Quality Control of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles with Total Protein Content Assay, Nanoparticles Tracking Analysis, and Capillary Electrophoresis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from Pectobacterium zantedeschiae culturing media using direct ultracentrifugation (UC), iodixanol cushion ultracentrifugation (ICUC), and iodixanol density gradient ultracentrifugation (IDGUC) techniques. The isolates were characterized with total protein content assay (bicinchoninic acid assay, BCA), nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). A satisfactory correlation (R2 > 0.94) between quantitative results obtained with BCA, NTA and CE was achieved only for isolates obtained with the IDGUC. The correlation between protein content and CE was proved to be related to the isolates’ purity. The NTA was found unable to provide reliable information on EVs quantity in samples isolated with UC and ICUC, due to the co-isolated particulate impurities. Moreover, the work reports polysaccharides, used as culturing media components, as a potential source of bias of quantitation with total protein content assay and NTA. The study demonstrates the advantageous selectivity of CE in quality control of EVs and its ability to differentiate subpopulations of EVs of Pectobacterium.

Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis from Animals and Their Caregivers at the Gdańsk Zoo (Poland) and the Assessment of Zoonotic Transmission

Blastocystis is a highly genetically diverse gut protist commonly found in humans and various animals. The role of animals in human infection is only partly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the host specificity and possibility of zoonotic transmission of this microorganism. Subtypes of Blastocystis isolated from 201 zoo animals and their 35 caregivers were identified by sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. Blastocystis was found in 26.86% of animal and 17.14% of human samples. Both mammalian (ST1-ST3, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, ST14) and non-mammalian subtypes were detected. Of the subtypes found in non-human primates (ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST13), two subtypes (ST1 and ST3) were also detected in humans. The presence of identical ST1 sequences in three monkeys and their caregiver indicates the possibility of direct transmission of Blastocystis between these animals and humans. Detection of ST5 only in wild boars and peccaries, ST8 only in Marsupial, ST10 and ST14 only in Bovidae, and non-mammalian subtypes in reptiles suggests higher host specificity for these subtypes, and indicates that their transmission between animals and humans is unlikely. Additionally, this was probably the first time that ST5 was found in peccaries, ST2 in patas monkeys, and ST8 in red kangaroos.

Isoforms of Acyl-CoA:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase2 Differ Substantially in Their Specificities toward Erucic Acid

In most oilseeds, two evolutionarily unrelated acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) enzymes, DGAT1 and DGAT2, are the main contributors to the acylation of diacylglycerols in the synthesis of triacylglycerol. DGAT1 and DGAT2 are both present in the important crop oilseed rape (Brassica napus), with each type having four isoforms. We studied the activities of DGAT isoforms during seed development in microsomal fractions from two oilseed rape cultivars: edible, low-erucic acid (22:1) MONOLIT and nonedible high-erucic acid MAPLUS. Whereas the specific activities of DGATs were similar with most of the tested acyl-CoA substrates in both cultivars, MAPLUS had 6- to 14-fold higher activity with 22:1-CoA than did MONOLIT. Thus, DGAT isoforms with different acyl-CoA specificities are differentially active in the two cultivars. We characterized the acyl-CoA specificities of all DGAT isoforms in oilseed rape in the microsomal fractions of yeast cells heterologously expressing these enzymes. All four DGAT1 isoforms showed similar and broad acyl-CoA specificities. However, DGAT2 isoforms had much narrower acyl-CoA specificities: two DGAT2 isoforms were highly active with 22:1-CoA, while the ability of the other two isoforms to use this substrate was impaired. These findings elucidate the importance, which a DGAT isoform with suitable acyl-CoA specificity may have, when aiming for high content of a particular fatty acid in plant triacylglycerol reservoirs.

Edible Cyanobacterial Genus Arthrospira: Actual State of the Art in Cultivation Methods, Genetics, and Application in Medicine

The cyanobacterial genus Arthrospira appears very conserved and has been divided into five main genetic clusters on the basis of molecular taxonomy markers. Genetic studies of seven Arthrospira strains, including genome sequencing, have enabled a better understanding of those photosynthetic prokaryotes. Even though genetic manipulations have not yet been performed with success, many genomic and proteomic features such as stress adaptation, nitrogen fixation, or biofuel production have been characterized. Many of above-mentioned studies aimed to optimize the cultivation conditions. Factors like the light intensity and quality, the nitrogen source, or different modes of growth (auto-, hetero-, or mixotrophic) have been studied in detail. The scaling-up of the biomass production using photobioreactors, either closed or open, was also investigated to increase the production of useful compounds. The richness of nutrients contained in the genus Arthrospira can be used for promising applications in the biomedical domain. Ingredients such as the calcium spirulan, immulina, C-phycocyanin, and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) show a strong biological activity. Recently, its use in the fight against cancer cells was documented in many publications. The health-promoting action of "Spirulina" has been demonstrated in the case of cardiovascular diseases and age-related conditions. Some compounds also have potent immunomodulatory properties, promoting the growth of beneficial gut microflora, acting as antimicrobial and antiviral. Products derived from Arthrospira were shown to successfully replace biomaterial scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Supplementation with the cyanobacterium also improves the health of livestock and quality of the products of animal origin. They were also used in cosmetic preparations.

Detection and identification of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in Polish water bodies

The main goal of this study was to determine the distribution of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in 39 selected Polish water bodies. From the water bodies with blooms and also from those in which blooms were not visible 87 samples were investigated. For the first time samples from ponds localized in villages with high agricultural activities were included. Lakes for which microcystin concentrations had been determined before were included as a reference for the research. The detection of cyanobacteria was conducted by microscopic observation as well as by PCR amplification of the rpoC1 gene fragment. Cyanobacteria were present in 75 out of 87 samples. The presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was detected by amplification of the mcyB and mcyE genes, which are involved in the biosynthesis of microcystins. Both genes were detected in 7 out of 9 blooms investigated. In the case of samples collected from water bodies in which blooms were not observed, the mcyB and mcyE genes were detected in 20 out of 36. In order to identify the cyanobacteria occurring in selected reservoirs, 16S plus ITS clone libraries were constructed. The method allowed distinguishing 18 different genotypes. After sequence analysis, cyanobacteria belonging to genera Microcystis, Planktothrix, Anabaena, Pseudanabaena, Synechocystis, Synechococcus and Woronichinia were identified. Results confirmed the usefulness of the rpoC1 and mcy genes for monitoring water bodies and detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Application of molecular markers allowed detecting potentially toxic cyanobacteria before the bloom was visible. This is the first comprehensive study concerning cyanobacteria present in different types of Polish water bodies performed using molecular markers.

Detection and identification of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in Polish water bodies

The main goal of this study was to determine the distribution of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in 39 selected Polish water bodies. From the water bodies with blooms and also from those in which blooms were not visible 87 samples were investigated. For the first time samples from ponds localized in villages with high agricultural activities were included. Lakes for which microcystin concentrations had been determined before were included as a reference for the research. The detection of cyanobacteria was conducted by microscopic observation as well as by PCR amplification of the rpoC1 gene fragment. Cyanobacteria were present in 75 out of 87 samples. The presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was detected by amplification of the mcyB and mcyE genes, which are involved in the biosynthesis of microcystins. Both genes were detected in 7 out of 9 blooms investigated. In the case of samples collected from water bodies in which blooms were not observed, the mcyB and mcyE genes were detected in 20 out of 36. In order to identify the cyanobacteria occurring in selected reservoirs, 16S plus ITS clone libraries were constructed. The method allowed distinguishing 18 different genotypes. After sequence analysis, cyanobacteria belonging to genera Microcystis, Planktothrix, Anabaena, Pseudanabaena, Synechocystis, Synechococcus and Woronichinia were identified. Results confirmed the usefulness of the rpoC1 and mcy genes for monitoring water bodies and detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Application of molecular markers allowed detecting potentially toxic cyanobacteria before the bloom was visible. This is the first comprehensive study concerning cyanobacteria present in different types of Polish water bodies performed using molecular markers.

Allochthonous inputs of riverine picocyanobacteria to coastal waters in the Arctic Ocean

The observed onset of climate change at high northern latitudes has highlighted the need to establish current baseline conditions in the Arctic Ocean, and has raised concern about the potential for the invasion and growth of biota that have warm temperature optima, such as cyanobacteria. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequences as a molecular marker to evaluate the hypothesis that Arctic rivers provide a major inoculum of cyanobacteria into the coastal Arctic Ocean. Surface samples were collected along a transect extending from the Mackenzie River (Northwest Territories, Canada), across its estuary, to 200 km offshore at the edge of the perennial Arctic pack ice (Beaufort Sea). The highest picocyanobacteria concentrations occurred in the river, with concentrations an order of magnitude lower at offshore marine stations. The 16S rRNA gene clone libraries of five surface samples and five strains along this gradient showed that the cyanobacterial sequences were divided into eight operational taxonomic units (OTUs), six OTUs closely related to freshwater and brackish Synechococcus and two OTUs of filamentous cyanobacteria. No typically marine Synechococcus sequences and no Prochlorococcus sequences were recovered. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of an allochthonous origin of picocyanobacteria in the coastal Arctic Ocean, and imply survival but little net growth of picocyanobacteria under the present conditions in northern high-latitude seas.

Identification of a DNA restriction-modification system in Pectobacterium carotovorum strains isolated from Poland

AIMS

Polish isolates of pectinolytic bacteria from the species Pectobacterium carotovorum were screened for the presence of a DNA restriction-modification (R-M) system.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty-nine strains of P. carotovorum were isolated from infected potato plants. Sixty-six strains belonged to P. carotovorum ssp. atrosepticum and 23 to P. carotovorum ssp. carotovorum. The presence of restriction enzyme Pca17AI, which is an isoschizomer of EcoRII endonuclease, was observed in all isolates of P. c. atrosepticum but not in P. c. carotovorum. The biochemical properties, PCR amplification, and sequences of the Pca17AI restriction endonuclease and methyltransferase genes were compared with the prototype EcoRII R-M system genes. Only when DNA isolated from cells of P. c. atrosepticum was used as a template, amplification of a 680 bp homologous to the gene coding EcoRII endonuclease.

CONCLUSIONS

Endonuclease Pca17AI, having a relatively low temperature optimum, was identified. PCR amplification revealed that the nucleotide sequence of genes for EcoRII and Pca17AI R-M are different. Dcm methylation was observed in all strains of Pectobacterium and other Erwinia species tested. The sequence of a DNA fragment coding Dcm methylase in P. carotovorum was different from that of Escherichia coli.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Pca17AI is the first psychrophilic isoschizomer of EcoRII endonuclease. The presence of specific Dcm methylation in chromosomal DNA isolated from P. carotovorum is described for the first time. A 680 bp PCR product, unique for P. c. atrosepticum strains, could serve as a molecular marker for detection of these bacteria in environmental samples.

Genotyping of bacteria belonging to the former Erwinia genus by PCR-RFLP analysis of a recA gene fragment

Genotypic characterization, based on the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of the recA gene fragment PCR product (recA PCR-RFLP), was performed on members of the former Erwinia genus. PCR primers deduced from published recA gene sequences of Erwinia carotovora allowed the amplification of an approximately 730 bp DNA fragment from each of the 19 Erwinia species tested. Amplified recA fragments were compared using RFLP analysis with four endonucleases (AluI, HinfI, TasI and Tru1I), allowing the detection of characteristic patterns of RFLP products for most of the Erwinia species. Between one and three specific RFLP groups were identified among most of the species tested (Erwinia amylovora, Erwinia ananas, Erwinia cacticida, Erwinia cypripedii, Erwinia herbicola, Erwinia mallotivora, Erwinia milletiae, Erwinia nigrifluens, Erwinia persicina, Erwinia psidii, Erwinia quercina, Erwinia rhapontici, Erwinia rubrifaciens, Erwinia salicis, Erwinia stewartii, Erwinia tracheiphila, Erwinia uredovora, Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, Erwinia carotovora subsp. betavasculorum, Erwinia carotovora subsp. odorifera and Erwinia carotovora subsp. wasabiae). However, in two cases, Erwinia chrysanthemi and Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, 15 and 18 specific RFLP groups were detected, respectively. The variability of genetic patterns within these bacteria could be explained in terms of their geographic origin and/or wide host-range. The results indicated that PCR-RFLP analysis of the recA gene fragment is a useful tool for identification of species and subspecies belonging to the former Erwinia genus, as well as for differentiation of strains within E. carotovora subsp. carotovora and E. chrysanthemi.