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Wang J, Wang S, Zhao S, Sun P, Zhang Z, Xu Q. Productivity enhancement in L-lysine fermentation using oxygen-enhanced bioreactor and oxygen vector. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1181963. [PMID: 37200843 PMCID: PMC10187759 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1181963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: L-lysine is a bulk product. In industrial production using high-biomass fermentation, the high density of bacteria and the intensity of production require sufficient cellular respiratory metabolism for support. Conventional bioreactors often have difficulty meeting the oxygen supply conditions for this fermentation process, which is not conducive to improving the sugar-amino acid conversion rate. In this study, we designed and developed an oxygen-enhanced bioreactor to address this problem. Methods: This bioreactor optimizes the aeration mix using an internal liquid flow guide and multiple propellers. Results: Compared with a conventional bioreactor, it improved the kLa from 367.57 to 875.64 h-1, an increase of 238.22%. The results show that the oxygen supply capacity of the oxygen-enhanced bioreactor is better than that of the conventional bioreactor. Its oxygenating effect increased the dissolved oxygen in the middle and late stages of fermentation by an average of 20%. The increased viability of Corynebacterium glutamicum LS260 in the mid to late stages of growth resulted in a yield of 185.3 g/L of L-lysine, 74.57% conversion of lysine from glucose, and productivity of 2.57 g/L/h, an increase of 11.0%, 6.01%, and 8.2%, respectively, over a conventional bioreactor. Oxygen vectors can further improve the production performance of lysine strains by increasing the oxygen uptake capacity of microorganisms. We compared the effects of different oxygen vectors on the production of L-lysine from LS260 fermentation and concluded that n-dodecane was the most suitable. Bacterial growth was smoother under these conditions, with a 2.78% increase in bacterial volume, a 6.53% increase in lysine production, and a 5.83% increase in conversion. The different addition times of the oxygen vectors also affected the final yield and conversion, with the addition of oxygen vectors at 0 h, 8 h, 16 h, and 24 h of fermentation increasing the yield by 6.31%, 12.44%, 9.93%, and 7.39%, respectively, compared to fermentation without the addition of oxygen vectors. The conversion rates increased by 5.83%, 8.73%, 7.13%, and 6.13%, respectively. The best results were achieved by adding oxygen vehicles at the 8th hour of fermentation, with a lysine yield of 208.36 g/L and a conversion rate of 83.3%. In addition, n-dodecane significantly reduced the amount of foam produced during fermentation, which is beneficial for fermentation control and equipment. Conclusion: The new oxygen-enhanced bioreactor improves oxygen transfer efficiency, and oxygen vectors enhance the ability of cells to take up oxygen, which effectively solves the problem of insufficient oxygen supply during lysine fermentation. This study provides a new bioreactor and production solution for lysine fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinduo Wang
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Pengjie Sun
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingyang Xu
- National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Qingyang Xu,
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2
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Lamoureux C, Rézig S, Le Bars H, Le Divenah F, Tandé D, Vélo-Suarez L, Badell E, Brisse S, Héry-Arnaud G, Beauruelle C. Corynebacterium ulcerans as filamentous branching rods. Clin Microbiol Infect 2022; 29:600-601. [PMID: 36436705 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudie Lamoureux
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France; Univ Brest, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, UMR 1078, Génétique, Génomique fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies (GGB), Brest, France.
| | - Schéhérazade Rézig
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Hervé Le Bars
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France
| | - Felipe Le Divenah
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France
| | - Didier Tandé
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France
| | - Lourdes Vélo-Suarez
- Centre Brestois d'Analyse du Microbiote, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex, Paris, France
| | - Geneviève Héry-Arnaud
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France; Univ Brest, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, UMR 1078, Génétique, Génomique fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies (GGB), Brest, France; Centre Brestois d'Analyse du Microbiote, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Clémence Beauruelle
- Unité de Bactériologie, Pôle de Biologie-Pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brest, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France; Univ Brest, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, UMR 1078, Génétique, Génomique fonctionnelle et Biotechnologies (GGB), Brest, France
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3
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Marques da Silva W, Seyffert N, Silva A, Azevedo V. A journey through the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis proteome promotes insights into its functional genome. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12456. [PMID: 35036114 PMCID: PMC8710256 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen and the etiologic agent of illnesses like caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminants, mastitis in dairy cattle, ulcerative lymphangitis in equines, and oedematous skin disease in buffalos. With the growing advance in high-throughput technologies, genomic studies have been carried out to explore the molecular basis of its virulence and pathogenicity. However, data large-scale functional genomics studies are necessary to complement genomics data and better understating the molecular basis of a given organism. Here we summarize, MS-based proteomics techniques and bioinformatics tools incorporated in genomic functional studies of C. pseudotuberculosis to discover the different patterns of protein modulation under distinct environmental conditions, and antigenic and drugs targets. Methodology In this study we performed an extensive search in Web of Science of original and relevant articles related to methods, strategy, technology, approaches, and bioinformatics tools focused on the functional study of the genome of C. pseudotuberculosis at the protein level. Results Here, we highlight the use of proteomics for understating several aspects of the physiology and pathogenesis of C. pseudotuberculosis at the protein level. The implementation and use of protocols, strategies, and proteomics approach to characterize the different subcellular fractions of the proteome of this pathogen. In addition, we have discussed the immunoproteomics, immunoinformatics and genetic tools employed to identify targets for immunoassays, drugs, and vaccines against C. pseudotuberculosis infection. Conclusion In this review, we showed that the combination of proteomics and bioinformatics studies is a suitable strategy to elucidate the functional aspects of the C. pseudotuberculosis genome. Together, all information generated from these proteomics studies allowed expanding our knowledge about factors related to the pathophysiology of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderson Marques da Silva
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology-(INTA/CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nubia Seyffert
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Artur Silva
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Center of Genomics and Systems Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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4
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Hennart M, Panunzi LG, Rodrigues C, Gaday Q, Baines SL, Barros-Pinkelnig M, Carmi-Leroy A, Dazas M, Wehenkel AM, Didelot X, Toubiana J, Badell E, Brisse S. Population genomics and antimicrobial resistance in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Genome Med 2020; 12:107. [PMID: 33246485 PMCID: PMC7694903 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00805-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the agent of diphtheria, is a genetically diverse bacterial species. Although antimicrobial resistance has emerged against several drugs including first-line penicillin, the genomic determinants and population dynamics of resistance are largely unknown for this neglected human pathogen. Methods Here, we analyzed the associations of antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, diphtheria toxin production, and genomic features in C. diphtheriae. We used 247 strains collected over several decades in multiple world regions, including the 163 clinical isolates collected prospectively from 2008 to 2017 in France mainland and overseas territories. Results Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple deep-branching sublineages, grouped into a Mitis lineage strongly associated with diphtheria toxin production and a largely toxin gene-negative Gravis lineage with few toxin-producing isolates including the 1990s ex-Soviet Union outbreak strain. The distribution of susceptibility phenotypes allowed proposing ecological cutoffs for most of the 19 agents tested, thereby defining acquired antimicrobial resistance. Penicillin resistance was found in 17.2% of prospective isolates. Seventeen (10.4%) prospective isolates were multidrug-resistant (≥ 3 antimicrobial categories), including four isolates resistant to penicillin and macrolides. Homologous recombination was frequent (r/m = 5), and horizontal gene transfer contributed to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in multiple sublineages. Genome-wide association mapping uncovered genetic factors of resistance, including an accessory penicillin-binding protein (PBP2m) located in diverse genomic contexts. Gene pbp2m is widespread in other Corynebacterium species, and its expression in C. glutamicum demonstrated its effect against several beta-lactams. A novel 73-kb C. diphtheriae multiresistance plasmid was discovered. Conclusions This work uncovers the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance in C. diphtheriae in the context of phylogenetic structure, biovar, and diphtheria toxin production and provides a blueprint to analyze re-emerging diphtheria. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13073-020-00805-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Hennart
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Collège doctoral, Sorbonne Université, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo G Panunzi
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Français de Bioinformatique, CNRS UMS 3601, Evry, France
| | - Carla Rodrigues
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
| | - Quentin Gaday
- Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Sarah L Baines
- Doherty Applied Microbial Genomics, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Annick Carmi-Leroy
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Melody Dazas
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie Wehenkel
- Unité de Microbiologie Structurale, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Didelot
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France.,Department of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France.
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5
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Weerasekera D, Fastner T, Lang R, Burkovski A, Ott L. Of mice and men: Interaction of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains with murine and human phagocytes. Virulence 2020; 10:414-428. [PMID: 31057086 PMCID: PMC6527023 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1614384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains and one toxigenic strain were analyzed with regard to their interaction with murine macrophages (BMM) and human THP-1 macrophage-like cells. Proliferation assays with BMM and THP-1 revealed similar intracellular CFUs for C. diphtheriae strains independent of the host cell. Strain ISS4060 showed highest intracellular CFUs, while the toxigenic DSM43989 was almost not detectable. This result was confirmed by TLR 9 reporter assays, showing a low signal for DSM43989, indicating that the bacteria are not endocytosed. In contrast, the non-pathogenic C. glutamicum showed almost no intracellular CFUs independent of the host cell, but was recognized by TLR9, indicating that the bacteria were degraded immediately after endocytosis. In terms of G-CSF and IL-6 production, no significant differences between BMM and THP-1 were observed. G-CSF production was considerably higher than IL-6 for all C. diphtheriae strains and the C. glutamicum did not induce high cytokine secretion in general. Furthermore, all corynebacteria investigated in this study were able to induce NFκB signaling but only viable C. diphtheriae strains were able to cause host cell damage, whereas C. glutamicum did not. The absence of Mincle resulted in reduced G-CSF production, while no influence on the uptake of the bacteria was observed. In contrast, when MyD88 was absent, both the uptake of the bacteria and cytokine production were blocked. Consequently, phagocytosis only occurs when the TLR/MyD88 pathway is functional, which was also supported by showing that all corynebacteria used in this study interact with human TLR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulanthi Weerasekera
- a Department Biologie , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Tamara Fastner
- a Department Biologie , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Roland Lang
- b Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universtitätsklinikum Erlangen , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- a Department Biologie , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Lisa Ott
- a Department Biologie , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
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6
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Proteomics of diphtheria toxoid vaccines reveals multiple proteins that are immunogenic and may contribute to protection of humans against Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Vaccine 2019; 37:3061-3070. [PMID: 31036455 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduced for mass immunization in the 1920s, vaccines against diphtheria are among the oldest and safest vaccines known. The basic principle of their production is the inactivation of purified diphtheria toxin by formaldehyde cross-linking, which converts the potentially fatal toxin in a completely harmless protein aggregate, which is still immunogenic. Since in addition to diphtheria toxin also other proteins may be secreted by Corynebacterium diphtheriae during cultivation, we assumed that diphtheria toxoid might not be the only component present in the vaccine. To address this question, we established a protocol to reverse formaldehyde cross-linking and carried out mass spectrometric analyses. Different secreted, membrane-associated and cytoplasmic proteins of C. diphtheriae were detected in several vaccine preparations from across the world. Based on these results, bioinformatics and Western blot analyses were applied to characterize if these proteins are immunogenic and may therefore support protection against C. diphtheriae. In frame of this study, we could show that the C. diphtheriae toxoid vaccines induce antibodies against different C. diphtheriae proteins and against diphtheria toxin secreted by Corynebacterium ulcerans, an emerging pathogen which is outnumbering C. diphtheriae as cause of diphtheria-like illness in Western Europe.
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7
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Taniguchi H, Busche T, Patschkowski T, Niehaus K, Pátek M, Kalinowski J, Wendisch VF. Physiological roles of sigma factor SigD in Corynebacterium glutamicum. BMC Microbiol 2017; 17:158. [PMID: 28701150 PMCID: PMC5508688 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1067-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sigma factors are one of the components of RNA polymerase holoenzymes, and an essential factor of transcription initiation in bacteria. Corynebacterium glutamicum possesses seven genes coding for sigma factors, most of which have been studied to some detail; however, the role of SigD in transcriptional regulation in C. glutamicum has been mostly unknown. RESULTS In this work, pleiotropic effects of sigD overexpression at the level of phenotype, transcripts, proteins and metabolites were investigated. Overexpression of sigD decreased the growth rate of C. glutamicum cultures, and induced several physiological effects such as reduced culture foaming, turbid supernatant and cell aggregation. Upon overexpression of sigD, the level of Cmt1 (corynomycolyl transferase) in the supernatant was notably enhanced, and carbohydrate-containing compounds were excreted to the supernatant. The real-time PCR analysis revealed that sigD overexpression increased the expression of genes related to corynomycolic acid synthesis (fadD2, pks), genes encoding corynomycolyl transferases (cop1, cmt1, cmt2, cmt3), L, D-transpeptidase (lppS), a subunit of the major cell wall channel (porH), and the envelope lipid regulation factor (elrF). Furthermore, overexpression of sigD resulted in trehalose dicorynomycolate accumulation in the cell envelope. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that SigD regulates the synthesis of corynomycolate and related compounds, and expanded the knowledge of regulatory functions of sigma factors in C. glutamicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Taniguchi
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tobias Busche
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Patschkowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Proteome and Metabolome Research, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Karsten Niehaus
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Proteome and Metabolome Research, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Miroslav Pátek
- Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
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8
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Hacker E, Antunes CA, Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Burkovski A, Tauch A. Corynebacterium ulcerans, an emerging human pathogen. Future Microbiol 2016; 11:1191-208. [PMID: 27545005 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While formerly known infections of Corynebacterium ulcerans are rare and mainly associated with contact to infected cattle, C. ulcerans has become an emerging pathogen today. In Western Europe, cases of respiratory diphtheria caused by C. ulcerans have been reported more often than infections by Corynebacterium diphtheria, while systemic infections are also increasingly reported. Little is known about factors that contribute to host colonization and virulence of this zoonotic pathogen. Research in this field has received new impetus by the publication of several C. ulcerans genome sequences in the past years. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the basic knowledge of C. ulcerans, as well as the recent advances made in the analysis of putative virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hacker
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Camila A Antunes
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Laboratory of Diphtheria and Clinically Important Corynebacteria (LDCIC), Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana L Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Clinically Important Corynebacteria (LDCIC), Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Professur für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Tauch
- Centrum für Biotechnologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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9
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Barka EA, Vatsa P, Sanchez L, Gaveau-Vaillant N, Jacquard C, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Klenk HP, Clément C, Ouhdouch Y, van Wezel GP. Taxonomy, Physiology, and Natural Products of Actinobacteria. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:1-43. [PMID: 26609051 PMCID: PMC4711186 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00019-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 908] [Impact Index Per Article: 113.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinobacteria are Gram-positive bacteria with high G+C DNA content that constitute one of the largest bacterial phyla, and they are ubiquitously distributed in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Many Actinobacteria have a mycelial lifestyle and undergo complex morphological differentiation. They also have an extensive secondary metabolism and produce about two-thirds of all naturally derived antibiotics in current clinical use, as well as many anticancer, anthelmintic, and antifungal compounds. Consequently, these bacteria are of major importance for biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. Actinobacteria play diverse roles in their associations with various higher organisms, since their members have adopted different lifestyles, and the phylum includes pathogens (notably, species of Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Propionibacterium, and Tropheryma), soil inhabitants (e.g., Micromonospora and Streptomyces species), plant commensals (e.g., Frankia spp.), and gastrointestinal commensals (Bifidobacterium spp.). Actinobacteria also play an important role as symbionts and as pathogens in plant-associated microbial communities. This review presents an update on the biology of this important bacterial phylum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essaid Ait Barka
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Parul Vatsa
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Lisa Sanchez
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Nathalie Gaveau-Vaillant
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Cedric Jacquard
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | | | - Hans-Peter Klenk
- School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Clément
- Laboratoire de Stress, Défenses et Reproduction des Plantes, Unité de Recherche Vignes et Vins de Champagne, UFR Sciences, UPRES EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Yder Ouhdouch
- Faculté de Sciences Semlalia, Université Cadi Ayyad, Laboratoire de Biologie et de Biotechnologie des Microorganismes, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Gilles P van Wezel
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Sylvius Laboratories, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Utilization of host iron sources by Corynebacterium diphtheriae: multiple hemoglobin-binding proteins are essential for the use of iron from the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex. J Bacteriol 2014; 197:553-62. [PMID: 25404705 DOI: 10.1128/jb.02413-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of hemin iron by Corynebacterium diphtheriae requires the DtxR- and iron-regulated ABC hemin transporter HmuTUV and the secreted Hb-binding protein HtaA. We recently described two surface anchored proteins, ChtA and ChtC, which also bind hemin and Hb. ChtA and ChtC share structural similarities to HtaA; however, a function for ChtA and ChtC was not determined. In this study, we identified additional host iron sources that are utilized by C. diphtheriae. We show that several C. diphtheriae strains use the hemoglobin-haptoglobin (Hb-Hp) complex as an iron source. We report that an htaA deletion mutant of C. diphtheriae strain 1737 is unable to use the Hb-Hp complex as an iron source, and we further demonstrate that a chtA-chtC double mutant is also unable to use Hb-Hp iron. Single-deletion mutants of chtA or chtC use Hb-Hp iron in a manner similar to that of the wild type. These findings suggest that both HtaA and either ChtA or ChtC are essential for the use of Hb-Hp iron. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies show that HtaA binds the Hb-Hp complex, and the substitution of a conserved tyrosine (Y361) for alanine in HtaA results in significantly reduced binding. C. diphtheriae was also able to use human serum albumin (HSA) and myoglobin (Mb) but not hemopexin as iron sources. These studies identify a biological function for the ChtA and ChtC proteins and demonstrate that the use of the Hb-Hp complex as an iron source by C. diphtheriae requires multiple iron-regulated surface components.
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Analysis of novel iron-regulated, surface-anchored hemin-binding proteins in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:2852-63. [PMID: 23585541 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00244-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae utilizes hemin and hemoglobin (Hb) as iron sources during growth in iron-depleted environments, and recent studies have shown that the surface-exposed HtaA protein binds both hemin and Hb and also contributes to the utilization of hemin iron. Conserved (CR) domains within HtaA and in the associated hemin-binding protein, HtaB, are required for the ability to bind hemin and Hb. In this study, we identified and characterized two novel genetic loci in C. diphtheriae that encode factors that bind hemin and Hb. Both genetic systems contain two-gene operons that are transcriptionally regulated by DtxR and iron. The gene products of these operons are ChtA-ChtB and ChtC-CirA (previously DIP0522-DIP0523). The chtA and chtB genes are carried on a putative composite transposon associated with C. diphtheriae isolates that dominated the diphtheria outbreak in the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. ChtA and ChtC each contain a single N-terminal CR domain and exhibit significant sequence similarity to each other but only limited similarity with HtaA. The chtB and htaB gene products exhibited a high level of sequence similarity throughout their sequences, and both proteins contain a single CR domain. Whole-cell binding studies as well as protease analysis indicated that all four of the proteins encoded by these two operons are surface exposed, which is consistent with the presence of a transmembrane segment in their C-terminal regions. ChtA, ChtB, and ChtC are able to bind hemin and Hb, with ChtA showing the highest affinity. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that specific tyrosine residues within the ChtA CR domain were critical for hemin and Hb binding. Hemin iron utilization assays using various C. diphtheriae mutants indicate that deletion of the chtA-chtB region and the chtC gene has no affect on the ability of C. diphtheriae to use hemin or Hb as iron sources; however, a chtB htaB double mutant exhibits a significant decrease in hemin iron use, indicating a role in hemin transport for HtaB and ChtB.
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Rainczuk AK, Yamaryo-Botte Y, Brammananth R, Stinear TP, Seemann T, Coppel RL, McConville MJ, Crellin PK. The lipoprotein LpqW is essential for the mannosylation of periplasmic glycolipids in Corynebacteria. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:42726-38. [PMID: 23091062 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.373415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIM), lipomannan (LM), and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) are essential components of the cell wall and plasma membrane of mycobacteria, including the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as the related Corynebacterineae. We have previously shown that the lipoprotein, LpqW, regulates PIM and LM/LAM biosynthesis in mycobacteria. Here, we provide direct evidence that LpqW regulates the activity of key mannosyltransferases in the periplasmic leaflet of the cell membrane. Inactivation of the Corynebacterium glutamicum lpqW ortholog, NCgl1054, resulted in a slow growth phenotype and a global defect in lipoglycan biosynthesis. The NCgl1054 mutant lacked LAMs and was defective in the elongation of the major PIM species, AcPIM2, as well as a second glycolipid, termed Gl-X (mannose-α1-4-glucuronic acid-α1-diacylglycerol), which function as membrane anchors for LM-A and LM-B, respectively. Elongation of AcPIM2 and Gl-X was found to be dependent on expression of polyprenol phosphomannose (ppMan) synthase. However, the ΔNCgl1054 mutant synthesized normal levels of ppMan, indicating that LpqW is not required for synthesis of this donor. A spontaneous suppressor strain was isolated in which lipoglycan synthesis in the ΔNCgl1054 mutant was partially restored. Genome-wide sequencing indicated that a single amino acid substitution within the ppMan-dependent mannosyltransferase MptB could bypass the need for LpqW. Further evidence of an interaction is provided by the observation that MptB activity in cell-free extracts was significantly reduced in the absence of LpqW. Collectively, our results suggest that LpqW may directly activate MptB, highlighting the role of lipoproteins in regulating key cell wall biosynthetic pathways in these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arek K Rainczuk
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Abstract
Nanobodies are the smallest fragments of naturally occurring single-domain antibodies that have evolved to be fully functional in the absence of a light chain. Conventional antibodies are glycoproteins comprising two heavy and two light chains. Surprisingly, all members of the Camelidae family possess a fraction of antibodies devoid of both light chains and the first constant domain. These types of antibodies are known as heavy-chain antibody (HcAb) nanobodies. There are three subclasses of IgG in dromedaries, namely IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 of which IgG2 and IgG3 are of the HcAb type. These heavy chain antibodies constitute approximately 50% of the IgG in llama serum and as much as 75% of the IgG in camel serum. In the present work, the different IgG subclasses from an immunized camel (Camelus dromedarius) with divalent diphtheria-tetanus vaccine were purified using their different affinity for protein A and protein G and their absorbance measured at 280 nm. Purity control and characterization by 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of IgG subclasses was done under reducing conditions. Protein bands were visualized after staining with Coomassie Blue, showing two bands at 50 kDa and 30 kDa for IgG1, while IgG2 and IgG3 produced only one band at 46 kDa and 43 kDa, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test using diphtheria toxin and purified IgG subclasses from the immunized camel were performed to evaluate their efficiency. Compared with conventional IgG1, heavy chain antibodies (nanobodies) were shown to be more efficient in binding to diphtheria toxin antigen. This study revealed the possibility of using IgG2 and IgG3 nanobodies as an effective antitoxin for the treatment of diphtheria in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada H Shaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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COLLINS MD, JONES DOROTHY. Lipids in the Classification and Identification of Coryneform Bacteria Containing Peptidoglycans Based on 2, 4-diaminobutyric Acid. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1980.tb01036.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 626] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Schiffler B, Barth E, Daffé M, Benz R. Corynebacterium diphtheriae: identification and characterization of a channel-forming protein in the cell wall. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:7709-19. [PMID: 17720794 PMCID: PMC2168714 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00864-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2007] [Accepted: 08/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell wall fraction of the gram-positive, nontoxic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain C8r(-) Tox- (=ATCC 11913) contained a channel-forming protein, as judged from reconstitution experiments with artificial lipid bilayer experiments. The channel-forming protein was present in detergent-treated cell walls and in extracts of whole cells obtained using organic solvents. The protein had an apparent molecular mass of about 66 kDa as determined on Tricine-containing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels and consisted of subunits having a molecular mass of about 5 kDa. Single-channel experiments with the purified protein suggested that the protein formed channels with a single-channel conductance of 2.25 nS in 1 M KCl. Further single-channel analysis suggested that the cell wall channel is wide and water filled because it has only slight selectivity for cations over anions and its conductance followed the mobility sequence of cations and anions in the aqueous phase. Antibodies raised against PorA, the subunit of the cell wall channel of Corynebacterium glutamicum, detected both monomers and oligomers of the isolated protein, suggesting that there are highly conserved epitopes in the cell wall channels of C. diphtheriae and PorA. Localization of the protein on the cell surface was confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prospective homology of PorA with the cell wall channel of C. diphtheriae was used to identify the cell wall channel gene, cdporA, in the known genome of C. diphtheriae. The gene and its flanking regions were cloned and sequenced. CdporA is a protein that is 43 amino acids long and does not have a leader sequence. cdporA was expressed in a C. glutamicum strain that lacked the major outer membrane channels PorA and PorH. Organic solvent extracts of the transformed cells formed in lipid bilayer membranes the same channels as the purified CdporA protein of C. diphtheriae formed, suggesting that the expressed protein is able to complement the PorA and PorH deficiency of the C. glutamicum strain. The study is the first report of a cell wall channel in a pathogenic Corynebacterium strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Schiffler
- Lehrstuhl für Biotechnologie, Biozentrum der Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
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Ventura M, Canchaya C, Tauch A, Chandra G, Fitzgerald GF, Chater KF, van Sinderen D. Genomics of Actinobacteria: tracing the evolutionary history of an ancient phylum. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2007; 71:495-548. [PMID: 17804669 PMCID: PMC2168647 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00005-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 597] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Actinobacteria constitute one of the largest phyla among bacteria and represent gram-positive bacteria with a high G+C content in their DNA. This bacterial group includes microorganisms exhibiting a wide spectrum of morphologies, from coccoid to fragmenting hyphal forms, as well as possessing highly variable physiological and metabolic properties. Furthermore, Actinobacteria members have adopted different lifestyles, and can be pathogens (e.g., Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Tropheryma, and Propionibacterium), soil inhabitants (Streptomyces), plant commensals (Leifsonia), or gastrointestinal commensals (Bifidobacterium). The divergence of Actinobacteria from other bacteria is ancient, making it impossible to identify the phylogenetically closest bacterial group to Actinobacteria. Genome sequence analysis has revolutionized every aspect of bacterial biology by enhancing the understanding of the genetics, physiology, and evolutionary development of bacteria. Various actinobacterial genomes have been sequenced, revealing a wide genomic heterogeneity probably as a reflection of their biodiversity. This review provides an account of the recent explosion of actinobacterial genomics data and an attempt to place this in a biological and evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ventura
- Department of Genetics, Biology of Microorganisms, Anthropology and Evolution, University of Parma, parco Area delle Scienze 11a, 43100 Parma, Italy.
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Oram DM, Avdalovic A, Holmes RK. Analysis of genes that encode DtxR-like transcriptional regulators in pathogenic and saprophytic corynebacterial species. Infect Immun 2004; 72:1885-95. [PMID: 15039307 PMCID: PMC375144 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.4.1885-1895.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-dependent transcriptional regulators of the diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) family have been identified in a wide variety of bacterial genera, where they control gene expression in response to one of two metal ions, Fe(2+) or Mn(2+). DtxR of Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the best characterized of these important metal-dependent regulators. The genus Corynebacterium includes many phenotypically diverse species, and the prevalence of DtxR-like regulators within the genus is unknown. We assayed chromosomal DNA from 42 different corynebacterial isolates, representing 33 different species, for the presence of a highly conserved region of the dtxR gene that encodes the DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif and metal-binding site 1 within domains 1 and 2 of DtxR. The chromosome of all of the isolates contained this conserved region of dtxR, and DNA sequencing revealed a high level of nucleotide sequence conservation within this region in all of the corynebacterial species (ranging from 62 to 100% identity and averaging 70% identity with the dtxR prototype). The level of identity was even greater for the predicted protein sequences encoded by the dtxR-like genes, ranging from 81 to 100% identity and averaging 91% identity with DtxR. Using a DtxR-specific antiserum we confirmed the presence of a DtxR-like protein in extracts of most of the corynebacterial isolates and determined the precise amount of DtxR per cell in C. diphtheriae. The high level of identity at both DNA and protein levels suggests that all of the isolates tested encode a functional DtxR-like Fe(2+)-activated regulatory protein that can bind homologs of the DtxR operator and regulate gene expression in response to iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Marra Oram
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA
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Rifaat HM, Márialigeti K, Kovács G. Investigations on rhizoplane Actinobacteria communities of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) from an Egyptian wetland. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 2003; 49:423-32. [PMID: 12512252 DOI: 10.1556/amicr.49.2002.4.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Wetlands have important global ecological functions, which include carbon storage and water interception. Wetland contributes to the maintenance of regional and global biodiversity. Though many important wetland ecological functions are based on microbial metabolism, we have scanty knowledge on microbial diversity in wetlands. Plant rhizoplane habitats are considered to harbor highly diverse bacterial communities. Most of the floating mats on river Nile are dominated by papyrus (Cyperus papyrus). Papyrus root samples were collected from a floating mat at the "Gold Island" inside the Nile River at Cairo, Egypt in February 1996 and May 1997 in order to investigate the rhizoplane actinobacteria communities. The root-tip regions were cut off, repeatedly washed, macerated and plated. Using the plate-count technique with three actinobacteria media, an average of 2.1 x 10(4) CFUg-1 root actinobacteria were obtained. All actinobacteria colonies were isolated, purified and investigated by classical and molecular methods. In the papyrus rhizoplane Streptomyces anulatus, Micromonospora sp., Rhodococcus luteus, Verrucosispora gifhornensis and Aureobacterium liquefaciens dominated, moreover Actinoplanes utahensis, and Str. diastaticus were also present. The physiological traits of the members of dominant groups revealed that these bacteria might be active in the rhizoplane and can be present there is their vegetative forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Rifaat
- Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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Fletcher JM, Nair SP, Ward JM, Henderson B, Wilson M. Analysis of the effect of changing environmental conditions on the expression patterns of exported surface-associated proteins of the oral pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Microb Pathog 2001; 30:359-68. [PMID: 11399142 DOI: 10.1006/mpat.2000.0439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been specifically implicated in the aetiology of one or more of the periodontal diseases, conditions in which inflammation of the gums is associated with destruction of the alveolar bone supporting the teeth. In these diseases there is loss of attachment of the gums (gingivae) to the teeth forming a periodontal pocket. The microenvironment of this pocket is extremely complex and it is likely that there will be substantial variation in the environmental conditions operating in this habitat. The aim of the current investigation was to study the effect of disease-relevant environmental factors on the production and release of secreted surface- associated proteins of A. actinomycetemcomitans. These secreted proteins contain many of the virulence determinants of this organism. A range of environmental conditions were investigated: growth in a CO(2)-enriched aerobic atmosphere vs anaerobic growth, presence of serum or blood, biofilm vs planktonic mode of growth and iron depletion. Differential expression of a number of the secreted surface-associated proteins was observed under different growth conditions and these included the glycolytic enzyme triose phosphate isomerase. An ability to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions may facilitate the survival of the organism in the changing microIenvironment of the periodontal pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Fletcher
- Department of Microbiology, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK
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Puech V, Bayan N, Salim K, Leblon G, Daffé M. Characterization of the in vivo acceptors of the mycoloyl residues transferred by the corynebacterial PS1 and the related mycobacterial antigens 85. Mol Microbiol 2000; 35:1026-41. [PMID: 10712685 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01738.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mycolic acids, long-chain (C70-C90) alpha-alkyl, beta-hydroxy fatty acids, are characteristic cell envelope components of mycobacteria; similar but shorter-chain substances occur in corynebacteria and related taxa. These compounds apparently play an important role in the physiology of these bacteria. The deduced N-terminal region of PS1, one of the two major secreted proteins of Corynebacterium glutamicum encoded by the csp1 gene, is similar to the antigens 85 complex of Mycobacterium tuberculosis which has been shown to be associated in vitro with a mycoloyltransferase activity onto trehalose. Overexpression of PS1 in the wild-type strain of C. glutamicum suggested the implication of the protein in the transfer of corynomycolates, evidenced by an increase esterification of the cell wall arabinogalactan with corynomycolic acid residues and an accumulation of trehalose dicorynomycolates. Overexpression of truncated forms of PS1 demonstrated that the crucial region for transfer activity of the protein involves all the region of homology with antigens 85. To establish the putative mycoloyltransferase activity of PS1, a csp1-inactivated mutant of C. glutamicum was biochemically characterized. Inactivation of the gene resulted in: (i) a 50% decrease in the cell wall corynomycolate content; (ii) the alteration of the permeability of the C. glutamicum cell envelope; (iii) the decrease of the trehalose dicorynomycolate content; (iv) the accumulation of trehalose monocorynomycolate; and (v) the appearance of a glycolipid identified as 6-corynomycoloylglucose. Complementation of the mutant by the csp1 gene fully restored the wild-type phenotype. Finally, a mycoloyltransferase assay established that PS1 possesses a trehalose mycoloyltransferase activity. To define the in vivo function of antigens 85, the csp1-inactivated mutant was complemented with the fbpA, fbpB or fbpC genes. Complementation with the different fbp genes restored the normal cell wall corynomycolate content and permeability, but did not affect either the fate of trehalose corynomycolates or the occurrence of glucose corynomycolate. Thus, PS1 is one of the enzymes that transfer corynomycoloyl residues onto both the cell wall arabinogalactan and trehalose monocorynomycolate, whereas in the whole bacterium the mycobacterial antigens 85A, 85B and 85C can transfer mycolates only onto the cell wall acceptor in C. glutamicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Puech
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UPR 9062, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077, Toulouse Cedex, France
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Lee JH, Wang T, Ault K, Liu J, Schmitt MP, Holmes RK. Identification and characterization of three new promoter/operators from Corynebacterium diphtheriae that are regulated by the diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) and iron. Infect Immun 1997; 65:4273-80. [PMID: 9317037 PMCID: PMC175613 DOI: 10.1128/iai.65.10.4273-4280.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
DtxR is a dimeric, sequence-specific, DNA-binding protein that functions as an iron-dependent, negative global regulator in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Under high-iron conditions, DtxR represses the synthesis of diphtheria toxin, corynebacterial siderophore, and other components of the high-affinity iron uptake system. Three DtxR-regulated promoter/operators designated tox, IRP1, and IRP2 were reported previously. In this study, we identified and characterized three additional DtxR-regulated promoter/operators from C. diphtheriae designated IRP3, IRP4, and IRP5. When beta-galactosidase was expressed from these three new promoter/ operators in Escherichia coli containing dtxR+ on pDSK29, enzyme levels were 5- to 30-fold lower during high-iron growth than during low-iron growth. In gel shift assays, the mobility of DNA fragments containing each promoter/operator decreased in the presence of purified DtxR and Co2+. In footprinting assays, DtxR protected 36-, 35-, and 30-bp regions of IRP3, IRP4, and IRP5, respectively, from cleavage by DNase I. In the 19-bp core of each promoter/operator, 12 or 13 bp matched the consensus for the DtxR-binding site. The putative polypeptides encoded by the open reading frames (ORFs) downstream from IRP3 and IRP4 were homologous, respectively, to several bacterial transcriptional regulators and to the deduced polypeptide encoded by an ORF located between the E. coli genes for primosomal replication protein N and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase. The putative polypeptide encoded by the ORF downstream from IRP5 was not homologous to any sequence in the protein database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. When the ORFs downstream from IRP3 and IRP4 were expressed under the control of the phage T7 promoter in E. coli, polypeptide products of the predicted sizes were detected in small amounts by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Lee
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA
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Jäger W, Kalinowski J, Pühler A. A Corynebacterium glutamicum gene conferring multidrug resistance in the heterologous host Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 1997; 179:2449-51. [PMID: 9079937 PMCID: PMC178988 DOI: 10.1128/jb.179.7.2449-2451.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A chromosomal DNA fragment from the erythromycin-sensitive bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 was shown to mediate resistance against erythromycin, tetracycline, puromycin, and bleomycin in Escherichia coli. Multicopy cloning of the fragment did not cause a resistance phenotype in C. glutamicum. The corresponding gene encodes a hydrophobic protein with 12 potential transmembrane-spanning ex-helical segments showing similarity to drug-H+ antiporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Jäger
- Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bielefeld, Germany
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Qiu X, Pohl E, Holmes RK, Hol WG. High-resolution structure of the diphtheria toxin repressor complexed with cobalt and manganese reveals an SH3-like third domain and suggests a possible role of phosphate as co-corepressor. Biochemistry 1996; 35:12292-302. [PMID: 8823163 DOI: 10.1021/bi960861d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) in complex with the corepressor Co2+ has been determined at 2.0 A resolution and in complex with Mn2+ at 2.2 A resolution. The structure of the flexible third domain could be determined at this high resolution. It appears to contain five antiparallel strands exhibiting a fold very similar to the SH3 domain. A superposition of 46 equivalent C alpha atoms of DtxR and alpha-spectrin SH3 resulted in an rms deviation of 3.0 A. The sequence identity is only 7%. This third domain of DtxR appears to have no interactions with the DNA binding domain nor with the metal binding domain of the repressor. Yet, flexibility in the region between the second and the third domain allows in principle significant conformational changes such as might occur upon DNA binding. The two metal binding sites in the second domain have been unraveled in considerable detail. Metal binding site 1 was well occupied in both the cobalt and manganese structures and showed a surprising sulfate ion as ligand. The sulfate was proven beyond doubt by the high peak at its position in a selenate versus sulfate difference Fourier. The presence of the intriguing sulfate ion at such a crucial position near the metal corepressor suggests the possibility that under physiological conditions phosphate may act as a "co-corepressor" for this class of metal-regulated DNA binding proteins in Corynebacteria, Mycobacteria, and related organisms. The second metal binding site is significantly different in these two DtxR structures. In the 2.0 A cobalt structure, the site is not occupied by a metal ion. In the 2.2 A manganese structure the site is well occupied, at approximately the same position as observed previously in cadmium DtxR. The ligands are Glu105, His106, the carbonyl oxygen of Cys102, and a water molecule. The reasons for differential occupancy of this site in different structures are intriguing and require further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Qiu
- Department of Biological Structure, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA
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Schürholz T, Wilimzig M, Katsiou E, Eichenlaub R. Anion channel forming activity from the plant pathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganense ssp. nebraskense. J Membr Biol 1991; 123:1-8. [PMID: 1723101 DOI: 10.1007/bf01993957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The plant pathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganense ssp. nebraskense secretes an anion channel forming activity (CFA) into the culture field. The CFA inserts spontaneously into planar lipid membranes when culture fluid of this species is added to the aqueous phase of the bilayer chamber. The channels formed are highly anion selective. The conductance decreases for larger anions (Cl- greater than SCN- greater than SO2-(4] and is practically zero for gluconate. The channels show a unique voltage dependence: (i) The single-channel conductance increases linearly with voltage up to 200 mV saturating at 250 mV with 25 +/- 1 pS (300 mM KCl). The channel is closed at negative voltage relative to the side of insertion (diode-type I-V curve). (ii) The average number of open channels also increases with voltage. The Poisson distribution of channel numbers indicates independent opening of the channels. Channel activity can be abolished by protease treatment of the planar bilayer. The channels can be blocked by indanyloxyacetic acid (IAA-94) and by pH greater than 10. The CFA was purified yielding one major band on the SDS gel with a relative molecular mass of 65,000. The putative involvement of the CFA in the toxicity of this plant pathogen is discussed and compared to other toxins like colicins and to the diptheria toxin group.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Schürholz
- Fakultät für Chemie, Lehrstuhl Biophysikalische Chemie, Universität Bielefeld, Federal Republic of Germany
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25
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Abstract
Two strains of Bacillus pumilus (M11 and M38) and one strain each of Bacillus cereus (M27), Bacillus subtilis (M67), and Enterobacter agglomerans (M14) were identified from the air of Lancashire cotton mills. These strains were tested for cytopathic effects in Vero cells; B pumilus and B cereus strains were also examined for haemolytic activity, lecithinase production, and proteolytic action on casein. Rounding and clumping of the Vero cells occurred after the addition of supernatants prepared from B pumilus and B cereus strains; finger-like projections developed in the cells treated with B pumilus supernatants. Minimal effects occurred with B subtilis and E agglomerans. After two hours of exposure B pumilus (M11) produced the greatest effect, but treatment with trypan blue showed that most cells exposed to the M11 strain were still alive after 96 hours of exposure; those exposed to the supernatant prepared from the M38 strain of B pumilus were dead. Sheep erythrocytes were lysed more rapidly by B cereus than by B pumilus, B cereus (strongly positive) had a greater effect on lecithin than either of the B pumilus strains (M38 weakly positive, M11 negative). All hydrolised casein but the effect was more rapid with one of the B pumilus (M11) strains. It is concluded that not only do the toxins of B pumilus differ from those of B cereus, but there are also differences between the toxins produced by the two strains of B pumilus (M11 and M38).
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Affiliation(s)
- B Hoult
- Department of Pathological Sciences, University of Manchester
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26
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Hottat F, Coene M, Cocito C. DNA methylation in leprosy-associated bacteria: Mycobacterium leprae and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum. Med Microbiol Immunol 1987; 177:33-45. [PMID: 2828900 DOI: 10.1007/bf00190309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The DNAs of two kinds of microorganisms from human leprosy lesion, Mycobacterium leprae and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum (also known as "leprosy-derived corynebacterium" or LDC), have been analysed and compared with the genomes of reference bacteria of the CMN group (genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium and Nocardia). The guanine-plus-cytosine content (% GC) of DNA was determined by a double-labelling procedure, which is unaffected by the presence of modified and unusual bases (that alter both buoyant density and mid-melting-point determinations). Accordingly, the DNAs of seven LDC strains had GC values of 54-56 mol %, and that of armadillo-grown M. leprae a value of 54.8 +/- 0.9 mol %. Restriction patterns disclosed no methylated cytosine in the DNA sequences CCGG, GGCC, AGCT and GATC of either LDC or M. leprae DNA. N6-methyl adenine was present in the sequence GATC of all LDC strains, but was missing from the genomes of all others CMN organisms analysed, including M. leprae. By HPLC analysis of LDC-DNA hydrolysates, it was found that N6-methyladenine amounted to 1.8% of total DNA adenine, and was present exclusively within GATC sequences, which appeared all to be methylated. It is concluded that LDC represent a group of corynebacteria endowed with high genetic homogeneity and a unique restriction pattern, whereby their genome is easily distinguished from that of M. leprae, which has a similar base composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hottat
- Microbiology and Genetics Unit, University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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27
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Cocito C, Delville J. Biological, chemical, immunological and staining properties of bacteria isolated from tissues of leprosy patients. Eur J Epidemiol 1985; 1:202-31. [PMID: 2429862 DOI: 10.1007/bf00234095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Two kinds of microorganisms are found in tissue of leprosy patients: Mycobacterium leprae (ML) and leprosy derived corynebacteria (LDC). ML from untreated patients has an alcohol-acid-fastness, which is lost upon treatment with antibiotics and immune response (tuberculoid leprosy). Vulnerable ML thus produced can be reversibly de-stained by organic solvent: in tissue sections from tuberculoid and treated patients, more bacteria are, thus, revealed by the Wade-Fite than by the Ziehl-Neelsen procedure. Organisms of genera Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium and Nocardia (CMN group), have DNA with %GC contents of 50-70, 69-72, and 68-70 respectively. GC values of DNA from ML and LDC are close to 56%. DNA from different LDC strains display high homology among them and low homology with reference corynebacteria. CMN cell wall consists of interconnected peptidoglycan and polysaccharide-mycolate complex. Peptidoglycan of LDC (and known CMN) has the polysaccharide backbone linked to a tetrapeptide of L-Ala, D-Glu, m-DAP (meso-diaminopimelate), D-Ala. In ML, L-Ala is replaced by glycine. Mycobacterial wall polysaccharides (that of ML is unknown) are branched arabinogalactans with end arabinoses linked to C70 to C90 mycolates. LDC peripheral polysaccharides are arabinogalactomannans with arabinose and mannose lateral strands. Mycolic acids of LDC are of corynomycolic type (C32, C34 and C36 with 1-4 double bonds) and those of ML are of mycobacterial type. Components of CMN wall and cytoplasm are immunologically active as antigens (polysaccharides, proteins), haptens (lipids) and adjuvants (peptidoglycans). Strong intrageneric and weak intergenera crossreactions are observed among CMN bacteria: LDC preparations, however, crossreact strongly with ML and mycobacteria, and weakly with reference corynebacteria. LDC in leprosy tissues can, thus, be revealed as well by fluorescent anti-LDC antisera as by anti-ML antisera. The main crossreacting component is antigen M1 of LDC, which corresponds to antigens Ag 7 of ML and Ag60 of BCG, the active components of lepromin and tuberculin (known reagents for cutaneous tests). Antigen M1 has a polysaccharide moiety crossreacting with the wall polysaccharide of LDC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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28
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Russell LM, Holmes RK. Highly toxinogenic but avirulent Park-Williams 8 strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae does not produce siderophore. Infect Immun 1985; 47:575-8. [PMID: 3155709 PMCID: PMC263213 DOI: 10.1128/iai.47.2.575-578.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly toxinogenic Park-Williams 8 strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae grows slowly in vitro and is avirulent. C. diphtheriae Park-Williams 8 is defective in iron uptake and does not produce the corynebacterial siderophore corynebactin. Addition of partially purified corynebactin stimulated iron uptake and growth of iron-deprived C. diphtheriae Park-Williams 8 cells.
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29
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30
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Brown S, Lanéelle MA, Asselineau J, Barksdale L. Description of Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum sp. nov., a leprosy-derived Corynebacterium. ANNALES DE MICROBIOLOGIE 1984; 135B:251-67. [PMID: 6532280 DOI: 10.1016/s0769-2609(84)80093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Leprosy-derived corynebacteria (LDC) have been extensively studied over the past decade. A composite of their biological properties (cell morphology, staining reactions, cellular inclusions and guanine-plus-cytosine content of their deoxyribonucleic acid; 16 strains studied) and their chemical structures (peptidoglycan type, major cell wall polysaccharide, major glycolipid as well as characteristic mycolic acids) appears to define them as members of the genus Corynebacterium. In relation to other corynebacteria found in humans, including "JK corynebacteria", they seem to be distinct. They are here named Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum sp. nov. because they produce a 10-methyloctadecanoic (tuberculostearic) acid (8 strains studied). This and some of their other attributes are considered in relation to properties of leprosy bacilli and Mycobacterium leprae.
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31
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Groman N, Schiller J, Russell J. Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis responses to DNA probes derived from corynephage beta and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Infect Immun 1984; 45:511-7. [PMID: 6086530 PMCID: PMC263276 DOI: 10.1128/iai.45.2.511-517.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Strains of Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Corynebacterium ovis) were examined for the production of diphtheria toxin. A majority of C. ulcerans strains (25 of 37) and 1 C. pseudotuberculosis strain (1 of 14) gave a positive Elek test for diphtheria toxin, and for all strains but 1, production of diphtheria toxin was inhibited at the same level of Fe2+ as was the Corynebacterium diphtheriae control. All Elek-positive cultures as well as two Elek-negative isolates of C. ulcerans gave a positive signal when hybridized with a DNA probe unambiguous for the diphtheria toxin gene (tox) under conditions of high stringency. The majority of probe-positive C. ulcerans strains contained three or more DNA restriction fragments that hybridized with converting corynephage beta, suggesting that in C. ulcerans as in C. diphtheriae there may be a relationship between toxinogeny and carriage of beta-related phage. Selected strains of C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, and C. pseudotuberculosis were examined for DNA homology by a semiquantitative technique. There was very little homology between C. diphtheriae and members of the other two species. Strains of C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis, although more closely related, appeared to belong to distinct species as well.
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32
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Russell LM, Cryz SJ, Holmes RK. Genetic and biochemical evidence for a siderophore-dependent iron transport system in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Infect Immun 1984; 45:143-9. [PMID: 6429042 PMCID: PMC263291 DOI: 10.1128/iai.45.1.143-149.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
During growth under conditions of iron deprivation, Corynebacterium diphtheriae secreted a siderophore into the culture medium. This extracellular siderophore was necessary for rates of iron uptake at pH 8.0 by C. diphtheriae C7 and related strains. We isolated a mutant of C. diphtheriae C7(beta), strain HC6, which did not make the corynebacterial siderophore. Strain HC6 grew very poorly, even under high-iron conditions, and had a severe defect in iron transport. Both growth and iron uptake by strain HC6 were greatly stimulated by the corynebacterial siderophore. We used strain HC6 to develop a bioassay for the corynebacterial siderophore and to look for other potential siderophores for C. diphtheriae. Among the purified phenolate and hydroxamate siderophores tested, only aerobactin was able to stimulate the growth of strain HC6. Partial purification of the corynebacterial siderophore was achieved. The siderophore did not give positive reactions in the Arnow test for phenolates or the Csaky test for hydroxamates and may have a novel chemical structure.
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33
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Schiller J, Strom M, Groman N, Coyle M. Relationship between pNG2, an Emr plasmid in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and plasmids in aerobic skin coryneforms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1983; 24:892-901. [PMID: 6318665 PMCID: PMC185403 DOI: 10.1128/aac.24.6.892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythromycin-resistant (Emr) coryneforms from cutaneous lesions and erythromycin-susceptible (Ems) coryneforms from normal skin sites were screened for plasmids. Approximately one-third of the 40 isolates carried one or more plasmids ranging in mass from 2.5 to 36 megadaltons, all exhibiting different restriction enzyme digest patterns. In contrast, only Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains comprising a single cohort of apparently identical Emr, pNG2-carrying isolates have been identified as plasmid carriers. Homology was demonstrated between pNG2 and a number of fragments in restriction enzyme digests of plasmids from both Emr and Ems skin coryneforms under high-stringency conditions. However, none was detected between pNG2 and the genomic or plasmid DNAs of Emr staphylococci or streptococci isolated concurrently with the Emr coryneforms. One coryneform plasmid, pNG34, exhibited extensive homology with pNG2, and many comigrating fragments were observed. Very little relationship was observed between C. diphtheriae and the skin coryneforms when their genomic DNAs were hybridized. The origin and presence of pNG2 in Emr C. diphtheriae is discussed in relation to these findings.
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34
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Deacock SJ, Steward KA, Carne HR. The role of adherence in determining the site of infection by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J Hyg (Lond) 1983; 90:415-24. [PMID: 6408164 PMCID: PMC2134277 DOI: 10.1017/s0022172400029053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Twenty-nine strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated from throats and 29 strains from skin lesions, the latter mainly from communities of low socio-economic status in tropics and cold climates, have been examined for the property of adherence to human buccal epithelial cells. All throat strains showed adherence. In contrast, strains from skin lesions were predominantly poor adherers. These results indicate that strains of C. diptheriae from throats must now be added to the important group of pathogens which possess the property of adherence to surface epithelial cells of mucous membranes, thus providing an essential first step in the process of colonizing their hosts. The possible role of this phenomenon of adherence to bucco-pharyngeal epithelial cells in the evolution of the host-parasite relationship of C. diphtheriae is discussed.
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35
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Cryz SJ, Russell LM, Holmes RK. Regulation of toxinogenesis in Corynebacterium diphtheriae: mutations in the bacterial genome that alter the effects of iron on toxin production. J Bacteriol 1983; 154:245-52. [PMID: 6403502 PMCID: PMC217453 DOI: 10.1128/jb.154.1.245-252.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutants of Corynebacterium diphtheriae C7(beta) that are resistant to the inhibitory effects of iron on toxinogenesis were identified by their ability to form colonies surrounded by toxin-antitoxin halos on agar medium containing both antitoxin and a high concentration of iron. Chromosomal mutations were essential for the altered phenotypes of four independently isolated mutant strains. During growth in deferrated liquid medium containing various amounts of added iron, these mutants differed from wild-type C. diphtheriae C7(beta) in several ways. Their growth rates were slower under low-iron conditions and were stimulated to various degrees under high-iron conditions. The concentrations of iron at which optimal toxin production occurred were higher for the mutants than for wild-type C. diphtheriae C7(beta). Toxin production by the mutants during growth in low-iron medium occurred throughout the period of exponential growth at nearly constant rates that were proportional to the bacterial growth rates. In contrast, toxin production by wild-type C. diphtheriae C7(beta) in similar low-iron cultures occurred predominantly during the late exponential phase, when iron was a growth-limiting nutrient. Additional studies demonstrated that these mutants had severe defects in their transport systems for ferric iron. We propose that the altered regulation of toxinogenesis by iron in our mutants was caused by the severe defects in their iron transport systems. As a consequence, the mutants exhibited a low-iron phenotype during growth under conditions that permitted wild-type C. diphtheriae C7(beta) to exhibit a high-iron phenotype.
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36
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Rappuoli R, Michel JL, Murphy JR. Integration of corynebacteriophages beta tox+, omega tox+, and gamma tox- into two attachment sites on the Corynebacterium diphtheriae chromosome. J Bacteriol 1983; 153:1202-10. [PMID: 6402488 PMCID: PMC221764 DOI: 10.1128/jb.153.3.1202-1210.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial attachment sites of independently isolated Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains C7s and (belfanti)1030 lysogenic for corynebacteriophages beta tox+, omega tox+, and gamma tox- were determined by Southern blot analysis. Both corynebacterial strains contained two distinct bacterial attachment sites (attB1 and attB2). We found that infection by any of the three closely related corynebacteriophages may give rise to single, double, and triple lysogens. In the case of toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains C7s(beta tox+) and C7s(omega tox+), the final yields of diphtheria toxin produced under optimal conditions were equivalent and varied by one-, two-, or threefold depending upon the number of integrated prophage.
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37
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Rappuoli R, Michel JL, Murphy JR. Restriction endonuclease map of corynebacteriophage omega ctox+ isolated from the Park-Williams no. 8 strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J Virol 1983; 45:524-30. [PMID: 6300416 PMCID: PMC256445 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.45.2.524-530.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The toxigenic corynebacteriophage omega tox+ was isolated from the hypertoxigenic Park-Williams no. 8 (PW8) strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and compared with the toxigenic corynebacteriophage beta tox+. The physical size and host range of both phages were found to be identical. An endonuclease restriction map of omega tox+ was constructed, and the locations of the cohesive ends (cos), phage attachment site (attP), and the diphtheria tox operon were identified. The genome of omega tox+ was found to differ from that of beta tox+ in three regions. In addition, omega tox+ was shown to be integrated into two nontandem corynebacterial phage attachment sites (attB1, attB2) in the PW8 chromosome. The differences in the restriction endonuclease digestion maps of omega tox+ and beta tox+ and the contribution of double lysogeny are discussed in relation to the hypertoxigenicity of the PW8 strain.
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38
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Abstract
The exotoxins produced by ten strains of C. ulcerans (two human, six bovine and two equine) have been studied. On the criteria of toxin-antitoxin neutralisation and immunoprecipitation tests using highly specific diphtheria and C. ovis antitoxins with crude toxic filtrates, (NH4)2SO4 concentrates, and partially purified chromatographic preparations of these, together with the presence or absence of inhibition of the action of staphylococcal beta-haemolysin, and the reaction produced when injected intradermally into rabbits, two toxins could be identified, namely diphtheria toxin and C. ovis toxin. There was no evidence for the production of a third toxin specific for C. ulcerans. Five strains produced both diphtheria and C. ovis toxins. In four diphtheria toxin predominated, but in the fifth C. ovis toxin predominated. Two strains produced only diphtheria toxin and two only C. ovis toxin, though there was good but not complete evidence that a third strain (Revell) also fell into this latter group. Considerable variation occurred in the concentration of each toxin and, where both were present, in the proportion of each.
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39
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Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid modification in six strains of mycobacteria was investigated. The presence of 5-methylcytosine in the virulent strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and its absence in the avirulent strain M. tuberculosis H37Ra and other saprophytic, fast-growing mycobacteria appear to be the salient features. However, deoxyribonucleic acid from M. smegmatis SN2 lysogenized with the temperature phage I3 showed the presence of 5-methylcytosine. All of the strains had N6-methyladenine.
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40
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Welkos SL, Holmes RK. Regulation of toxinogenesis in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. I. Mutations in bacteriophage beta that alter the effects of iron on toxin production. J Virol 1981; 37:936-45. [PMID: 6785449 PMCID: PMC171091 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.37.3.936-945.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Diphtherial toxin is produced in maximal yields by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C7(beta tox+) only when iron is present in growth-limiting amounts. Toxin production is markedly decreased under high-iron conditions. We studied the role of the bacteriophage beta genome in this apparent regulation of toxin production by iron. Using a passive immune hemolysis assay to detect toxin antigen production in individual plaques, we identified rare phage mutants that were toxinogenic in high-iron medium. Lysogenic derivatives of C. diphtheriae C7 harboring such phage mutants were constructed. The lysogens were compared with wild-type strain C7(beta) for their ability to produce toxin in deferrated liquid medium containing varying amounts of added iron. Quantitative tests for extracellular toxin were performed by competitive-binding radioimmunoassays. We identified phenotypically distinct mutant strains that produced slightly, moderately, or greatly increased yields of toxin antigen under high-iron conditions. The toxin produced by the mutant lysogens was biologically active and immunochemically indistinguishable from wild-type toxin. Complementation experiments demonstrated that the phage mutation designated tox-201 had a cis-dominant effect on the expression of the toxin structural gene of phage beta. The characteristics of the tox-201 mutation suggest that it defines a regulatory locus of phage beta that is involved in control of toxinogenesis by iron in C. diphtheriae.
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41
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Barksdale L, Linder R, Sulea IT, Pollice M. Phospholipase D activity of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Corynebacterium ovis) and Corynebacterium ulcerans, a distinctive marker within the genus Corynebacterium. J Clin Microbiol 1981; 13:335-43. [PMID: 7204550 PMCID: PMC273787 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.13.2.335-343.1981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A search has been made for corynebacterial phospholipase D, "ovis toxin," a sphingomyelinase (phosphatidylcholine phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.4), among a wide variety of corynebacteria. Phospholipase D activity has been found in strains exhibiting the biochemical properties characteristic of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis or of Corynebacterium ulcerans and in no other species of Corynebacterium. Methods for the assay of phospholipase D as a sphingomyelinase and methods for screening for phospholipase D in the presence of Corynebacterium equi on washed sheep blood agar are discussed.
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42
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Stackebrandt E, Lewis B, Woese C. The Phylogenetic Structure of the Coryneform Group of Bacteria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1980. [DOI: 10.1016/s0172-5564(80)80036-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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43
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Abstract
The binding of diphtheria toxin to 125I-labeled cell surface glycoproteins from hamster thymocytes was shown to be inhibited by nucleotides. The relative effectiveness of the nucleotides (at 5 mM) was found to be thymidine triphosphate greater than adenosine triphosphate greater than guanosine triphosphate greater than uridine triphosphate greater than cytidine triphosphate. When adenine-containing compounds were used, the relative effectiveness was determined to be adenosine tetraphosphate greater than adenosine triphosphate greater than adenosine diphosphate greater than adenosine monophosphate. In addition, tetrapolyphosphate, tripolyphosphate, inositol hexaphosphate (phytic acid), and the highly phosphorylated proteins casein and phosvitin were also shown to be potent inhibitors of the binding of diphtheria toxin to 125I-labeled cell surface glycoproteins. Diphtheria toxin was shown to bind directly to 125I-casein; this binding was also inhibited by the highly phosphorylated compounds and was decreased by pretreatment of the 125I-casein with alkaline phosphatase. These results suggest that diphtheria toxin binds to regions of high phosphate density and raise the possibility that the site on the cell surface glycoproteins to which diphtheria toxin binds might be polyanionic in nature.
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44
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Laub R, Delville J, Cocito C. Immunological relatedness of ribosomes from mycobacteria, nocardiae and corynebacteria, and microorganisms in leprosy lesions. Infect Immun 1978; 22:540-7. [PMID: 730371 PMCID: PMC422189 DOI: 10.1128/iai.22.2.540-547.1978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Serological relatedness of ribosomes from microorganisms of the Mycobacterium, Nocardia, and Corynebacterium genera has been analyzed by the microplate immunodiffusion technique. Mycobacterium and Nocardia proved homogeneous and closely related taxa, whereas Corynebacterium was found to be a heterogeneous phylum connected by remote links to the others. The taxonomic position of "diphtheroid microorganisms" (non-acid-fast, gram-positive bacteria morphologically similar to corynebactria), which were found together with Mycobacterium leprae in human leprosy lesions, was also investigated. Ribosomes of diphtheroid bacteria strongly cross-reacted with antisera against several mycobacteria and nocardiae but not against corynebacteria. Moreover, ribosomes from independently isolated diphtheroid strains proved serologically related and yielded strong cross-reactions with antisera against M. leprae as well as with sera from leprosy patients. Hence, diphtheroid microorganisms represent a homogeneous group immunologically related to mycobacteria in general and more specifically to M. leprae.
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45
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Grange JM. Host-phage relationships in the genus Mycobacterium and their clinical significance. TUBERCLE 1978; 59:203-25. [PMID: 100919 DOI: 10.1016/0041-3879(78)90029-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progress made during the last 15 years in the studies on the relationships between mycobacteria and their bacteriophages is reviewed. The basic biology of the phages and the applications of studies on adaptation and host range are discussed in relation to the development of phage typing systems for epidemiological purposes. The nature of lysogeny, its natural occurrence, its experimental establishment, the effect of the lysogenic state on the host bacterium and the evidence that lysogenic mycobacteria are involved in human disease, especially sarcoidosis, is reviewed.
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46
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Julák J, Mára M, Patočka F, Potužníková B, Zadražil S. Contribution to the taxonomy of haemolytic corynebacteria. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 1978; 23:229-35. [PMID: 27518189 DOI: 10.1007/bf02876584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/1977] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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47
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Reddy CA, Kao M. Value of acid metabolic products in identification of certain corynebacteria. J Clin Microbiol 1978; 7:428-33. [PMID: 96126 PMCID: PMC275008 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.7.5.428-433.1978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid metabolic products of 23 strains of human and animal pathogenic corynebacteria, representing eight different species, were determined by gas chromatography. The results showed that the species examined were metabolically heterogeneous and could be presumptively identified based on the acid products produced. Corynebacterium equi did not produce any acids; C. renale produced lactate; and C. pyogenes produced major amounts of lactate, variable amounts of acetate, and minor amounts of succinate and pyruvate. C. kutscheri produced propionate and lactate as major products and pyruvate and oxalacetate as minor products. C. diphtheriae and C. pseudotuberculosis produced major amounts of propionate, acetate, and formate. In addition, C. pseudotuberculosis produced major amounts of pyruvate and minor amounts of succinate, lactate, and oxalacetate, whereas C. diphtheriae strains produced minor but variable amounts of lactate, succinate, fumarate, pyruvate, and oxalacetate. C. bovis produced aicd products similar to those of C. pyogenes but was readily distinguishable from the latter by the lack of hemolysis on blood agar, colony morphology, catalase reaction, and biochemicals. C. suis characteristically produced major amounts of ethanol, acetate, and formate and minor amounts of lactate and succinate but no propionate.
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Stackebrandt E, Fiedler F, Kandler O. [Peptidoglycan type and cell wall polysaccharide composition of Cellulomonas cartalyticum and some coryneform organisms (author's transl)]. Arch Microbiol 1978; 117:115-8. [PMID: 98123 DOI: 10.1007/bf00689360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cellulomonas cartalyticum was found to contain a peptidoglycan type different from that of the other species of Cellulomonas. The diamino acid is lysin instead of ornithine and the interpeptide bridge consists of D-Asp-D-Ser. The same peptidoglycan type occurs in Corynebacterium manihot, Brevibacterium liticum and Arthrobacter luteus. These non cellulolytic organisms are most likely not closely related with Cellulomonas cartalyticum, as indicated by the very different G +C content of their DNA, although they formed a narrow cluster including C. cartalyticum when numeric taxonomical methods were applied.
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Johnson RM, Madden JM, Swafford JR. Taxonomy of Antarctic bacteria from soils and air primarily of the McMurdo station and Victoria Land dry valleys region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1978. [DOI: 10.1029/ar030p0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
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Kanei C, Uchida T, Yoneda M. Isolation from corynebacterium diphtheriae C7(beta) of bacterial mutants that produce toxin in medium with excess iron. Infect Immun 1977; 18:203-9. [PMID: 409685 PMCID: PMC421214 DOI: 10.1128/iai.18.1.203-209.1977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Five mutants that produce toxin in medium with excess iron were isolated from strain C7(beta). The iron content of bacteria grown on this medium was considerably higher than that of C7(beta) cells grown in medium containing the minimum amount of iron needed to inhibit toxin production. When the nonlysogenic, nontoxinogenic strain C7(-) was lysogenized with phages from each of the mutants, toxin production by all of the resulting lysogens, like that by parent strain C7(beta), ceased upon iron addition. When the mutants were superinfected with beta45 phage, both toxin and CRM45 were produced in medium with excess iron. One of the mutant strains lost its prophage as a result of treatment with ultraviolet light. When the cured strain was lysogenized with phage carrying a mutation in the tox structural gene, the lysogen produced the mutant protein at the maximum rate in medium with excess iron. These findings show that the mutant strains are not phage mutants, but are bacterial host mutants, and that a host factor(s) is involved in the inhibition of toxin production by iron.
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