1
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Alonso‐Fernandes E, Fernández‐Llamosas H, Cano I, Serrano‐Pelejero C, Castro L, Díaz E, Carmona M. Enhancing tellurite and selenite bioconversions by overexpressing a methyltransferase from
Aromatoleum
sp. CIB. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 16:915-930. [PMID: 36366868 PMCID: PMC10128142 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollution by metalloids, e.g., tellurite and selenite, is of serious environmental concern and, therefore, there is an increasing interest in searching for ecologically friendly solutions for their elimination. Some microorganisms are able to reduce toxic tellurite/selenite into less toxic elemental tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se). Here, we describe the use of the environmentally relevant β-proteobacterium Aromatoleum sp. CIB as a platform for tellurite elimination. Aromatoleum sp. CIB was shown to tolerate 0.2 and 0.5 mM tellurite at aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the CIB strain was able to reduce tellurite into elemental Te producing rod-shaped Te nanoparticles (TeNPs) of around 200 nm length. A search in the genome of Aromatoleum sp. CIB revealed the presence of a gene, AzCIB_0135, which encodes a new methyltransferase that methylates tellurite and also selenite. AzCIB_0135 orthologs are widely distributed in bacterial genomes. The overexpression of the AzCIB_0135 gene both in Escherichia coli and Aromatoleum sp. CIB speeds up tellurite and selenite removal, and it enhances the production of rod-shaped TeNPs and spherical Se nanoparticles (SeNPs), respectively. Thus, the overexpression of a methylase becomes a new genetic strategy to optimize bacterial catalysts for tellurite/selenite bioremediation and for the programmed biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles of biotechnological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alonso‐Fernandes
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Helga Fernández‐Llamosas
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Irene Cano
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Cristina Serrano‐Pelejero
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Laura Castro
- Department of Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Facultad de Químicas Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - Eduardo Díaz
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Manuel Carmona
- Microbial and Plant Biotechnology Department Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas‐CSIC Madrid Spain
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2
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Wu X, Zhan F, Zhang J, Chen S, Yang B. Identification of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying terW gene by MacConkey-potassium tellurite medium in the general population. Front Public Health 2022; 10:946370. [PMID: 36091562 PMCID: PMC9448990 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.946370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To establish a MacConkey-potassium tellurium medium-based method for selectively culturing terW gene-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), to evaluate its performance and apply it to identifying particular clonal hypervirulent KP (hvKP) strains in epidemiological surveillance. Methods The virulence genes, rmpA, iutA, and terW, were detected by PCR. The minimum inhibitory concentration of potassium tellurite of hvKP (rmpA +/ iutA +) and classical KP (rmpA - and iutA -) was determined using the agar dilution method. The MacConkey medium containing 4 μg/ml potassium tellurite was prepared and the performance in detecting terW + KP was evaluated, including an agreement with PCR and positive/negative predictive value. Fecal samples from healthy volunteers in Fujian were collected and cultured in the medium, then positive strains were identified using MALDI-TOF MS, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by Kirby-Bauer assays, and virulence genes and capsular serotype genes were tested by PCR. Results In KP isolated from clinical specimens (N = 198), the positive rate of terW was 37.9%, and the detection rate of terW in hvKP was significantly higher than that in classical KP (70.6% vs 13.3%). The potassium tellurite resistance levels of terW + (N = 75) and terW - (N = 55) KP were 8-128 μg/ml and <1-8 μg/ml, respectively, with significant differences. KP was selectively cultured on a MacConkey medium with 4 μg/ml potassium tellurite, and its agreement with PCR was good (Kappa=0.936), and the positive and negative percent agreement and positive and negative predictive values were 100% (75/75), 92.7% (51/55), 94.9% (75/79), and 100% (51/51), respectively. The prevalence of tellurite-resistant KP was 16.7% (86/516) in fecal samples from healthy volunteers, among which the positive rate of terW was 100% (86/86). The antimicrobial resistance characteristics of terW + KP showed no difference between healthy volunteers and inpatients. The most common capsular serotypes associated with high virulence were K1, K2, and K57. Conclusions The MacConkey medium containing 4 μg/ml potassium tellurite could easily select and culture terW + KP in fecal samples with high sensitivity and specificity, which is a practical method for the epidemic surveillance of hvKP in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fuguo Zhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shanjian Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Bin Yang
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3
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Peng W, Wang Y, Fu Y, Deng Z, Lin S, Liang R. Characterization of the Tellurite-Resistance Properties and Identification of the Core Function Genes for Tellurite Resistance in Pseudomonas citronellolis SJTE-3. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10010095. [PMID: 35056544 PMCID: PMC8779313 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tellurite is highly toxic to bacteria and commonly used in the clinical screening for pathogens; it is speculated that there is a potential relationship between tellurite resistance and bacterial pathogenicity. Until now, the core function genes of tellurite resistance and their characteristics are still obscure. Pseudomonas citronellolis SJTE-3 was found able to resist high concentrations of tellurite (250 μg/mL) and formed vacuole-like tellurium nanostructures. The terZABCDE gene cluster located in the large plasmid pRBL16 endowed strain SJTE-3 with the tellurite resistance of high levels. Although the terC and terD genes were identified as the core function genes for tellurite reduction and resistance, the inhibition of cell growth was observed when they were used solely. Interestingly, co-expression of the terA gene or terZ gene could relieve the burden caused by the expression of the terCD genes and recover normal cell growth. TerC and TerD proteins commonly shared the conserved sequences and are widely distributed in many pathogenic bacteria, highly associated with the pathogenicity factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yali Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shuangjun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Rubing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (W.P.); (Y.W.); (Y.F.); (Z.D.); (S.L.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-21-34204192
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4
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Nguyen TTH, Kikuchi T, Tokunaga T, Iyoda S, Iguchi A. Diversity of the Tellurite Resistance Gene Operon in Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:681175. [PMID: 34122392 PMCID: PMC8193136 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.681175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tellurite is highly toxic to most bacteria owing to its strong oxidative ability. However, some bacteria demonstrate tellurite resistance. In particular, some Escherichia coli strains, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, are known to be resistant to tellurite. This resistance is involved in ter operon, which is usually located on a prophage-like element of the chromosome. The characteristics of the ter operon have been investigated mainly by genome analysis of pathogenic E. coli; however, the distribution and structural characteristics of the ter operon in other E. coli are almost unknown. To clarify these points, we examined 106 E. coli strains carrying the ter operon from various animals. The draft genomes of 34 representative strains revealed that ter operons were clearly classified into four subtypes, ter-type 1–4, at the nucleotide sequence level. Complete genomic sequences revealed that operons belonging to three ter-types (1, 3, and 4) were located on the prophage-like elements on the chromosome, whereas the ter-type 2 operon was located on the IncHI2 plasmid. The positions of the tRNASer, tRNAMet, and tRNAPhe indicated the insertion sites of elements carrying the ter operons. Using the PCR method developed in this study, 106 strains were classified as type 1 (n = 66), 2 (n = 13), 3 (n = 8), and 4 (n = 17), and two strains carried both types 1 and 2. Furthermore, significant differences in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tellurite were observed between strains carrying ter-type 4 and the others (p < 0.05). The ter-type was also closely related to the isolation source, with types 2 and 4 associated with chickens and deer, respectively. This study provided new insights related not only to genetic characteristics of the ter operons, but also to phenotypic and ecological characteristics that may be related to the diversity of the operon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Thu Huong Nguyen
- Department of Environment and Resource Sciences, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Tokunaga
- Department of Environment and Resource Sciences, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Sunao Iyoda
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iguchi
- Department of Environment and Resource Sciences, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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5
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Valdivia-González MA, Díaz-Vásquez WA, Ruiz-León D, Becerra AA, Aguayo DR, Pérez-Donoso JM, Vásquez CC. A comparative analysis of tellurite detoxification by members of the genus Shewanella. Arch Microbiol 2017; 200:267-273. [PMID: 29022087 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1438-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The increasing industrial utilization of tellurium has resulted in an important environmental pollution with the soluble, extremely toxic oxyanion tellurite. In this context, the use of microorganisms for detoxifying tellurite or tellurium biorecovery has gained great interest. The ability of different Shewanella strains to reduce tellurite to elemental tellurium was assessed; the results showed that the reduction process is dependent on electron transport and the ∆pH gradient. While S. baltica OS155 showed the highest tellurite resistance, S. putrefaciens was the most efficient in reducing tellurite. Moreover, pH-dependent tellurite transformation was associated with tellurium precipitation as tellurium dioxide. In summary, this work highlights the high tellurite reduction/detoxification ability exhibited by a number of Shewanella species, which could represent the starting point to develop friendly methods for the recovery of elemental tellurium (or tellurium dioxide).
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Valdivia-González
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #3363. Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - W A Díaz-Vásquez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Chile
| | - D Ruiz-León
- Departamento de Química de los Materiales, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A A Becerra
- Facultad de Salud, Deporte y Recreación, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - D R Aguayo
- Molecular Biophysics and Bionformatics Group, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - J M Pérez-Donoso
- BioNanotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - C C Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #3363. Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.
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6
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Joo YC, Hyeon JE, Han SO. Metabolic Design of Corynebacterium glutamicum for Production of l-Cysteine with Consideration of Sulfur-Supplemented Animal Feed. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:4698-4707. [PMID: 28560868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b01061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
l-Cysteine is a valuable sulfur-containing amino acid widely used as a nutrition supplement in industrial food production, agriculture, and animal feed. However, this amino acid is mostly produced by acid hydrolysis and extraction from human or animal hairs. In this study, we constructed recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum strains that overexpress combinatorial genes for l-cysteine production. The aims of this work were to investigate the effect of the combined overexpression of serine acetyltransferase (CysE), O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (CysK), and the transcriptional regulator CysR on l-cysteine production. The CysR-overexpressing strain accumulated approximately 2.7-fold more intracellular sulfide than the control strain (empty pMT-tac vector). Moreover, in the resulting CysEKR recombinant strain, combinatorial overexpression of genes involved in l-cysteine production successfully enhanced its production by approximately 3.0-fold relative to that in the control strain. This study demonstrates a biotechnological model for the production of animal feed supplements such as l-cysteine using metabolically engineered C. glutamicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Chul Joo
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University , Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Hyeon
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University , Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19702, United States
| | - Sung Ok Han
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University , Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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7
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Morales EH, Pinto CA, Luraschi R, Muñoz-Villagrán CM, Cornejo FA, Simpkins SW, Nelson J, Arenas FA, Piotrowski JS, Myers CL, Mori H, Vásquez CC. Accumulation of heme biosynthetic intermediates contributes to the antibacterial action of the metalloid tellurite. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15320. [PMID: 28492282 PMCID: PMC5437285 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The metalloid tellurite is highly toxic to microorganisms. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed, including thiol depletion and generation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, but none of them can fully explain its toxicity. Here we use a combination of directed evolution and chemical and biochemical approaches to demonstrate that tellurite inhibits heme biosynthesis, leading to the accumulation of intermediates of this pathway and hydroxyl radical. Unexpectedly, the development of tellurite resistance is accompanied by increased susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, we show that the heme precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is used as an antimicrobial agent in photodynamic therapy, potentiates tellurite toxicity. Our results define a mechanism of tellurite toxicity and warrant further research on the potential use of the combination of tellurite and 5-aminolevulinic acid in antimicrobial therapy. The mechanisms of action of the antibacterial metalloid tellurite are unclear. Here, the authors show that tellurite induces an accumulation of hydroxyl radical and intermediates of heme biosynthesis in E. coli, and that the heme precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid potentiates tellurite toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo H Morales
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | - Camilo A Pinto
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | - Roberto Luraschi
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | | | - Fabián A Cornejo
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | - Scott W Simpkins
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Justin Nelson
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Felipe A Arenas
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | | | - Chad L Myers
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.,University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Hirotada Mori
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma 630-0101, Japan
| | - Claudio C Vásquez
- Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
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8
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Presentato A, Piacenza E, Anikovskiy M, Cappelletti M, Zannoni D, Turner RJ. Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1 as cell factory for the production of intracellular tellurium nanorods under aerobic conditions. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:204. [PMID: 27978836 PMCID: PMC5157098 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tellurite (TeO32−) is recognized as a toxic oxyanion to living organisms. However, mainly anaerobic or facultative-anaerobic microorganisms are able to tolerate and convert TeO32− into the less toxic and available form of elemental Tellurium (Te0), producing Te-deposits or Te-nanostructures. The use of TeO32−-reducing bacteria can lead to the decontamination of polluted environments and the development of “green-synthesis” methods for the production of nanomaterials. In this study, the tolerance and the consumption of TeO32− have been investigated, along with the production and characterization of Te-nanorods by Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1 grown under aerobic conditions. Results Aerobically grown BCP1 cells showed high tolerance towards TeO32− with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2800 μg/mL (11.2 mM). TeO32− consumption has been evaluated exposing the BCP1 strain to either 100 or 500 μg/mL of K2TeO3 (unconditioned growth) or after re-inoculation in fresh medium with new addition of K2TeO3 (conditioned growth). A complete consumption of TeO32− at 100 μg/mL was observed under both growth conditions, although conditioned cells showed higher consumption rate. Unconditioned and conditioned BCP1 cells partially consumed TeO32− at 500 μg/mL. However, a greater TeO32− consumption was observed with conditioned cells. The production of intracellular, not aggregated and rod-shaped Te-nanostructures (TeNRs) was observed as a consequence of TeO32− reduction. Extracted TeNRs appear to be embedded in an organic surrounding material, as suggested by the chemical–physical characterization. Moreover, we observed longer TeNRs depending on either the concentration of precursor (100 or 500 μg/mL of K2TeO3) or the growth conditions (unconditioned or conditioned grown cells). Conclusions Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1 is able to tolerate high concentrations of TeO32− during its growth under aerobic conditions. Moreover, compared to unconditioned BCP1 cells, TeO32−conditioned cells showed a higher oxyanion consumption rate (for 100 μg/mL of K2TeO3) or to consume greater amount of TeO32− (for 500 μg/mL of K2TeO3). TeO32− consumption by BCP1 cells led to the production of intracellular and not aggregated TeNRs embedded in an organic surrounding material. The high resistance of BCP1 to TeO32− along with its ability to produce Te-nanostructures supports the application of this microorganism as a possible eco-friendly nanofactory. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0602-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Presentato
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Elena Piacenza
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Max Anikovskiy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Martina Cappelletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Unit of General and Applied Microbiology, Via Irnerio 42, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Davide Zannoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Unit of General and Applied Microbiology, Via Irnerio 42, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Raymond J Turner
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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9
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Vrionis HA, Wang S, Haslam B, Turner RJ. Selenite Protection of Tellurite Toxicity Toward Escherichia coli. Front Mol Biosci 2015; 2:69. [PMID: 26732755 PMCID: PMC4683179 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2015.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work the influence of selenite on metal resistance in Escherichia coli was examined. Both synergistic and antagonistic resistance and toxicities were found upon co exposure with selenite. In wild type cells co-exposure to selenite had little effect on arsenic resistance, decreased resistance to cadmium and mercury but led to a dramatically increased resistance to tellurite of 32-fold. Due to the potential importance of thiol chemistry in metal biochemistry, deletion strains in γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (key step in glutathione biosynthesis, encoded by gshA), thioredoxin (trxA), glutaredoxin (grxA), glutathione oxidoreductase (gor), and the periplasmic glutathione transporter (cydD) were also evaluated for resistance to various metals in the presence of selenite. The protective effect of selenite on tellurite toxicity was seen in several of the mutants and was pronounced in the gshA mutant were resistance to tellurite was increased up to 1000-fold relative to growth in the absence of selenite. Thiol oxidation studies revealed a faster rate of loss of reduced thiol content in the cell with selenite than with tellurite, indicating differential thiol reactivity. Selenite addition resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production equivalent to levels associated with H2O2 addition. Tellurite addition resulted in considerably lower ROS generation while vanadate and chromate treatment did not increase ROS production above that of background. This work shows increased resistance toward most oxyanions in mutants of thiol redox suggesting that metalloid reaction with thiol components such as glutathione actually enhances toxicity of some metalloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A Vrionis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bronwyn Haslam
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Raymond J Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Tellurite-mediated damage to the Escherichia coli NDH-dehydrogenases and terminal oxidases in aerobic conditions. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 566:67-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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11
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Global transcriptomic analysis uncovers a switch to anaerobic metabolism in tellurite-exposed Escherichia coli. Res Microbiol 2014; 165:566-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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12
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The cysteine desulfurase IscS of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is involved in iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and oxidative stress defence. Biochem J 2014; 459:467-78. [PMID: 24548275 DOI: 10.1042/bj20130732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The complex multiprotein systems for the assembly of protein-bound iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are well defined in Gram-negative model organisms. However, little is known about Fe-S cluster biogenesis in other bacterial species. The ISC (iron-sulfur cluster) operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lacks several genes known to be essential for the function of this system in other organisms. However, the cysteine desulfurase IscSMtb (Rv number Rv3025c; Mtb denotes M. tuberculosis) is conserved in this important pathogen. The present study demonstrates that deleting iscSMtb renders the cells microaerophilic and hypersensitive to oxidative stress. Moreover, the ∆iscSMtb mutant shows impaired Fe-S cluster-dependent enzyme activity, clearly indicating that IscSMtb is associated with Fe-S cluster assembly. An extensive interaction network of IscSMtb with Fe-S proteins was identified, suggesting a novel mechanism of sulfur transfer by direct interaction with apoproteins. Interestingly, the highly homologous IscS of Escherichia coli failed to complement the ∆iscSMtb mutant and showed a less diverse protein-interaction profile. To identify a structural basis for these observations we determined the crystal structure of IscSMtb, which mirrors adaptations made in response to an ISC operon devoid of IscU-like Fe-S cluster scaffold proteins. We conclude that in M. tuberculosis IscS has been redesigned during evolution to compensate for the deletion of large parts of the ISC operon.
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Tellurite reduction by Escherichia coli NDH-II dehydrogenase results in superoxide production in membranes of toxicant-exposed cells. Biometals 2014; 27:237-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-013-9701-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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α -Ketoglutarate accumulation is not dependent on isocitrate dehydrogenase activity during tellurite detoxification in Escherichia coli. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:784190. [PMID: 24371831 PMCID: PMC3859025 DOI: 10.1155/2013/784190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Tellurite is toxic to most microorganisms because of its ability to generate oxidative stress. However, the way in which tellurite interferes with cellular processes is not fully understood to date. In this line, it was previously shown that tellurite-exposed cells displayed reduced activity of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (α-KGDH), which resulted in α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) accumulation. In this work, we assessed if α-KG accumulation in tellurite-exposed E. coli could also result from increased isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities, both enzymes involved in α-KG synthesis. Unexpectedly both activities were found to decrease in the presence of the toxicant, an observation that seems to result from the decreased transcription of icdA and gdhA genes (encoding ICDH and GDH, resp.). Accordingly, isocitrate levels were found to increase in tellurite-exposed E. coli. In the presence of the toxicant, cells lacking icdA or gdhA exhibited decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and higher tellurite sensitivity as compared to the wild type strain. Finally, a novel branch activity of ICDH as tellurite reductase is presented.
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Prigent-Combaret C, Sanguin H, Champier L, Bertrand C, Monnez C, Colinon C, Blaha D, Ghigo JM, Cournoyer B. The bacterial thiopurine methyltransferase tellurite resistance process is highly dependent upon aggregation properties and oxidative stress response. Environ Microbiol 2012; 14:2645-60. [PMID: 22708879 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2012.02802.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial thiopurine methyltransferases (bTPMTs) can favour resistance towards toxic tellurite oxyanions through a pathway leading to the emission of a garlic-like smell. Gene expression profiling completed by genetic, physiological and electron microscopy analyses was performed to identify key bacterial activities contributing to this resistance process. Escherichia coli strain MG1655 expressing the bTPMT was used as a cell model in these experiments. This strain produced a garlic-like smell which was found to be due to dimethyl telluride, and cell aggregates in culture media supplemented with tellurite. Properties involved in aggregation were correlated with cell attachment to polystyrene, which increased with tellurite concentrations. Gene expression profiling supported a role of adhesins in the resistance process with 14% of the tellurite-regulated genes involved in cell envelope, flagella and fimbriae biogenesis. Other tellurite-regulated genes were, at 27%, involved in energy, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism including the synthesis of antioxidant proteins, and at 12% in the synthesis of transcriptional regulators and signal transduction systems. Escherichia coli mutants impaired in tellurite-regulated genes showed ubiquinone and adhesins synthesis, oxidative stress response, and efflux to be essential in the bTPMT resistance process. High tellurite resistance required a synergistic expression of these functions and an efficient tellurium volatilization by the bTPMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Prigent-Combaret
- Research group on «Bacterial Opportunistic Pathogens and Environment», Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
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Reinoso CA, Auger C, Appanna VD, Vásquez CC. Tellurite-exposed Escherichia coli exhibits increased intracellular α-ketoglutarate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 421:721-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.04.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Arenas FA, Covarrubias PC, Sandoval JM, Pérez-Donoso JM, Imlay JA, Vásquez CC. The Escherichia coli BtuE protein functions as a resistance determinant against reactive oxygen species. PLoS One 2011; 6:e15979. [PMID: 21264338 PMCID: PMC3018469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This work shows that the recently described Escherichia coli BtuE peroxidase protects the bacterium against oxidative stress that is generated by tellurite and by other reactive oxygen species elicitors (ROS). Cells lacking btuE (ΔbtuE) displayed higher sensitivity to K(2)TeO(3) and other oxidative stress-generating agents than did the isogenic, parental, wild-type strain. They also exhibited increased levels of cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species, oxidized proteins, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and lipoperoxides. E. coli ΔbtuE that was exposed to tellurite or H(2)O(2) did not show growth changes relative to wild type cells either in aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Nevertheless, the elimination of btuE from cells deficient in catalases/peroxidases (Hpx(-)) resulted in impaired growth and resistance to these toxicants only in aerobic conditions, suggesting that BtuE is involved in the defense against oxidative damage. Genetic complementation of E. coli ΔbtuE restored toxicant resistance to levels exhibited by the wild type strain. As expected, btuE overexpression resulted in decreased amounts of oxidative damage products as well as in lower transcriptional levels of the oxidative stress-induced genes ibpA, soxS and katG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A. Arenas
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulo C. Covarrubias
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan M. Sandoval
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José M. Pérez-Donoso
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - James A. Imlay
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Claudio C. Vásquez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Whitby PW, Seale TW, Morton DJ, VanWagoner TM, Stull TL. Characterization of the Haemophilus influenzae tehB gene and its role in virulence. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2010; 156:1188-1200. [PMID: 20075041 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.036400-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Haemophilus influenzae ORF designated HI1275 in the Rd KW20 genomic sequence encodes a putative S-adenosyl methyltransferase with significant similarity to tellurite-resistance determinants (tehB) in other species. While the H. influenzae tehB can complement an Escherichia coli tehB mutation, thus restoring tellurite resistance, its role in H. influenzae is unknown. In a previous study defining the iron and haem modulon of H. influenzae, we showed that transcription of this gene in H. influenzae Rd KW20 increases during growth in iron- and haem-restricted media. Since iron and haem uptake genes, and other known virulence factors, constitute the majority of the iron- and haem-regulated gene set, we postulated that tehB may play a role in nutrient acquisition and/or the virulence of H. influenzae. A tehB mutant was constructed in the H. influenzae type b strain 10810 and was evaluated for growth defects in various supplemented media, as well as for its ability to cause infection in rat models of infection. Deletion of tehB leads to an increase in sensitivity both to tellurite and to the oxidizing agents cumene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide. The tehB mutant additionally showed a significantly reduced ability to utilize free haem as well as several haem-containing moieties including haem-human serum albumin, haemoglobin and haemoglobin-haptoglobin. Examination of the regulation kinetics indicated that transcription of tehB was independent of both tellurite exposure and oxidative stress. Paired comparisons of the tehB mutant and the wild-type H. influenzae strain 10810 showed that tehB is required for wild-type levels of infection in rat models of H. influenzae invasive disease. To our knowledge this is the first report of a role for tehB in virulence in any bacterial species. These data demonstrate that H. influenzae tehB plays a role in both resistance to oxidative damage and haem uptake/utilization, protects H. influenzae from tellurite exposure, and is important for virulence of this organism in an animal model of invasive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Whitby
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Thomas W Seale
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Daniel J Morton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Timothy M VanWagoner
- Department of Biology, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City, OK 73136, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Terrence L Stull
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Chasteen TG, Fuentes DE, Tantaleán JC, Vásquez CC. Tellurite: history, oxidative stress, and molecular mechanisms of resistance. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2009; 33:820-32. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2009.00177.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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20
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Daniel-Hoffmann M, Albeck M, Sredni B, Nitzan Y. A potential antimicrobial treatment against ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae using the tellurium compound AS101. Arch Microbiol 2009; 191:631-8. [PMID: 19529918 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-009-0490-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2009] [Revised: 05/21/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Due to the extensive spread of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, the non-toxic immunomodulator, ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-o, o') tellurate (AS101), was introduced for the first time in this study. Eleven strains of K. pneumoniae were tested: five were extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains and six were non-ESBL-producing strains. The MIC and MBC of ten strains were 9 microg/ml AS101 and 18 microg/ml for one strain. AS101 treatment inhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner on protein-rich media. No inhibition by AS101 was observed on poorer media. In combination with beta-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) or cysteamine, AS101 inhibited bacterial growth in both types of media. Growth inhibition was also shown following AS101 treatment at both lag and log phases. Our data indicate that AS101 enters the bacterium through its porins, causing bacterial destruction. The mechanism of cell death was characterized using several techniques: (a) scanning electron microscopy showed that bacteria treated with AS101 or in combination with cysteamine exhibited evidence of cell-wall damage; (b) X-ray microanalysis demonstrated damage to Na/K pumps; and (c) transmission electron microscopy demonstrated cell lysis. These phenomena suggest that AS101 has antibacterial potential against K. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Daniel-Hoffmann
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 52900, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Calderón IL, Elías AO, Fuentes EL, Pradenas GA, Castro ME, Arenas FA, Pérez JM, Vásquez CC. Tellurite-mediated disabling of [4Fe-4S] clusters of Escherichia coli dehydratases. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:1840-1846. [PMID: 19383690 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.026260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The tellurium oxyanion tellurite is toxic for most organisms and it seems to alter a number of intracellular targets. In this work the toxic effects of tellurite upon Escherichia coli [4Fe-4S] cluster-containing dehydratases was studied. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive fumarase A (FumA) and aconitase B (AcnB) as well as ROS-resistant fumarase C (FumC) and aconitase A (AcnA) were assayed in cell-free extracts from tellurite-exposed cells in both the presence and absence of oxygen. While over 90 % of FumA and AcnB activities were lost in the presence of oxygen, no enzyme inactivation was observed in anaerobiosis. This result was not dependent upon protein biosynthesis, as determined using translation-arrested cells. Enzyme activity of purified FumA and AcnB was inhibited when exposed to an in vitro superoxide-generating, tellurite-reducing system (ITRS). No inhibitory effect was observed when tellurite was omitted from the ITRS. In vivo and in vitro reconstitution experiments with tellurite-damaged FumA and AcnB suggested that tellurite effects involve [Fe-S] cluster disabling. In fact, after exposing FumA to ITRS, released ferrous ion from the enzyme was demonstrated by spectroscopic analysis using the specific Fe(2+) chelator 2,2'-bipyridyl. Subsequent spectroscopic paramagnetic resonance analysis of FumA exposed to ITRS showed the characteristic signal of an oxidatively inactivated [3Fe-4S](+) cluster. These results suggest that tellurite inactivates enzymes of this kind via a superoxide-dependent disabling of their [4Fe-4S] catalytic clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván L Calderón
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alex O Elías
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eugenia L Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A Pradenas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel E Castro
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe A Arenas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José M Pérez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio C Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Cloning, purification and characterization of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V uroporphyrinogen-III C-methyltransferase: evaluation of its role in resistance to potassium tellurite in Escherichia coli. Res Microbiol 2009; 160:125-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2008.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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23
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Dell'Amico E, Bernasconi S, Cavalca L, Magni C, Prinsi B, Andreoni V. New insights into the biodegradation of thiodiglycol, the hydrolysis product of Yperite (sulfur mustard gas). J Appl Microbiol 2009; 106:1111-21. [PMID: 19191966 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2008.04074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To isolate thiodiglycol (TDG)-degrading bacteria, the mustard gas hydrolysis product, and to characterize the metabolites formed and the enzymes involved in the degradation. METHODS AND RESULTS Two strains, identified as Achromobacter xylosoxydans G5 and Paracoccus denitrificans E4, isolated from a petroleum-contaminated soil, utilized TDG as sole carbon and sulfur source. During the degradation of TDG by strain E4 [(2-hydroxyethyl)thio] acetic acid (HETA), thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA) and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)disulfide (BHEDS) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, while HETA and TDGA were identified for strain G5. Two-dimensional isoelectric focussing-gel electrophoresis (2-D IEF/SDS-PAGE) maps of protein extracts of P. denitrificans E4 grown on TDG showed a spot identified as a methanol dehydrogenase. Increased expression of a putative iscS gene, involved in sulfur assimilation, was observed in TDG-grown cells of A. xylosoxydans G5. CONCLUSIONS TDG degradation by P. denitrificans E4 occurred through two pathways: one involved cleavage of the C-S bond of HETA, yielding BHEDS and the other, oxidation of the alcoholic groups of TDG, yielding TDGA. The cleavage of the C-S bond of TDGA gave mercaptoacetic acid, further oxidized to acetate and sulfate. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Increased knowledge of TDG-degrading bacteria and the possibility of using them in a tailored-two-stage mustard gas destruction process.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dell'Amico
- Department of Food Science and Microbiology, State University of Milan, Italy
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Tremaroli V, Workentine ML, Weljie AM, Vogel HJ, Ceri H, Viti C, Tatti E, Zhang P, Hynes AP, Turner RJ, Zannoni D. Metabolomic investigation of the bacterial response to a metal challenge. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:719-28. [PMID: 19047385 PMCID: PMC2632130 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01771-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Accepted: 11/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 is naturally resistant to the toxic metalloid tellurite, but the mechanisms of resistance are not known. In this study we report the isolation of a KF707 mutant (T5) with hyperresistance to tellurite. In order to characterize the bacterial response and the pathways leading to tolerance, we utilized Phenotype MicroArray technology (Biolog) and a metabolomic technique based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The physiological states of KF707 wild-type and T5 cells exposed to tellurite were also compared in terms of viability and reduced thiol content. Our analyses showed an extensive change in metabolism upon the addition of tellurite to KF707 cultures as well as different responses when the wild-type and T5 strains were compared. Even in the absence of tellurite, T5 cells displayed a "poised" physiological status, primed for tellurite exposure and characterized by altered intracellular levels of glutathione, branched-chain amino acids, and betaine, along with increased resistance to other toxic metals and metabolic inhibitors. We conclude that hyperresistance to tellurite in P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707 is correlated with the induction of the oxidative stress response, resistance to membrane perturbation, and reconfiguration of cellular metabolism.
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25
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Expression of Aeromonas caviae ST pyruvate dehydrogenase complex components mediate tellurite resistance in Escherichia coli. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 380:148-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.01.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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26
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Zannoni D, Borsetti F, Harrison JJ, Turner RJ. The bacterial response to the chalcogen metalloids Se and Te. Adv Microb Physiol 2007; 53:1-72. [PMID: 17707143 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2911(07)53001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microbial metabolism of inorganics has been the subject of interest since the 1970s when it was recognized that bacteria are involved in the transformation of metal compounds in the environment. This area of research is generally referred to as bioinorganic chemistry or microbial biogeochemistry. Here, we overview the way the chalcogen metalloids Se and Te interact with bacteria. As a topic of considerable interest for basic and applied research, bacterial processing of tellurium and selenium oxyanions has been reviewed a few times over the past 15 years. Oddly, this is the first time these compounds have been considered together and their similarities and differences highlighted. Another aspect touched on for the first time by this review is the bacterial response in cell-cell or cell-surface aggregates (biofilms) against the metalloid oxyanions. Finally, in this review we have attempted to rationalize the considerable amount of literature available on bacterial resistance to the toxic metalloids tellurite and selenite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Zannoni
- Department of Biology, Unit of General Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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27
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Cysteine metabolism-related genes and bacterial resistance to potassium tellurite. J Bacteriol 2007; 189:8953-60. [PMID: 17951385 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01252-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tellurite exerts a deleterious effect on a number of small molecules containing sulfur moieties that have a recognized role in cellular oxidative stress. Because cysteine is involved in the biosynthesis of glutathione and other sulfur-containing compounds, we investigated the expression of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V cysteine-related genes cobA, cysK, and iscS and Escherichia coli cysteine regulon genes under conditions that included the addition of K2TeO3 to the culture medium. Results showed that cell tolerance to tellurite correlates with the expression level of the cysteine metabolic genes and that these genes are up-regulated when tellurite is present in the growth medium.
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Borghese R, Marchetti D, Zannoni D. The highly toxic oxyanion tellurite (TeO (3) (2-) ) enters the phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus via an as yet uncharacterized monocarboxylate transport system. Arch Microbiol 2007; 189:93-100. [PMID: 17713758 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-007-0297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2007] [Revised: 06/21/2007] [Accepted: 07/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The facultative phototroph Rhodobacter capsulatus takes up the highly toxic oxyanion tellurite when grown under both photosynthetic and respiratory growth conditions. Previous works on Escherichia coli and R. capsulatus suggested that tellurite uptake occurred through a phosphate transporter. Here we present evidences indicating that tellurite enters R. capsulatus cells via a monocarboxylate transport system. Indeed, intracellular accumulation of tellurite was inhibited by the addition of monocarboxylates such as pyruvate, lactate and acetate, but not by dicarboxylates like malate or succinate. Acetate was the strongest tellurite uptake antagonist and this effect was concentration dependent, being already evident at 1 microM acetate. Conversely, tellurite at 100 microM was able to restrict the acetate entry into the cells. Both tellurite and acetate uptakes were energy dependent processes, since they were abolished by the protonophore FCCP and by the respiratory electron transport inhibitor KCN. Interestingly, cells grown on acetate, lactate or pyruvate showed a high level resistance to tellurite, whereas cells grown on malate or succinate proved to be very sensitive to the oxyanion. Taking these data together, we propose that: (a) tellurite enters R. capsulatus cells via an as yet uncharacterized monocarboxylate(s) transporter, (b) competition between acetate and tellurite results in a much higher level of tolerance against the oxyanion and (c) the toxic action of tellurite at the cytosolic level is significantly restricted by preventing tellurite uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Borghese
- Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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29
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Pérez JM, Calderón IL, Arenas FA, Fuentes DE, Pradenas GA, Fuentes EL, Sandoval JM, Castro ME, Elías AO, Vásquez CC. Bacterial toxicity of potassium tellurite: unveiling an ancient enigma. PLoS One 2007; 2:e211. [PMID: 17299591 PMCID: PMC1784070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochemical, genetic, enzymatic and molecular approaches were used to demonstrate, for the first time, that tellurite (TeO32−) toxicity in E. coli involves superoxide formation. This radical is derived, at least in part, from enzymatic TeO32− reduction. This conclusion is supported by the following observations made in K2TeO3-treated E. coli BW25113: i) induction of the ibpA gene encoding for the small heat shock protein IbpA, which has been associated with resistance to superoxide, ii) increase of cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species (ROS) as determined with ROS-specific probe 2′7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), iii) increase of carbonyl content in cellular proteins, iv) increase in the generation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs), v) inactivation of oxidative stress-sensitive [Fe-S] enzymes such as aconitase, vi) increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, vii) increase of sodA, sodB and soxS mRNA transcription, and viii) generation of superoxide radical during in vitro enzymatic reduction of potassium tellurite.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M. Pérez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iván L. Calderón
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe A. Arenas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Derie E. Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A. Pradenas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eugenia L. Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan M. Sandoval
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel E. Castro
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alex O. Elías
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio C. Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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30
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Calderón IL, Arenas FA, Pérez JM, Fuentes DE, Araya MA, Saavedra CP, Tantaleán JC, Pichuantes SE, Youderian PA, Vásquez CC. Catalases are NAD(P)H-dependent tellurite reductases. PLoS One 2006; 1:e70. [PMID: 17183702 PMCID: PMC1762332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species damage intracellular targets and are implicated in cancer, genetic disease, mutagenesis, and aging. Catalases are among the key enzymatic defenses against one of the most physiologically abundant reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide. The well-studied, heme-dependent catalases accelerate the rate of the dismutation of peroxide to molecular oxygen and water with near kinetic perfection. Many catalases also bind the cofactors NADPH and NADH tenaciously, but, surprisingly, NAD(P)H is not required for their dismutase activity. Although NAD(P)H protects bovine catalase against oxidative damage by its peroxide substrate, the catalytic role of the nicotinamide cofactor in the function of this enzyme has remained a biochemical mystery to date. Anions formed by heavy metal oxides are among the most highly reactive, natural oxidizing agents. Here, we show that a natural isolate of Staphylococcus epidermidis resistant to tellurite detoxifies this anion thanks to a novel activity of its catalase, and that a subset of both bacterial and mammalian catalases carry out the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of soluble tellurite ion (TeO32−) to the less toxic, insoluble metal, tellurium (Te°), in vitro. An Escherichia coli mutant defective in the KatG catalase/peroxidase is sensitive to tellurite, and expression of the S. epidermidis catalase gene in a heterologous E. coli host confers increased resistance to tellurite as well as to hydrogen peroxide in vivo, arguing that S. epidermidis catalase provides a physiological line of defense against both of these strong oxidizing agents. Kinetic studies reveal that bovine catalase reduces tellurite with a low Michaelis-Menten constant, a result suggesting that tellurite is among the natural substrates of this enzyme. The reduction of tellurite by bovine catalase occurs at the expense of producing the highly reactive superoxide radical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván L. Calderón
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Felipe A. Arenas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - José Manuel Pérez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Derie E. Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Manuel A. Araya
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Claudia P. Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Andrés BelloSantiago, Chile
| | - Juan C. Tantaleán
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad San Luis Gonzaga de IcaIca, Perú
| | - Sergio E. Pichuantes
- Blood Testing Division, Chiron CorporationEmeryville, California, United States of America
| | - Philip A. Youderian
- Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, College StationTexas, United States of America
| | - Claudio C. Vásquez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de ChileSantiago, Chile
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Tremaroli V, Fedi S, Zannoni D. Evidence for a tellurite-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species and absence of a tellurite-mediated adaptive response to oxidative stress in cells of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707. Arch Microbiol 2006; 187:127-35. [PMID: 17013634 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-006-0179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2006] [Revised: 08/23/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Tellurite (TeO3(2-)) is the most toxic and soluble oxyanion among tellurium (Te) compounds. The effects of the metalloid anion on the oxidative stress response of the obligate aerobe Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 were investigated. Cells treated with sub-lethal concentrations of TeO3(2-) showed neither adaptation to it nor cross-protection against oxidants such as 1,1'-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride (paraquat, PQ2+), diazenedicarboxylic acid bis-N,N-dimethylamide (diamide), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Notably, TeO3(2-) exerted a synergic effect on the toxicity of these latter oxidants. Tellurite was shown to decrease the cellular content of reduced thiols (RSH) with a consequent increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, since the time course of ROS production by TeO3(2) (t1/2 > 30 min) was much slower than that with PQ2+ and/or diamide (t1/2 <or= 10 min), in the former case the SOD activity was poorly activated. We conclude that in P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707 cells: (1) the TeO3(2-) acts as a pro-oxidant by stimulating ROS production; (2) the release of superoxide oxyanions is directly linked to the mechanism of toxicity; (3) TeO3(2-) is unable to induce an adaptive response to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tremaroli
- Department of Biology, General Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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32
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Swearingen JW, Fuentes DE, Araya MA, Plishker MF, Saavedra CP, Chasteen TG, Vásquez CC. Expression of the ubiE gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V in Escherichia coli K-12 mediates the evolution of selenium compounds into the headspace of selenite- and selenate-amended cultures. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:963-7. [PMID: 16391146 PMCID: PMC1352272 DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.1.963-967.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiE gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V, with its own promoter, was cloned and introduced into Escherichia coli. The cloned gene complemented the ubiE gene deficiency of E. coli AN70. In addition, the expression of this gene in E. coli JM109 resulted in the evolution of volatile selenium compounds when these cells were grown in selenite- or selenate-amended media. These compounds were dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Swearingen
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago, Chile
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33
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Rojas DM, Vásquez CC. Sensitivity to potassium tellurite of Escherichia coli cells deficient in CSD, CsdB and IscS cysteine desulfurases. Res Microbiol 2005; 156:465-71. [PMID: 15862443 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2004.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2004] [Revised: 12/20/2004] [Accepted: 12/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The csdA, csdB and iscS genes encoding for cysteine desulfurase enzymatic activities in Escherichia coli were independently inactivated and potassium tellurite sensitivity, determined for each of the resulting mutant clones, was found to be iscS > csdB > csdA. Structural genes encoding for each of the wild-type cysteine desulfurases were cloned into a vector containing the regulated ara promoter and further introduced into the mutant strains. Desulfurase-deficient cells transformed with homolog or paralog desulfurase genes and grown in arabinose-amended media restored their basal tellurite resistance. While csdB gene complemented the auxotrophy of csdB and iscS mutants for nicotinic acid, the iscS gene only complemented the auxotrophy of iscS cells for thiamine. Introduction of the csdA gene into the desulfurase-deficient strains did not change tellurite resistance or nutritional requirement patterns of the recipient cells. Complementation analysis could not be performed under anaerobic conditions because the three mutants did not show tellurite hypersensitivity. These results indicate that oxidative stress is involved in tellurite toxicity in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Rojas
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Facultad de Ciencias Carrera 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, Colombia
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Pysz MA, Conners SB, Montero CI, Shockley KR, Johnson MR, Ward DE, Kelly RM. Transcriptional analysis of biofilm formation processes in the anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004; 70:6098-112. [PMID: 15466556 PMCID: PMC522082 DOI: 10.1128/aem.70.10.6098-6112.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermotoga maritima, a fermentative, anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium, was found to attach to bioreactor glass walls, nylon mesh, and polycarbonate filters during chemostat cultivation on maltose-based media at 80 degrees C. A whole-genome cDNA microarray was used to examine differential expression patterns between biofilm and planktonic populations. Mixed-model statistical analysis revealed differential expression (twofold or more) of 114 open reading frames in sessile cells (6% of the genome), over a third of which were initially annotated as hypothetical proteins in the T. maritima genome. Among the previously annotated genes in the T. maritima genome, which showed expression changes during biofilm growth, were several that corresponded to biofilm formation genes identified in mesophilic bacteria (i.e., Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Most notably, T. maritima biofilm-bound cells exhibited increased transcription of genes involved in iron and sulfur transport, as well as in biosynthesis of cysteine, thiamine, NAD, and isoprenoid side chains of quinones. These findings were all consistent with the up-regulation of iron-sulfur cluster assembly and repair functions in biofilm cells. Significant up-regulation of several beta-specific glycosidases was also noted in biofilm cells, despite the fact that maltose was the primary carbon source fed to the chemostat. The reasons for increased beta-glycosidase levels are unclear but are likely related to the processing of biofilm-based polysaccharides. In addition to revealing insights into the phenotype of sessile T. maritima communities, the methodology developed here can be extended to study other anaerobic biofilm formation processes as well as to examine aspects of microbial ecology in hydrothermal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marybeth A Pysz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA
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35
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Lohmeier-Vogel EM, Ung S, Turner RJ. In vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of tellurite toxicity in Escherichia coli. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004; 70:7342-7. [PMID: 15574934 PMCID: PMC535159 DOI: 10.1128/aem.70.12.7342-7347.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2004] [Accepted: 08/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we compare the physiological state of Escherichia coli exposed to tellurite or selenite by using the noninvasive technique of phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We studied glucose-fed Escherichia coli HB101 cells containing either a normal pUC8 plasmid with no tellurite resistance determinants present or the pTWT100 plasmid which contains the resistance determinants tehAB. No differences could be observed in intracellular ATP levels, the presence or absence of a transmembrane pH gradient, or the levels of phosphorylated glycolytic intermediates when resistant cells were studied by 31P NMR in the presence or absence of tellurite. In the sensitive strain, we observed that the transmembrane pH gradient was dissipated and intracellular ATP levels were rapidly depleted upon exposure to tellurite. Only the level of phosphorylated glycolytic intermediates remained the same as observed with resistant cells. Upon exposure to selenite, no differences could be observed by 31P NMR between resistant and sensitive strains, suggesting that the routes for selenite and tellurite reduction within the cells differ significantly, since only tellurite is able to collapse the transmembrane pH gradient and lower ATP levels in sensitive cells. The presence of the resistance determinant tehAB, by an as yet unidentified detoxification event, protects the cells from uncoupling by tellurite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke M Lohmeier-Vogel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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36
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Araya MA, Swearingen JW, Plishker MF, Saavedra CP, Chasteen TG, Vásquez CC. Geobacillus stearothermophilus V ubiE gene product is involved in the evolution of dimethyl telluride in Escherichia coli K-12 cultures amended with potassium tellurate but not with potassium tellurite. J Biol Inorg Chem 2004; 9:609-15. [PMID: 15164269 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-004-0554-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2003] [Accepted: 04/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A 3.8-kb fragment of chromosomal DNA of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V cloned in pSP72 (p1VH) confers resistance to potassium tellurite (K(2)TeO(3)) and to potassium tellurate (K(2)TeO(4)) when the encoded genes are expressed in Escherichia coli K-12. The nt sequence of the cloned fragment predicts three ORFs of 780, 399, and 600 bp, whose encoded protein products exhibit about 80% similarity with the SUMT methyltransferase and the BtuR protein of Bacillus megaterium, and with the UbiE methyltransferase of Bacillus anthracis A2012, respectively. In addition, E. coli/p1VH cells evolved dimethyl telluride, which was released into the headspace gas above liquid cultures when amended with K(2)TeO(3) or with K(2)TeO(4). After 48 h of growth in the presence of these compounds, a protein of about 25 kDa was found at a significantly higher level when crude extracts were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence of this protein, obtained by Edman degradation, matched the deduced aa sequence predicted by the G. stearothermophilus V ubiE gene. This gene was amplified by PCR, subcloned in pET21b, and transformed into E. coli JM109(DE3). Interestingly, DMTe evolution occurred when these modified cells were grown in K(2)TeO(4) - but not in K(2)TeO(3) - amended media. These results may be indicative that the two Te oxyanions could be detoxified in the cell by different metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Araya
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Casilla 40, Correo 33, Santiago, Chile
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37
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Lithgow JK, Hayhurst EJ, Cohen G, Aharonowitz Y, Foster SJ. Role of a cysteine synthase in Staphylococcus aureus. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:1579-90. [PMID: 14996787 PMCID: PMC355971 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.6.1579-1590.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-positive human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is often isolated with media containing potassium tellurite, to which it has a higher level of resistance than Escherichia coli. The S. aureus cysM gene was isolated in a screen for genes that would increase the level of tellurite resistance of E. coli DH5alpha. The protein encoded by S. aureus cysM is sequentially and functionally homologous to the O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase B family of cysteine synthase proteins. An S. aureus cysM knockout mutant grows poorly in cysteine-limiting conditions, and analysis of the thiol content in cell extracts showed that the cysM mutant produced significantly less cysteine than wild-type S. aureus SH1000. S. aureus SH1000 cannot use sulfate, sulfite, or sulfonates as the source of sulfur in cysteine biosynthesis, which is explained by the absence of genes required for the uptake and reduction of these compounds in the S. aureus genome. S. aureus SH1000, however, can utilize thiosulfate, sulfide, or glutathione as the sole source of sulfur. Mutation of cysM caused increased sensitivity of S. aureus to tellurite, hydrogen peroxide, acid, and diamide and also significantly reduced the ability of S. aureus to recover from starvation in amino acid- or phosphate-limiting conditions, indicating a role for cysteine in the S. aureus stress response and survival mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- James K Lithgow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
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