON/OFF replication slippage switch and apparent in vivo selection for bifidobacterial pilus expression. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9576. [PMID: 35688912 PMCID: PMC9187656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13668-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiome, of which the genus Bifidobacterium is a prevalent and abundant member, is thought to sustain and enhance human health. Several surface-exposed structures, including so-called sortase-dependent pili, represent important bifidobacterial gut colonization factors. Here we show that expression of two sortase-dependent pilus clusters of the prototype Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 depends on replication slippage at an intragenic G-tract, equivalents of which are present in various members of the Bifidobacterium genus. The nature and extent of this slippage is modulated by the host environment. Involvement of such sortase-dependent pilus clusters in microbe-host interactions, including bacterial attachment to the gut epithelial cells, has been shown previously and is corroborated here for one case. Using a Maximum Depth Sequencing strategy aimed at excluding PCR and sequencing errors introduced by DNA polymerase reagents, specific G-tract sequences in B. breve UCC2003 reveal a range of G-tract lengths whose plasticity within the population is functionally utilized. Interestingly, replication slippage is shown to be modulated under in vivo conditions in a murine model. This in vivo modulation causes an enrichment of a G-tract length which appears to allow biosynthesis of these sortase-dependent pili. This work provides the first example of productive replication slippage influenced by in vivo conditions. It highlights the potential for microdiversity generation in “beneficial” gut commensals.
Collapse
|
8
|
Gu J, Mao B, Cui S, Tang X, Liu Z, Zhao J, Zhang H. Bifidobacteria exhibited stronger ability to utilize fructooligosaccharides, compared with other bacteria in the mouse intestine. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2022; 102:2413-2423. [PMID: 34628644 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been identified as important prebiotics. Previous studies have found that they can significantly promote the proliferation of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum in the mouse intestine. However, it is still unclear which other bacteria in the mouse intestine can utilize FOS, and the differences in the ability to utilize FOS. In this study, the bacteria capable of utilizing FOS were isolated from mice feces and their ability to utilize FOS was compared. Draft genome sequencing was also applied to explain the differences in FOS utilization at the gene levels. RESULTS A total of 15 species were isolated from mouse feces and 13 species were able to utilize fructofuranosylnystose (GF2). Eleven species could utilize nistose (GF3), but not Enterococcus hirae and Lactobacillus reuteri. In contrast, 1-kestose (GF4) was hardly utilized. The enzyme activity determination and draft genome sequencing-based analyses revealed that all isolated species used the phosphotransferase system or permease system to transport FOS into the cells before hydrolysis by β-fructofuranosidase. Although β-fructofuranosidase exists in all strains, there are big differences in the corresponding coding genes between bifidobacteria and non-bifidobacteria. CONCLUSION Compared with the other isolates, Bifidobacterium species exhibited higher enzyme activity and shorter generation time, leading to a stronger ability to utilize FOS. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Bingyong Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Shumao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Xin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Zhenmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Dairy Biotechnology, Dairy Research Institute, Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen J, Chen X, Ho CL. Recent Development of Probiotic Bifidobacteria for Treating Human Diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:770248. [PMID: 35004640 PMCID: PMC8727868 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.770248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterium is a non-spore-forming, Gram-positive, anaerobic probiotic actinobacterium and commonly found in the gut of infants and the uterine region of pregnant mothers. Like all probiotics, Bifidobacteria confer health benefits on the host when administered in adequate amounts, showing multifaceted probiotic effects. Examples include B. bifidum, B. breve, and B. longum, common Bifidobacterium strains employed to prevent and treat gastrointestinal disorders, including intestinal infections and cancers. Herein, we review the latest development in probiotic Bifidobacteria research, including studies on the therapeutic impact of Bifidobacterial species on human health and recent efforts in engineering Bifidobacterium. This review article would provide readers with a wholesome understanding of Bifidobacteria and its potentials to improve human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| | - Chun Loong Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ambrogi V, Bottacini F, Cao L, Kuipers B, Schoterman M, van Sinderen D. Galacto-oligosaccharides as infant prebiotics: production, application, bioactive activities and future perspectives. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 63:753-766. [PMID: 34477457 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1953437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible oligosaccharides characterized by a mix of structures that vary in their degree of polymerization (DP) and glycosidic linkage between the galactose moieties or between galactose and glucose. They have enjoyed extensive scientific scrutiny, and their health-promoting effects are supported by a large number of scientific and clinical studies. A variety of GOS-associated health-promoting effects have been reported, such as growth promotion of beneficial bacteria, in particular bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, inhibition of pathogen adhesion and improvement of gut barrier function. GOS have attracted significant interest from food industries for their versatility as a bioactive ingredient and in particular as a functional component of infant formulations. These oligosaccharides are produced in a kinetically-controlled reaction involving lactose transgalactosylation, being catalyzed by particular β-galactosidases of bacterial or fungal origin. Despite the well-established technology applied for GOS production, this process may still meet with technological challenges when employed at an industrial scale. The current review will cover relevant scientific literature on the beneficial physiological properties of GOS as a prebiotic for the infant gut microbiota, details of GOS structures, the associated reaction mechanism of β-galactosidase, and its (large-scale) production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ambrogi
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Linqiu Cao
- FrieslandCampina, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Kuipers
- FrieslandCampina, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | | | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dineen RL, Penno C, Kelleher P, Bourin MJB, O'Connell‐Motherway M, van Sinderen D. Molecular analysis of the replication functions of the bifidobacterial conjugative megaplasmid pMP7017. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1494-1511. [PMID: 33939264 PMCID: PMC8313286 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
pMP7017 is a conjugative megaplasmid isolated from the gut commensal Bifidobacterium breve JCM7017 and was shown to encode two putative replicases, designated here as RepA and RepB. In the current work, RepB was identified as the pMP7017 replicative initiator, as the repB gene, and its surrounding region was shown to be sufficient to allow autonomous replication in two bifidobacterial species, B. breve and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum. RepB was shown to bind to repeat sequence downstream of its coding sequence and this region was determined to be essential for efficient replication. Based on our results, we hypothesize that pMP7017 is an iteron-regulated plasmid (IRP) under strict auto-regulatory control. Recombinantly produced and purified RepB was determined to exist as a dimer in solution, differing from replicases of other IRPs, which exist as a mix of dimers and monomers. Furthermore, a stable low-copy Bifidobacterium-E. coli shuttle vector, pRD1.3, was created which can be employed for cloning and expression of large genes, as was demonstrated by the cloning and heterologous expression of the 5.1 kb apuB gene encoding the extracellular amylopullulanase from B. breve UCC2003 into B. longum subsp. longum NCIMB8809.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Dineen
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
| | - Christophe Penno
- CNRS UMR 6553 EcoBioUniversite de Rennes 1Campus de Beaulieu, Bat. 14ARennes cedex35042France
| | - Philip Kelleher
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
| | - Maxence J. B. Bourin
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
| | | | - Douwe van Sinderen
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkWestern RoadCorkIreland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kelly SM, Munoz-Munoz J, van Sinderen D. Plant Glycan Metabolism by Bifidobacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:609418. [PMID: 33613480 PMCID: PMC7889515 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.609418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Bifidobacterium, of which the majority have been isolated as gut commensals, are Gram-positive, non-motile, saccharolytic, non-sporulating, anaerobic bacteria. Many bifidobacterial strains are considered probiotic and therefore are thought to bestow health benefits upon their host. Bifidobacteria are highly abundant among the gut microbiota of healthy, full term, breast-fed infants, yet the relative average abundance of bifidobacteria tends to decrease as the human host ages. Because of the inverse correlation between bifidobacterial abundance/prevalence and health, there has been an increasing interest in maintaining, increasing or restoring bifidobacterial populations in the infant, adult and elderly gut. In order to colonize and persist in the gastrointestinal environment, bifidobacteria must be able to metabolise complex dietary and/or host-derived carbohydrates, and be resistant to various environmental challenges of the gut. This is not only important for the autochthonous bifidobacterial species colonising the gut, but also for allochthonous bifidobacteria provided as probiotic supplements in functional foods. For example, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum is a taxon associated with the metabolism of plant-derived poly/oligosaccharides in the adult diet, being capable of metabolising hemicellulose and various pectin-associated glycans. Many of these plant glycans are believed to stimulate the metabolism and growth of specific bifidobacterial species and are for this reason classified as prebiotics. In this review, bifidobacterial carbohydrate metabolism, with a focus on plant poly-/oligosaccharide degradation and uptake, as well as its associated regulation, will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Kelly
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jose Munoz-Munoz
- Microbial Enzymology Group, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Higgins MA, Ryan KS. Generating a fucose permease deletion mutant in Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis ATCC 15697. Anaerobe 2021; 68:102320. [PMID: 33460787 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2021.102320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697 has emerged as a model for infant gut-associated bifidobacterial strains. Here we present a genetic system for B. longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697 using its own DNA restriction-modification systems and create a fucose permease deletion mutant lacking the ability to use free fucose as a carbon source.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Higgins
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Katherine S Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Munoz J, James K, Bottacini F, Van Sinderen D. Biochemical analysis of cross-feeding behaviour between two common gut commensals when cultivated on plant-derived arabinogalactan. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:1733-1747. [PMID: 32385941 PMCID: PMC7533333 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we reveal and characterize cross-feeding behaviour between the common gut commensal Bacteroides cellulosilyticus (Baccell) and certain bifidobacterial strains, including Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003, when grown on a medium containing Larch Wood Arabinogalactan (LW-AG). We furthermore show that cross-feeding is dependent on the release of β-1,3-galacto-di/trisaccharides (β-1,3-GOS), and identified that the bga gene cluster of B. breve UCC2003 allows β-1,3-GOS metabolism. The product of bgaB is presumed to be responsible for the import of β-1,3-GOS, while the bgaA gene product, a glycoside hydrolase family 2 member, was shown to hydrolyse both β-1,3-galactobiose and β-1,3-galactotriose into galactose monomers. This study advances our understanding of strain-specific syntrophic interactions between two glycan degraders in the human gut in the presence of AG-type dietary polysaccharides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Munoz
- Microbial Enzymology GroupDepartment of Applied SciencesNorthumbria UniversityNewcastle Upon TyneNE1 8STUK
| | - Kieran James
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkIreland University College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkIreland University College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Douwe Van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkIreland University College CorkCorkIreland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kelly SM, Lanigan N, O'Neill IJ, Bottacini F, Lugli GA, Viappiani A, Turroni F, Ventura M, van Sinderen D. Bifidobacterial biofilm formation is a multifactorial adaptive phenomenon in response to bile exposure. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11598. [PMID: 32665665 PMCID: PMC7360559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study, we show that biofilm formation by various strains and species belonging to Bifidobacterium, a genus that includes gut commensals with reported health-promoting activities, is induced by high concentrations of bile (0.5% (w/v) or higher) and individual bile salts (20 mM or higher), rather than by acid or osmotic stress. The transcriptomic response of a bifidobacterial prototype Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 to such high bile concentrations was investigated and a random transposon bank of B. breve UCC2003 was screened for mutants that affect biofilm formation in order to identify genes involved in this adaptive process. Eleven mutants affected in their ability to form a biofilm were identified, while biofilm formation capacity of an insertional mutation in luxS and an exopolysaccharide (EPS) negative B. breve UCC2003 was also studied. Reduced capacity to form biofilm also caused reduced viability when exposed to porcine bile. We propose that bifidobacterial biofilm formation is an adaptive response to high concentrations of bile in order to avoid bactericidal effects of high bile concentrations in the gastrointestinal environment. Biofilm formation appears to be a multi-factorial process involving EPS production, proteins and extracellular DNA release, representing a crucial strategy in response to bile stress in order to enhance fitness in the gut environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Kelly
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Noreen Lanigan
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ian J O'Neill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gabriele Andrea Lugli
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Turroni
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland. .,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cheng CC, Duar RM, Lin X, Perez-Munoz ME, Tollenaar S, Oh JH, van Pijkeren JP, Li F, van Sinderen D, Gänzle MG, Walter J. Ecological Importance of Cross-Feeding of the Intermediate Metabolite 1,2-Propanediol between Bacterial Gut Symbionts. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:e00190-20. [PMID: 32276972 PMCID: PMC7237793 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00190-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-feeding based on the metabolite 1,2-propanediol has been proposed to have an important role in the establishment of trophic interactions among gut symbionts, but its ecological importance has not been empirically established. Here, we show that in vitro growth of Lactobacillus reuteri (syn. Limosilactobacillus reuteri) ATCC PTA 6475 is enhanced through 1,2-propanediol produced by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 and Escherichia coli MG1655 from the metabolization of fucose and rhamnose, respectively. Work with isogenic mutants showed that the trophic interaction is dependent on the pduCDE operon in L. reuteri, which encodes the ability to use 1,2-propanediol, and the l-fucose permease (fucP) gene in B. breve, which is required for 1,2-propanediol formation from fucose. Experiments in gnotobiotic mice revealed that, although the pduCDE operon bestows a fitness burden on L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 in the mouse digestive tract, the ecological performance of the strain was enhanced in the presence of B. breve UCC2003 and the mucus-degrading species Bifidobacterium bifidum The use of the respective pduCDE and fucP mutants of L. reuteri and B. breve in the mouse experiments indicated that the trophic interaction was specifically based on 1,2-propanediol. Overall, our work established the ecological importance of cross-feeding relationships based on 1,2-propanediol for the fitness of a bacterial symbiont in the vertebrate gut.IMPORTANCE Through experiments in gnotobiotic mice that employed isogenic mutants of bacterial strains that produce (Bifidobacterium breve) and utilize (Lactobacillus reuteri) 1,2-propanediol, this study provides mechanistic insight into the ecological ramifications of a trophic interaction between gut symbionts. The findings improve our understanding on how cross-feeding influences the competitive fitness of L. reuteri in the vertebrate gut and revealed a putative selective force that shaped the evolution of the species. The findings are relevant since they provide a basis to design rational microbial-based strategies to modulate gut ecosystems, which could employ mixtures of bacterial strains that establish trophic interactions or a personalized approach based on the ability of a resident microbiota to provide resources for the incoming microbe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebbeca M Duar
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Evolve BioSystems, Inc., Davis, California, USA
| | - Xiaoxi Lin
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Maria Elisa Perez-Munoz
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Stephanie Tollenaar
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jee-Hwan Oh
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Fuyong Li
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Michael G Gänzle
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jens Walter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lanigan N, Kelly E, Arzamasov AA, Stanton C, Rodionov DA, van Sinderen D. Transcriptional control of central carbon metabolic flux in Bifidobacteria by two functionally similar, yet distinct LacI-type regulators. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17851. [PMID: 31780796 PMCID: PMC6882875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria resident in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are subject to constantly changing environmental conditions, which require rapid adjustments in gene expression. Here, we show that two predicted LacI-type transcription factors (TFs), designated AraQ and MalR1, are involved in regulating the central, carbohydrate-associated metabolic pathway (the so-called phosphoketolase pathway or bifid shunt) of the gut commensal Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. These TFs appear to not only control transcription of genes involved in the bifid shunt and each other, but also seem to commonly and directly affect transcription of other TF-encoding genes, as well as genes related to uptake and metabolism of various carbohydrates. This complex and interactive network of AraQ/MalR1-mediated gene regulation provides previously unknown insights into the governance of carbon metabolism in bifidobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Lanigan
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Emer Kelly
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aleksandr A Arzamasov
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, United States.,A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Dmitry A Rodionov
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, United States.,A.A. Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yang J, Tang Q, Xu L, Li Z, Ma Y, Yao D. Combining of transcriptome and metabolome analyses for understanding the utilization and metabolic pathways of Xylo-oligosaccharide in Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 15703. Food Sci Nutr 2019; 7:3480-3493. [PMID: 31762999 PMCID: PMC6848847 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yang
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Engineering Harbin University of Commerce Harbin China
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University Daqing China
| | - Qilong Tang
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University Daqing China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University Daqing China
| | - Zhijiang Li
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University Daqing China
| | - Yongqiang Ma
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Engineering Harbin University of Commerce Harbin China
| | - Di Yao
- Department of Food and Engineering College of Food Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University Daqing China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kelly SM, O'Callaghan J, Kinsella M, van Sinderen D. Characterisation of a Hydroxycinnamic Acid Esterase From the Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Taxon. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2690. [PMID: 30473685 PMCID: PMC6237967 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, a common member of the human gut microbiota with perceived positive health effects, is capable of metabolising certain complex, plant-derived carbohydrates which are commonly found in the (adult) human diet. These plant glycans may be employed to favourably modulate the microbial communities in the intestine. Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are plant phenolic compounds, which are attached to glycans, and which are associated with anti-oxidant and other beneficial properties. However, very little information is available regarding metabolism of HCA-containing glycans by bifidobacteria. In the current study, a gene encoding a hydroxycinnamic acid esterase was found to be conserved across the B. longum subsp. longum taxon and was present in a conserved locus associated with plant carbohydrate utilisation. The esterase was shown to be active against various HCA-containing substrates and was biochemically characterised in terms of substrate preference, and pH and temperature optima of the enzyme. This novel hydroxycinnamic acid esterase is presumed to be responsible for the release of HCAs from plant-based dietary sources, a process that may have benefits for the gut environment and thus host health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Kelly
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Mike Kinsella
- Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Comparative genomics and genotype-phenotype associations in Bifidobacterium breve. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10633. [PMID: 30006593 PMCID: PMC6045613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are common members of the gastro-intestinal microbiota of a broad range of animal hosts. Their successful adaptation to this particular niche is linked to their saccharolytic metabolism, which is supported by a wide range of glycosyl hydrolases. In the current study a large-scale gene-trait matching (GTM) effort was performed to explore glycan degradation capabilities in B. breve. By correlating the presence/absence of genes and associated genomic clusters with growth/no-growth patterns across a dataset of 20 Bifidobacterium breve strains and nearly 80 different potential growth substrates, we not only validated the approach for a number of previously characterized carbohydrate utilization clusters, but we were also able to discover novel genetic clusters linked to the metabolism of salicin and sucrose. Using GTM, genetic associations were also established for antibiotic resistance and exopolysaccharide production, thereby identifying (novel) bifidobacterial antibiotic resistance markers and showing that the GTM approach is applicable to a variety of phenotypes. Overall, the GTM findings clearly expand our knowledge on members of the B. breve species, in particular how their variable genetic features can be linked to specific phenotypes.
Collapse
|
21
|
Carbohydrate Syntrophy enhances the establishment of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 in the neonatal gut. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10627. [PMID: 30006512 PMCID: PMC6045583 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29034-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The non-digestible oligosaccharide fraction of maternal milk represents an important of carbohydrate and energy source for saccharolytic bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract during early life. However, not all neonatal bifidobacteria isolates can directly metabolise the complex sialylated, fucosylated, sulphated and/or N-acetylglucosamine-containing oligosaccharide structures present in mothers milk. For some bifidobacterial strains, efficient carbohydrate syntrophy or crossfeeding is key to their establishment in the gut. In this study, we have adopted advanced functional genomic approaches to create single and double in-frame deletions of the N-acetyl glucosamine 6-phosphate deacetylase encoding genes, nagA1 and nagA2, of B. breve UCC2003. In vitro phenotypic analysis followed by in vivo studies on co-colonisation, mother to infant transmission, and evaluation of the relative co-establishment of B. bifidum and B. breve UCC2003 or UCC2003ΔnagA1ΔnagA2 in dam-reared neonatal mice demonstrates the importance of crossfeeding on sialic acid, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine-containing oligosaccharides for the establishment of B. breve UCC2003 in the neonatal gut. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of in vivo gene expression shows upregulation of genes associated with the utilisation of lactose, sialic acid, GlcNAc-6-S and fucose in B. breve UCC2003, while for UCC2003ΔnagA1ΔnagA2 only genes for lactose metabolism were upregulated.
Collapse
|
22
|
Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 Employs Multiple Transcriptional Regulators To Control Metabolism of Particular Human Milk Oligosaccharides. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.02774-17. [PMID: 29500268 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02774-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterial carbohydrate metabolism has been studied in considerable detail for a variety of both plant- and human-derived glycans, particularly involving the bifidobacterial prototype strain Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. We recently elucidated the metabolic pathways by which the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) constituents lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-biose (LNB) are utilized by B. breve UCC2003. However, to date, no work has been carried out on the regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of the genetic loci involved in these HMO metabolic pathways. In this study, we describe the characterization of three transcriptional regulators and the corresponding operator and associated (inducible) promoter sequences, with the latter governing the transcription of the genetic elements involved in LN(n)T/LNB metabolism. The activity of these regulators is dependent on the release of specific monosaccharides, which are believed to act as allosteric effectors and which are derived from the corresponding HMOs targeted by the particular locus.IMPORTANCE Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a key factor in the development of the breastfed-infant microbiota. They function as prebiotics, selecting for a specific range of microbes, including a number of infant-associated species of bifidobacteria, which are thought to provide a range of health benefits to the infant host. While much research has been carried out on elucidating the mechanisms of HMO metabolism in infant-associated bifidobacteria, to date there is very little understanding of the transcriptional regulation of these pathways. This study reveals a multicomponent transcriptional regulation system that controls the recently identified pathways of HMO metabolism in the infant-associated Bifidobacterium breve prototype strain UCC2003. This not only provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms present in other infant-associated bifidobacteria but also provides an example of a network of sequential steps regulating microbial carbohydrate metabolism.
Collapse
|
23
|
Pokusaeva K, Johnson C, Luk B, Uribe G, Fu Y, Oezguen N, Matsunami RK, Lugo M, Major A, Mori‐Akiyama Y, Hollister EB, Dann SM, Shi XZ, Engler DA, Savidge T, Versalovic J. GABA-producing Bifidobacterium dentium modulates visceral sensitivity in the intestine. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29:e12904. [PMID: 27458085 PMCID: PMC5195897 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent abdominal pain is a common and costly health-care problem attributed, in part, to visceral hypersensitivity. Increasing evidence suggests that gut bacteria contribute to abdominal pain perception by modulating the microbiome-gut-brain axis. However, specific microbial signals remain poorly defined. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a principal inhibitory neurotransmitter and a key regulator of abdominal and central pain perception from peripheral afferent neurons. Although gut bacteria are reported to produce GABA, it is not known whether the microbial-derived neurotransmitter modulates abdominal pain. METHODS To investigate the potential analgesic effects of microbial GABA, we performed daily oral administration of a specific Bifidobacterium strain (B. dentiumATCC 27678) in a rat fecal retention model of visceral hypersensitivity, and subsequently evaluated pain responses. KEY RESULTS We demonstrate that commensal Bifidobacterium dentium produces GABA via enzymatic decarboxylation of glutamate by GadB. Daily oral administration of this specific Bifidobacterium (but not a gadB deficient) strain modulated sensory neuron activity in a rat fecal retention model of visceral hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The functional significance of microbial-derived GABA was demonstrated by gadB-dependent desensitization of colonic afferents in a murine model of visceral hypersensitivity. Visceral pain modulation represents another potential health benefit attributed to bifidobacteria and other GABA-producing species of the intestinal microbiome. Targeting GABAergic signals along this microbiome-gut-brain axis represents a new approach for the treatment of abdominal pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K. Pokusaeva
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - C. Johnson
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - B. Luk
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - G. Uribe
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Molecular Virology & MicrobiologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - Y. Fu
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - N. Oezguen
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - R. K. Matsunami
- Proteomics Programmatic Core LaboratoryHouston Methodist Hospital Research InstituteHoustonTXUSA
| | - M. Lugo
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - A. Major
- Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - Y. Mori‐Akiyama
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - E. B. Hollister
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - S. M. Dann
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - X. Z. Shi
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - D. A. Engler
- Proteomics Programmatic Core LaboratoryHouston Methodist Hospital Research InstituteHoustonTXUSA
| | - T. Savidge
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - J. Versalovic
- Department of Pathology & ImmunologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA,Department of PathologyTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA,Molecular Virology & MicrobiologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 metabolises the human milk oligosaccharides lacto-N-tetraose and lacto-N-neo-tetraose through overlapping, yet distinct pathways. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38560. [PMID: 27929046 PMCID: PMC5144078 DOI: 10.1038/srep38560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate that the prototype B. breve strain UCC2003 possesses specific metabolic pathways for the utilisation of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), which represent the central moieties of Type I and Type II human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), respectively. Using a combination of experimental approaches, the enzymatic machinery involved in the metabolism of LNT and LNnT was identified and characterised. Homologs of the key genetic loci involved in the utilisation of these HMO substrates were identified in B. breve, B. bifidum, B. longum subsp. infantis and B. longum subsp. longum using bioinformatic analyses, and were shown to be variably present among other members of the Bifidobacterium genus, with a distinct pattern of conservation among human-associated bifidobacterial species.
Collapse
|
25
|
The Surface-Associated Exopolysaccharide of Bifidobacterium longum 35624 Plays an Essential Role in Dampening Host Proinflammatory Responses and Repressing Local TH17 Responses. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:7185-7196. [PMID: 27736791 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02238-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune-modulating properties of certain bifidobacterial strains, such as Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 35624 (B. longum 35624), have been well described, although the strain-specific molecular characteristics associated with such immune-regulatory activity are not well defined. It has previously been demonstrated that B. longum 35624 produces a cell surface exopolysaccharide (sEPS), and in this study, we investigated the role played by this exopolysaccharide in influencing the host immune response. B. longum 35624 induced relatively low levels of cytokine secretion from human dendritic cells, whereas an isogenic exopolysaccharide-negative mutant derivative (termed sEPSneg) induced vastly more cytokines, including interleukin-17 (IL-17), and this response was reversed when exopolysaccharide production was restored in sEPSneg by genetic complementation. Administration of B. longum 35624 to mice of the T cell transfer colitis model prevented disease symptoms, whereas sEPSneg did not protect against the development of colitis, with associated enhanced recruitment of IL-17+ lymphocytes to the gut. Moreover, intranasal administration of sEPSneg also resulted in enhanced recruitment of IL-17+ lymphocytes to the murine lung. These data demonstrate that the particular exopolysaccharide produced by B. longum 35624 plays an essential role in dampening proinflammatory host responses to the strain and that loss of exopolysaccharide production results in the induction of local TH17 responses. IMPORTANCE Particular gut commensals, such as B. longum 35624, are known to contribute positively to the development of mucosal immune cells, resulting in protection from inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular basis and mechanisms for these commensal-host interactions are poorly described. In this report, an exopolysaccharide was shown to be decisive in influencing the immune response to the bacterium. We generated an isogenic mutant unable to produce exopolysaccharide and observed that this mutation caused a dramatic change in the response of human immune cells in vitro In addition, the use of mouse models confirmed that lack of exopolysaccharide production induces inflammatory responses to the bacterium. These results implicate the surface-associated exopolysaccharide of the B. longum 35624 cell envelope in the prevention of aberrant inflammatory responses.
Collapse
|
26
|
Glycosulfatase-Encoding Gene Cluster in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:6611-6623. [PMID: 27590817 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02022-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria constitute a specific group of commensal bacteria typically found in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and other mammals. Bifidobacterium breve strains are numerically prevalent among the gut microbiota of many healthy breastfed infants. In the present study, we investigated glycosulfatase activity in a bacterial isolate from a nursling stool sample, B. breve UCC2003. Two putative sulfatases were identified on the genome of B. breve UCC2003. The sulfated monosaccharide N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate (GlcNAc-6-S) was shown to support the growth of B. breve UCC2003, while N-acetylglucosamine-3-sulfate, N-acetylgalactosamine-3-sulfate, and N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate did not support appreciable growth. By using a combination of transcriptomic and functional genomic approaches, a gene cluster designated ats2 was shown to be specifically required for GlcNAc-6-S metabolism. Transcription of the ats2 cluster is regulated by a repressor open reading frame kinase (ROK) family transcriptional repressor. This study represents the first description of glycosulfatase activity within the Bifidobacterium genus. IMPORTANCE Bifidobacteria are saccharolytic organisms naturally found in the digestive tract of mammals and insects. Bifidobacterium breve strains utilize a variety of plant- and host-derived carbohydrates that allow them to be present as prominent members of the infant gut microbiota as well as being present in the gastrointestinal tract of adults. In this study, we introduce a previously unexplored area of carbohydrate metabolism in bifidobacteria, namely, the metabolism of sulfated carbohydrates. B. breve UCC2003 was shown to metabolize N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate (GlcNAc-6-S) through one of two sulfatase-encoding gene clusters identified on its genome. GlcNAc-6-S can be found in terminal or branched positions of mucin oligosaccharides, the glycoprotein component of the mucous layer that covers the digestive tract. The results of this study provide further evidence of the ability of this species to utilize mucin-derived sugars, a trait which may provide a competitive advantage in both the infant gut and adult gut.
Collapse
|
27
|
Ruiz L, Delgado S, Ruas-Madiedo P, Margolles A, Sánchez B. Proteinaceous Molecules Mediating Bifidobacterium-Host Interactions. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1193. [PMID: 27536282 PMCID: PMC4971063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are commensal microoganisms found in the gastrointestinal tract. Several strains have been attributed beneficial traits at local and systemic levels, through pathogen exclusion or immune modulation, among other benefits. This has promoted a growing industrial and scientific interest in bifidobacteria as probiotic supplements. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating this cross-talk with the human host remain unknown. High-throughput technologies, from functional genomics to transcriptomics, proteomics, and interactomics coupled to the development of both in vitro and in vivo models to study the dynamics of the intestinal microbiota and their effects on host cells, have eased the identification of key molecules in these interactions. Numerous secreted or surface-associated proteins or peptides have been identified as potential mediators of bifidobacteria-host interactions and molecular cross-talk, directly participating in sensing environmental factors, promoting intestinal colonization, or mediating a dialogue with mucosa-associated immune cells. On the other hand, bifidobacteria induce the production of proteins in the intestine, by epithelial or immune cells, and other gut bacteria, which are key elements in orchestrating interactions among bifidobacteria, gut microbiota, and host cells. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview on proteinaceous molecules described and characterized to date, as mediators of the dynamic interplay between bifidobacteria and the human host, providing a framework to identify knowledge gaps and future research needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ruiz
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Food Technology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid Spain
| | - Susana Delgado
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Patricia Ruas-Madiedo
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Abelardo Margolles
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Borja Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Pontonio E, Mahony J, Di Cagno R, O'Connell Motherway M, Lugli GA, O'Callaghan A, De Angelis M, Ventura M, Gobbetti M, van Sinderen D. Cloning, expression and characterization of a β-D-xylosidase from Lactobacillus rossiae DSM 15814(T). Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:72. [PMID: 27142164 PMCID: PMC4855831 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the oligosaccharides that may positively affect the gut microbiota, xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOS) possess promising functional properties. Ingestion of XOS has been reported to contribute to anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, immune-modulatory and anti-diabetic activities. Because of the structural complexity and chemical heterogeneity, complete degradation of xylan-containing plant polymers requires the synergistic activity of several enzymes. Endo-xylanases and β-D-xylosidases, collectively termed xylanases, represent the two key enzymes responsible for the sequential hydrolysis of xylan. Xylanase cocktails are used on an industrial scale for biotechnological purposes. Lactobacillus rossiae DSM 15814(T) can utilize an extensive set of carbon sources, an ability that is likely to contribute to its adaptive ability. In this study, the capacity of this strain to utilize XOS, xylan, D-xylose and L-arabinose was investigated. RESULTS Genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed the presence of two gene clusters, designated xyl and ara, encoding proteins predicted to be responsible for XOS uptake and hydrolysis and D-xylose utilization, and L-arabinose metabolism, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of one of the genes of the xyl gene cluster, LROS_1108 (designated here as xylA), shows high similarity to (predicted) β-D-xylosidases encoded by various lactic acid bacteria, and belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 43. Heterologously expressed XylA was shown to completely hydrolyse XOS to xylose and showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 40 °C. Furthermore, β-D-xylosidase activity of L. rossiae DSM 15814(T) was also measured under sourdough conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the ability of L. rossiae DSM 15814(T) to utilize XOS, which is a very useful trait when selecting starters with specific metabolic performances for sourdough fermentation or as probiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Pontonio
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Raffaella Di Cagno
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Mary O'Connell Motherway
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gabriele Andrea Lugli
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Amy O'Callaghan
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria De Angelis
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbetti
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kelly ED, Bottacini F, O'Callaghan J, Motherway MO, O'Connell KJ, Stanton C, van Sinderen D. Glycoside hydrolase family 13 α-glucosidases encoded by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003; A comparative analysis of function, structure and phylogeny. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 224:55-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
30
|
Transcription of two adjacent carbohydrate utilization gene clusters in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 is controlled by LacI- and repressor open reading frame kinase (ROK)-type regulators. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 80:3604-14. [PMID: 24705323 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00130-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals, including humans, where their growth is presumed to be dependent on various diet- and/or host-derived carbohydrates. To understand transcriptional control of bifidobacterial carbohydrate metabolism, we investigated two genetic carbohydrate utilization clusters dedicated to the metabolism of raffinose-type sugars and melezitose. Transcriptomic and gene inactivation approaches revealed that the raffinose utilization system is positively regulated by an activator protein, designated RafR. The gene cluster associated with melezitose metabolism was shown to be subject to direct negative control by a LacI-type transcriptional regulator, designated MelR1, in addition to apparent indirect negative control by means of a second LacI-type regulator, MelR2. In silico analysis, DNA-protein interaction, and primer extension studies revealed the MelR1 and MelR2 operator sequences, each of which is positioned just upstream of or overlapping the correspondingly regulated promoter sequences. Similar analyses identified the RafR binding operator sequence located upstream of the rafB promoter. This study indicates that transcriptional control of gene clusters involved in carbohydrate metabolism in bifidobacteria is subject to conserved regulatory systems, representing either positive or negative control.
Collapse
|
31
|
Egan M, O'Connell Motherway M, van Sinderen D. A GntR-type transcriptional repressor controls sialic acid utilization in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2014; 362:fnu056. [PMID: 25688064 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnu056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterium breve strains are numerically prevalent among the gut microbiota of healthy, breast-fed infants. The metabolism of sialic acid, a ubiquitous monosaccharide in the infant and adult gut, by B. breve UCC2003 is dependent on a large gene cluster, designated the nan/nag cluster. This study describes the transcriptional regulation of the nan/nag cluster and thus sialic acid metabolism in B. breve UCC2003. Insertion mutagenesis and transcriptome analysis revealed that the nan/nag cluster is regulated by a GntR family transcriptional repressor, designated NanR. Crude cell extract of Escherichia coli EC101 in which the nanR gene had been cloned and overexpressed was shown to bind to two promoter regions within this cluster, each of which containing an imperfect inverted repeat that is believed to act as the NanR operator sequence. Formation of the DNA-NanR complex is prevented in the presence of sialic acid, which we had previously shown to induce transcription of this gene cluster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muireann Egan
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary O'Connell Motherway
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Egan M, Motherway MO, Kilcoyne M, Kane M, Joshi L, Ventura M, van Sinderen D. Cross-feeding by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 during co-cultivation with Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 in a mucin-based medium. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:282. [PMID: 25420416 PMCID: PMC4252021 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-014-0282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bifidobacteria constitute a specific group of commensal bacteria that commonly inhabit the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 was previously shown to utilize a variety of plant/diet/host-derived carbohydrates, including cellodextrin, starch and galactan, as well as the mucin and HMO-derived monosaccharide, sialic acid. In the current study, we investigated the ability of this strain to utilize parts of a host-derived source of carbohydrate, namely the mucin glycoprotein, when grown in co-culture with the mucin-degrading Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010. RESULTS B. breve UCC2003 was shown to exhibit growth properties in a mucin-based medium, but only when grown in the presence of B. bifidum PRL2010, which is known to metabolize mucin. A combination of HPAEC-PAD and transcriptome analyses identified some of the possible monosaccharides and oligosaccharides which support this enhanced co-cultivation growth/viability phenotype. CONCLUSION This study describes the potential existence of a gut commensal relationship between two bifidobacterial species. We demonstrate the in vitro ability of B. breve UCC2003 to cross-feed on sugars released by the mucin-degrading activity of B. bifidum PRL2010, thus advancing our knowledge on the metabolic adaptability which allows the former strain to colonize the (infant) gut by its extensive metabolic abilities to (co-)utilize available carbohydrate sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muireann Egan
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Mary O'Connell Motherway
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Michelle Kilcoyne
- Glycoscience Group, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Marian Kane
- Glycoscience Group, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Lokesh Joshi
- Glycoscience Group, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Life Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Functional analysis of bifidobacterial promoters in Bifidobacterium longum and Escherichia coli using the α-galactosidase gene as a reporter. J Biosci Bioeng 2014; 118:489-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
34
|
Discovery of a conjugative megaplasmid in Bifidobacterium breve. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 81:166-76. [PMID: 25326305 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02871-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacterium breve is a common and sometimes very abundant inhabitant of the human gut. Genome sequencing of B. breve JCM 7017 revealed the presence of an extrachromosomal element, designated pMP7017 consisting of >190 kb, thus representing the first reported bifidobacterial megaplasmid. In silico characterization of this element revealed several genomic features supporting a stable establishment of the megaplasmid in its host, illustrated by predicted CRISPR-Cas functions that are known to protect the host against intrusion of foreign DNA. Interestingly, pMP7017 is also predicted to encode a conjugative DNA transfer apparatus and, consistent with this notion, we demonstrate here the conjugal transfer of pMP7017 to representative strains of B. breve and B. longum subsp. longum. We also demonstrate the presence of a megaplasmid with homology to pMP7017 in three B. longum subsp. longum strains.
Collapse
|
35
|
Metabolism of sialic acid by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:4414-26. [PMID: 24814790 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01114-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria constitute a specific group of commensal bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals. Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 has previously been shown to utilize several plant-derived carbohydrates that include cellodextrins, starch, and galactan. In the present study, we investigated the ability of this strain to utilize the mucin- and human milk oligosaccharide (HMO)-derived carbohydrate sialic acid. Using a combination of transcriptomic and functional genomic approaches, we identified a gene cluster dedicated to the uptake and metabolism of sialic acid. Furthermore, we demonstrate that B. breve UCC2003 can cross feed on sialic acid derived from the metabolism of 3'-sialyllactose, an abundant HMO, by another infant gut bifidobacterial strain, Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010.
Collapse
|
36
|
Fouhy F, O’Connell Motherway M, Fitzgerald GF, Ross RP, Stanton C, van Sinderen D, Cotter PD. In silico assigned resistance genes confer Bifidobacterium with partial resistance to aminoglycosides but not to β-lactams. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82653. [PMID: 24324818 PMCID: PMC3855789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria have received significant attention due to their contribution to human gut health and the use of specific strains as probiotics. It is thus not surprising that there has also been significant interest with respect to their antibiotic resistance profile. Numerous culture-based studies have demonstrated that bifidobacteria are resistant to the majority of aminoglycosides, but are sensitive to β-lactams. However, limited research exists with respect to the genetic basis for the resistance of bifidobacteria to aminoglycosides. Here we performed an in-depth in silico analysis of putative Bifidobacterium-encoded aminoglycoside resistance proteins and β-lactamases and assess the contribution of these proteins to antibiotic resistance. The in silico-based screen detected putative aminoglycoside and β-lactam resistance proteins across the Bifidobacterium genus. Laboratory-based investigations of a number of representative bifidobacteria strains confirmed that despite containing putative β-lactamases, these strains were sensitive to β-lactams. In contrast, all strains were resistant to the aminoglycosides tested. To assess the contribution of genes encoding putative aminoglycoside resistance proteins in Bifidobacterium sp. two genes, namely Bbr_0651 and Bbr_1586, were targeted for insertional inactivation in B. breve UCC2003. As compared to the wild-type, the UCC2003 insertion mutant strains exhibited decreased resistance to gentamycin, kanamycin and streptomycin. This study highlights the associated risks of relying on the in silico assignment of gene function. Although several putative β-lactam resistance proteins are located in bifidobacteria, their presence does not coincide with resistance to these antibiotics. In contrast however, this approach has resulted in the identification of two loci that contribute to the aminoglycoside resistance of B. breve UCC2003 and, potentially, many other bifidobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Fouhy
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary O’Connell Motherway
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerald F. Fitzgerald
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - R. Paul Ross
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- Microbiology Department, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
O'Connell KJ, O'Connell Motherway M, O'Callaghan J, Fitzgerald GF, Ross RP, Ventura M, Stanton C, van Sinderen D. Metabolism of four α-glycosidic linkage-containing oligosaccharides by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:6280-92. [PMID: 23913435 PMCID: PMC3811189 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01775-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are common inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals, where they ferment many diet-derived carbohydrates that cannot be digested by their hosts. To extend our understanding of bifidobacterial carbohydrate utilization, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which 11 strains of Bifidobacterium breve metabolize four distinct α-glucose- and/or α-galactose-containing oligosaccharides, namely, raffinose, stachyose, melibiose, and melezitose. Here we demonstrate that all B. breve strains examined possess the ability to utilize raffinose, stachyose, and melibiose. However, the ability to metabolize melezitose was not common to all B. breve strains tested. Transcriptomic and functional genomic approaches identified a gene cluster dedicated to the metabolism of α-galactose-containing carbohydrates, while an adjacent gene cluster, dedicated to the metabolism of α-glucose-containing melezitose, was identified in strains that are able to use this carbohydrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Joan O'Connell
- Department of Microbiology
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary O'Connell Motherway
- Department of Microbiology
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John O'Callaghan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Teagasc Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerald F. Fitzgerald
- Department of Microbiology
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - R. Paul Ross
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Teagasc Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology and Evolution, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Catherine Stanton
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Teagasc Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- Department of Microbiology
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
O'Connell KJ, Motherway MO, Hennessey AA, Brodhun F, Ross RP, Feussner I, Stanton C, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D. Identification and characterization of an oleate hydratase-encoding gene from Bifidobacterium breve. Bioengineered 2013; 4:313-21. [PMID: 23851389 PMCID: PMC3813531 DOI: 10.4161/bioe.24159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are common commensals of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have suggested that a bifidobacterial myosin cross reactive antigen (MCRA) protein plays a role in bacterial stress tolerance, while this protein has also been linked to the biosynthesis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in bifidobacteria. In order to increase our understanding on the role of MCRA in bifidobacteria we created and analyzed an insertion mutant of the MCRA-encoding gene of B. breve NCFB 2258. Our results demonstrate that the MCRA protein of B. breve NCFB 2258 does not appear to play a role in CLA production, yet is an oleate hydratase, which contributes to bifidobacterial solvent stress protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Joan O'Connell
- Department of Microbiology; University College Cork; Cork, Ireland; Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre; University College Cork; Cork, Ireland; Teagasc Research Centre Moorepark; Fermoy; Cork, Ireland; Department of Plant Biochemistry; Georg-August-University; Goettingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ruiz L, Motherway MO, Lanigan N, van Sinderen D. Transposon mutagenesis in Bifidobacterium breve: construction and characterization of a Tn5 transposon mutant library for Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64699. [PMID: 23737995 PMCID: PMC3667832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bifidobacteria are claimed to contribute positively to human health through a range of beneficial or probiotic activities, including amelioration of gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, and therefore this particular group of gastrointestinal commensals has enjoyed increasing industrial and scientific attention in recent years. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these probiotic mechanisms are still largely unknown, mainly due to the fact that molecular tools for bifidobacteria are rather poorly developed, with many strains lacking genetic accessibility. In this work, we describe the generation of transposon insertion mutants in two bifidobacterial strains, B. breve UCC2003 and B. breve NCFB2258. We also report the creation of the first transposon mutant library in a bifidobacterial strain, employing B. breve UCC2003 and a Tn5-based transposome strategy. The library was found to be composed of clones containing single transposon insertions which appear to be randomly distributed along the genome. The usefulness of the library to perform phenotypic screenings was confirmed through identification and analysis of mutants defective in D-galactose, D-lactose or pullulan utilization abilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mary O’Connell Motherway
- Department of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Noreen Lanigan
- Department of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- Department of Microbiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
O'Connell Motherway M, Kinsella M, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D. Transcriptional and functional characterization of genetic elements involved in galacto-oligosaccharide utilization by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Microb Biotechnol 2012. [PMID: 23199239 PMCID: PMC3815386 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Several prebiotics, such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides and galacto-oligosaccharides, are widely used commercially in foods and there is convincing evidence, in particular for galacto-oligosaccharides, that prebiotics can modulate the microbiota and promote bifidobacterial growth in the intestinal tract of infants and adults. In this study we describe the identification and functional characterization of the genetic loci responsible for the transport and metabolism of purified galacto-oligosaccharides (PGOS) by Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. We further demonstrate that an extracellular endogalactanase specified by several B. breve strains, including B. breve UCC2003, is essential for partial degradation of PGOS components with a high degree of polymerization. These partially hydrolysed PGOS components are presumed to be transported into the bifidobacterial cell via various ABC transport systems and sugar permeases where they are further degraded to galactose and glucose monomers that feed into the bifid shunt. This work significantly advances our molecular understanding of bifidobacterial PGOS metabolism and its associated genetic machinery to utilize this prebiotic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary O'Connell Motherway
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, National University of Ireland, Western Road, Cork, Ireland; Departments of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
A two-component regulatory system controls autoregulated serpin expression in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:7032-41. [PMID: 22843530 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01776-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This work reports on the identification and molecular characterization of a two-component regulatory system (2CRS), encoded by serRK, which is believed to control the expression of the ser(2003) locus in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. The ser(2003) locus consists of two genes, Bbr_1319 (sagA) and Bbr_1320 (serU), which are predicted to encode a hypothetical membrane-associated protein and a serpin-like protein, respectively. The response regulator SerR was shown to bind to the promoter region of ser(2003), and the probable recognition sequence of SerR was determined by a combinatorial approach of in vitro site-directed mutagenesis coupled to transcriptional fusion and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). The importance of the serRK 2CRS in the response of B. breve to protease-mediated induction was confirmed by generating a B. breve serR insertion mutant, which was shown to exhibit altered ser(2003) transcriptional induction patterns compared to the parent strain, UCC2003. Interestingly, the analysis of a B. breve serU mutant revealed that the SerRK signaling pathway appears to include a SerU-dependent autoregulatory loop.
Collapse
|
42
|
A conserved two-component signal transduction system controls the response to phosphate starvation in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:5258-69. [PMID: 22635988 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00804-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This work reports on the identification and molecular characterization of the two-component regulatory system (2CRS) PhoRP, which controls the response to inorganic phosphate (P(i)) starvation in Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003. The response regulator PhoP was shown to bind to the promoter region of pstSCAB, specifying a predicted P(i) transporter system, as well as that of phoU, which encodes a putative P(i)-responsive regulatory protein. This interaction is assumed to cause transcriptional modulation under conditions of P(i) limitation. Our data suggest that the phoRP genes are subject to positive autoregulation and, together with pstSCAB and presumably phoU, represent the complete regulon controlled by the phoRP-encoded 2CRS in B. breve UCC2003. Determination of the minimal PhoP binding region combined with bioinformatic analysis revealed the probable recognition sequence of PhoP, designated here as the PHO box, which together with phoRP is conserved among many high-GC-content Gram-positive bacteria. The importance of the phoRP 2CRS in the response of B. breve to P(i) starvation conditions was confirmed by analysis of a B. breve phoP insertion mutant which exhibited decreased growth under phosphate-limiting conditions compared to its parent strain UCC2003.
Collapse
|
43
|
Analysis of predicted carbohydrate transport systems encoded by Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:5002-12. [PMID: 22562993 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00629-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 genome encodes a relatively small set of predicted carbohydrate transporters. Growth experiments and transcriptome analyses of B. bifidum PRL2010 revealed that carbohydrate utilization in this microorganism appears to be restricted to a relatively low number of carbohydrates.
Collapse
|
44
|
Cronin M, Zomer A, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D. Identification of iron-regulated genes of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 as a basis for controlled gene expression. Bioeng Bugs 2012; 3:157-67. [PMID: 22179149 DOI: 10.4161/bbug.18985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential growth factor for virtually all organisms. However, iron is not readily available in most environments and microorganisms have evolved specialized mechanisms, such as the use of siderophores and high-affinity transport systems, to acquire iron when confronted with iron-limiting conditions. In general these systems are tightly regulated to prevent iron-induced toxicity and because they are quite costly to the microbe. Because of this tight regulation we chose to explore the response of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 to iron limitation. Through microarray and complementation analyses we identified and characterized a presumed ferrous iron uptake system, encoded by bfeUOB, from B. breve UCC2003 and exploited its regulated transcription to develop an inducible expression system for use in bifidobacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Cronin
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ruiz L, O'Connell-Motherway M, Zomer A, de los Reyes-Gavilán CG, Margolles A, van Sinderen D. A bile-inducible membrane protein mediates bifidobacterial bile resistance. Microb Biotechnol 2012; 5:523-35. [PMID: 22296641 PMCID: PMC3815329 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2011.00329.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bbr_0838 from Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 is predicted to encode a 683 residue membrane protein, containing both a permease domain that displays similarity to transporters belonging to the major facilitator superfamily, as well as a CBS (cystathionine beta synthase) domain. The high level of similarity to bile efflux pumps from other bifidobacteria suggests a significant and general role for Bbr_0838 in bile tolerance. Bbr_0838 transcription was shown to be monocistronic and strongly induced upon exposure to bile. Further analysis delineated the transcriptional start site and the minimal region required for promoter activity and bile regulation. Insertional inactivation of Bbr_0838 in B. breve UCC2003 resulted in a strain, UCC2003:838800, which exhibited reduced survival upon cholate exposure as compared with the parent strain, a phenotype that was reversed when a functional, plasmid‐encoded Bbr_0838 gene was introduced into UCC2003:838800. Transcriptome analysis of UCC2003:838800 grown in the presence or absence of bile demonstrated that transcription of Bbr_0832, which is predicted to encode a macrolide efflux transporter gene, was significantly increased in the presence of bile, representing a likely compensatory mechanism for bile removal in the absence of Bbr_0838. This study represents the first in‐depth analysis of a bile‐inducible locus in bifidobacteria, identifying a key gene relevant for bifidobacterial bile tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Ruiz
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica de Productos Lácteos, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Metabolic activities and probiotic potential of bifidobacteria. Int J Food Microbiol 2011; 149:88-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
47
|
Douillard FP, O'Connell-Motherway M, Cambillau C, van Sinderen D. Expanding the molecular toolbox for Lactococcus lactis: construction of an inducible thioredoxin gene fusion expression system. Microb Cell Fact 2011; 10:66. [PMID: 21827702 PMCID: PMC3162883 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-10-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 08/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of the Nisin Inducible Controlled Expression (NICE) system in the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris represents a cornerstone in the use of Gram-positive bacterial expression systems for biotechnological purposes. However, proteins that are subjected to such over-expression in L. lactis may suffer from improper folding, inclusion body formation and/or protein degradation, thereby significantly reducing the yield of soluble target protein. Although such drawbacks are not specific to L. lactis, no molecular tools have been developed to prevent or circumvent these recurrent problems of protein expression in L. lactis. RESULTS Mimicking thioredoxin gene fusion systems available for E. coli, two nisin-inducible expression vectors were constructed to over-produce various proteins in L. lactis as thioredoxin fusion proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that our novel L. lactis fusion partner expression vectors allow high-level expression of soluble heterologous proteins Tuc2009 ORF40, Bbr_0140 and Tuc2009 BppU/BppL that were previously insoluble or not expressed using existing L. lactis expression vectors. Over-expressed proteins were subsequently purified by Ni-TED affinity chromatography. Intact heterologous proteins were detected by immunoblotting analyses. We also show that the thioredoxin moiety of the purified fusion protein was specifically and efficiently cleaved off by enterokinase treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first description of a thioredoxin gene fusion expression system, purposely developed to circumvent problems associated with protein over-expression in L. lactis. It was shown to prevent protein insolubility and degradation, allowing sufficient production of soluble proteins for further structural and functional characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- François P Douillard
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mary O'Connell-Motherway
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Christian Cambillau
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 6098 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Universités d'Aix-Marseille I & II, Campus de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mayo B, van Sinderen D, Ventura M. Genome analysis of food grade lactic Acid-producing bacteria: from basics to applications. Curr Genomics 2011; 9:169-83. [PMID: 19440514 PMCID: PMC2679651 DOI: 10.2174/138920208784340731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing has revolutionized and accelerated scientific research that aims to study the genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology of bacteria. Lactic acid-producing bacteria, which include lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria, are typically Gram-positive, catalase-negative organisms, which occupy a wide range of natural plant- and animal-associated environments. LAB species are frequently involved in the transformation of perishable raw materials into more stable, pleasant, palatable and safe fermented food products. LAB and bifidobacteria are also found among the resident microbiota of the gastrointestinal and/or genitourinary tracts of vertebrates, where they are believed to exert health-promoting effects. At present, the genomes of more than 20 LAB and bifidobacterial species have been completely sequenced. Their genome content reflects its specific metabolism, physiology, biosynthetic capabilities, and adaptability to varying conditions and environments. The typical LAB/bifidobacterial genome is relatively small (from 1.7 to 3.3 Mb) and thus harbors a limited assortment of genes (from around 1,600 to over 3,000). These small genomes code for a broad array of transporters for efficient carbon and nitrogen assimilation from the nutritionally-rich niches they usually inhabit, and specify a rather limited range of biosynthetic and degrading capabilities. The variation in the number of genes suggests that the genome evolution of each of these bacterial groups involved the processes of extensive gene loss from their particular ancestor, diversification of certain common biological activities through gene duplication, and acquisition of key functions via horizontal gene transfer. The availability of genome sequences is expected to revolutionize the exploitation of the metabolic potential of LAB and bifidobacteria, improving their use in bioprocessing and their utilization in biotechnological and health-related applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Mayo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (CSIC), 33300-Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
O'Connell Motherway M, Zomer A, Leahy SC, Reunanen J, Bottacini F, Claesson MJ, O'Brien F, Flynn K, Casey PG, Moreno Munoz JA, Kearney B, Houston AM, O'Mahony C, Higgins DG, Shanahan F, Palva A, de Vos WM, Fitzgerald GF, Ventura M, O'Toole PW, van Sinderen D. Functional genome analysis of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 reveals type IVb tight adherence (Tad) pili as an essential and conserved host-colonization factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:11217-22. [PMID: 21690406 PMCID: PMC3131351 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1105380108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of the human gut microbiota commences at birth, with bifidobacteria being among the first colonizers of the sterile newborn gastrointestinal tract. To date, the genetic basis of Bifidobacterium colonization and persistence remains poorly understood. Transcriptome analysis of the Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 2.42-Mb genome in a murine colonization model revealed differential expression of a type IVb tight adherence (Tad) pilus-encoding gene cluster designated "tad(2003)." Mutational analysis demonstrated that the tad(2003) gene cluster is essential for efficient in vivo murine gut colonization, and immunogold transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of Tad pili at the poles of B. breve UCC2003 cells. Conservation of the Tad pilus-encoding locus among other B. breve strains and among sequenced Bifidobacterium genomes supports the notion of a ubiquitous pili-mediated host colonization and persistence mechanism for bifidobacteria.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/physiology
- Base Sequence
- Bifidobacterium/genetics
- Bifidobacterium/growth & development
- Bifidobacterium/physiology
- Bifidobacterium/ultrastructure
- Comparative Genomic Hybridization
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- Female
- Fimbriae, Bacterial/genetics
- Fimbriae, Bacterial/physiology
- Fimbriae, Bacterial/ultrastructure
- Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
- Genome, Bacterial
- Germ-Free Life
- Humans
- Male
- Metagenome
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Microscopy, Immunoelectron
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Multigene Family
- Mutation
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aldert Zomer
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
| | - Sinead C. Leahy
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
- Microbiology
| | - Justus Reunanen
- Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francesca Bottacini
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
- Microbiology
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology, and Evolution, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Kiera Flynn
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Des G. Higgins
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Fergus Shanahan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
- Medicine, and
| | - Airi Palva
- Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Willem M. de Vos
- Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald F. Fitzgerald
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
- Microbiology
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology, and Evolution, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy
| | - Paul W. O'Toole
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and Departments of
- Microbiology
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Analysis of infant isolates of Bifidobacterium breve by comparative genome hybridization indicates the existence of new subspecies with marked infant specificity. Res Microbiol 2011; 162:664-70. [PMID: 21726634 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2011.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A total of 20 Bifidobacterium strains were isolated from fecal samples of 4 breast- and bottle-fed infants and all were characterized as Bifidobacterium breve based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and metabolic analysis. These isolates were further characterized and compared to the type strains of B. breve and 7 other Bifidobacterium spp. by comparative genome hybridization. For this purpose, we constructed and used a DNA-based microarray containing over 2000 randomly cloned DNA fragments from B. breve type strain LMG13208. This molecular analysis revealed a high degree of genomic variation between the isolated strains and allowed the vast majority to be grouped into 4 clusters. One cluster contained a single isolate that was virtually indistinguishable from the B. breve type strain. The 3 other clusters included 19 B. breve strains that differed considerably from all type strains. Remarkably, each of the 4 clusters included strains that were isolated from a single infant, indicating that a niche adaptation may contribute to variation within the B. breve species. Based on genomic hybridization data, the new B. breve isolates were estimated to contain approximately 60-90% of the genes of the B. breve type strain, attesting to the existence of various subspecies within the species B. breve. Further bioinformatic analysis identified several hundred diagnostic clones specific to the genomic clustering of the B. breve isolates. Molecular analysis of representatives of these revealed that annotated genes from the conserved B. breve core encoded mainly housekeeping functions, while the strain-specific genes were predicted to code for functions related to life style, such as carbohydrate metabolism and transport. This is compatible with genetic adaptation of the strains to their niche, a combination of infants and diet.
Collapse
|