Exploring the modulatory role of bovine lactoferrin on the microbiome and the immune response in healthy and Shiga toxin‑producing E.coli challenged weaned piglets

Background Post-weaned piglets suffer from F18+Escherichia coli(E.coli)infections resulting in post-weaning diar-rhoea or oedema disease.Frequently used management strategies,including colistin and zinc oxide,have contrib-uted to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.Novel antimicrobials capable of directly interacting with pathogens and modulating the host immune responses are being investigated.Lactoferrin has shown promising results against porcine enterotoxigenic E.coli strains,both in vitro and in vivo.Results We investigated the influence of bovine lactoferrin(bLF)on the microbiome of healthy and infected weaned piglets.Additionally,we assessed whether bLF influenced the immune responses upon Shiga toxin-producing E.coli(STEC)infection.Therefore,2 in vivo trials were conducted:a microbiome trial and a challenge infection trial,using an F18+STEC strain.BLF did not affect theα-andβ-diversity.However,bLF groups showed a higher relative abundance(RA)for the Actinobacteria phylum and the Bifidobacterium genus in the ileal mucosa.When analysing the immune response upon infection,the STEC group exhibited a significant increase in F18-specific IgG serum levels,whereas this response was absent in the bLF group.Conclusion Taken together,the oral administration of bLF did not have a notable impact on theα-andβ-diversity of the gut microbiome in weaned piglets.Nevertheless,it did increase the RA of the Actinobacteria phylum and Bifi-dobacterium genus,which have previously been shown to play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis.Furthermore,bLF administration during STEC infection resulted in the absence of F18-specific serum IgG responses.

Impact of an oligosaccharide-based polymer on the metabolic profiles and microbial ecology of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E.coli

Background Our previous study has reported that supplementation of oligosaccharide-based polymer enhances gut health and disease resistance of pigs infected with enterotoxigenic E.coli(ETEC)F18 in a manner similar to carbadox.The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of oligosaccharide-based polymer or antibiotic on the host metabolic profiles and colon microbiota of weaned pigs experimentally infected with ETEC F18.Results Multivariate analysis highlighted the differences in the metabolic profiles of serum and colon digesta which were predominantly found between pigs supplemented with oligosaccharide-based polymer and antibiotic.The relative abundance of metabolic markers of immune responses and nutrient metabolisms,such as amino acids and carbohydrates,were significantly differentiated between the oligosaccharide-based polymer and antibiotic groups(q<0.2 and fold change>2.0).In addition,pigs in antibiotic had a reduced(P<0.05)relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae,whereas had greater(P<0.05)Clostridiaceae and Streptococcaceae in the colon digesta on d 11 post-inoculation(PI)compared with d 5 PI.Conclusions The impact of oligosaccharide-based polymer on the metabolic and microbial profiles of pigs is not fully understood,and further exploration is needed.However,current research suggest that various mechanisms are involved in the enhanced disease resistance and performance in ETEC-challenged pigs by supplementing this polymer.

Evaluating the Potential of Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin for E.coli UTIs: A Susceptibility Study

This study was designed to find the susceptibility of Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin among urinary isolates of Escherichia.coli.Four hundred(400)urine samples were collected for susceptibility of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin among urinary isolates of E.coli.All indoor and outdoor patients'urinary samples yielded growth of E.coli.Mid-stream urine specimens were inoculated on blood agar and CLED agar and incubated at 35±2°C.Growth was observed,and Escherichia coli was identified by Gram staining,Catalase,Motility test and API 20E(Bio murex)as per standard procedure.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates for nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin was carried out by the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines ATCC 25922.E.coli was used as a quality control strain.A total of 400 samples were tested susceptibility of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin among urinary isolates of E.coli during this period.A total of 400 samples yielded the growth of E.coli,out of which 178(44.5%)were male and 222(55.5%)were female samples.Among males,18(10%)were tolerant to nitrofurantoin,and 2(1.1%)were tolerant to fosfomycin.Among females,9(4.09%)were susceptible to nitrofurantoin while 6(2.72%)were susceptible to fosfomycin.Among age groups below 45 years old,6(4.76%)were tolerant to nitrofurantoin,and 2(1.58%)were sensitive to fosfomycin.Between 46-66 years old,4(2.81%)were sensitive to nitrofurantoin,and 3(2.11%)were sensitive to fosfomycin.Between 67-90 years old,17(12.87%)were sensitive to nitrofurantoin,and 4(3.03%)were tolerant to fosfomycin.Fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin showed good susceptibility in urinary isolates of E.coli and can be used empirically in our setup.

Preparation of immunomagnetic iron-dextran nanopartides and application in rapid isolation of E.coli O157:H7 from foods

AIM: To prepare a kind of magnetic iron-dextran nanopartides that was coated with anti-E.coli O157:H7 IgG, analyze its application conditions, and try to use it to isolate E.coli O157:H7 from foods. METHODS: Magnetic iron-dextran nanopartides were prepared by the reaction of a mixture of ferric and ferrous ions with dextran polymers under alkaline conditions. The particles were coated with antiserum against E.coli O157: H7 by the periodate oxidation-borohydride reduction procedure. The oxidation time, amount of antibody coating the particles, amount of nanoparticles, incubation time and isolation time were varied to determine their effects on recovery of the organisms. Finally, the optimum conditions for isolating E.coli O157:H7 from food samples were established. RESULTS: E.coli O157:H7 can be isolated from samples within 15 min with the sensitivity of 101 CFU/mL or even less. In the presence of 108 CFU/mL of other organisms, the sensitivity is 101-102 CFU/mL. Nonspecific binding of other bacteria to the particles was not observed. Two and a half hours of enrichment is enough for the particles to detect the target from the food samples inoculated with 1 CFU/g. CONCLUSION: Isolation of target bacteria by immuno magnetic nanoparticles is an efficient method with high sensitivity and specificity. The technique is so simple that it can be operated in lab and field even by untrained personnel.

Effect of dietary fiber and threonine content on intestinal barrier function in pigs challenged with either systemic E.coli lipopolysaccharide or enteric Salmonella Typhimurium

Background:The independent and interactive effects of dietary fiber(DF)and threonine(Thr)were investigated in growing pigs challenged with either systemic E.coli lipopolysaccharide(LPS)or enteric Salmonella Typhimurium(ST)to characterise their effect on intestinal barrier function.Results:In experiment 1,intestinal barrier function was assessed via oral lactulose and mannitol(L:M)gavage and fecal mucin analysis in pigs challenged with E.coli LPS and fed low fiber(LF)or high fiber(HF)diets with graded dietary Thr.Urinary lactulose recovery and L:M ratio increased(P<0.05)during the LPS inoculation period in LF fed pigs but not in HF fed pigs.Fecal mucin output was increased(P<0.05)in pigs fed HF compared to LF fed pigs.In experiment 2,RT-qPCR,ileal morphology,digesta volatile fatty acid(VFA)content,and fecal mucin output were measured in Salmonella Typhimurium challenged pigs,fed LF or HF diets with standard or supplemented dietary Thr.Salmonella inoculation increased(P<0.05)fecal mucin output compared to the unchallenged period.Supplemental Thr increased fecal mucin output in the HF-fed pigs(Fib×Thr;P<0.05).Feeding HF increased(P<0.05)VFA concentration in cecum and colon.No effect of either Thr or fiber on expression of gene markers was observed except a tendency(P=0.06)for increased MUC2 expression with the HF diet.Feeding HF increased goblet cell numbers(P<0.05).Conclusion:Dietary fiber appears to improve barrier function through increased mucin production capacity(i.e.,goblet cell numbers,MUC2 gene expression)and secretion(i.e.,fecal mucin output).The lack of effect of dietary Thr in Salmonella-challenged pigs provides further evidence that mucin secretion in the gut is conserved and,therefore,Thr may be limiting for growth under conditions of increased mucin production.

Comparison of extended spectrum β-lactamasesproducing Escherichia coli with non-ESBLsproducing E.coli:drug-resistance and virulence

The virulent factors of Escherichia coil （E.cofi） play an important role in the process of pathopoiesis. The study aimed to compare drug-resistant genes and virulence genes between extended spectrum β-1actamases （ESBLs）-producing E.coli and non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi to provide a reference for physicians in management of hospital infection. From October 2010 to August 2011,96 drug-resistant strains of E. coli isolated were collected from the specimens in Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China. These bacteria strains were divided into a ESBLs-producing group and a non-ESBLs-producing group. Drug sensitivity tests were performed using the Kirby-Bauer （K-B） method. Disinfectant gene, qacEAl-sull and 8 virulence genes （CNF2, hlyA, eaeA, VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1） were tested by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Among the 96 E.coli isolates, the ESBLs-producing E.coli comprised 46 （47.9%） strains and the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi consisted of 50 （52.1%） strains. The detection rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, qacEAl-sull, CNF2, hlyA, eaeA,VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1 in 46 ESBLs-producing E.coli isolates were 89.1%, 76.1%, 6.5%, 69.6%, 69.6%, 89.1%, 10.9%, 26.1%, 8.7%, and 19.6%, respectively. In the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains, the positive rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, qacEAl-sull, CNF2, hlyA, eaeA, VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1 were 62.0%, 80.0%, 16.0%, 28.0%, 64.0%, 38.0%, 6.0%, 34.0%, 10.0%, and 24.0%, respectively. The difference in the detection rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, hlyA and VT1 between the ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains and the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of multiple drug-resistant strains is higher in the ESBLs-producing strains than in the non-ESBLs-producing strains. The expression of some virulence genes hlyA and VT1 varies between the ESBLs-producing strains and the non-ESBLs-producing strains. Increased awareness of clinicians and enhanced testing by laboratories are required to reduce treatment failures and prevent the spread of multiple drug-resistant strains.

Expression of Outer Capsid Protein VP5 of Grass Carp Reovirus in E.coli and Analysis of its Immunogenicity

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is a tentative member of the Aquareovirus genus in the family Reoviridae. The mature virion comprises 11 dsRNA genomes enclosed by two concentric icosahedral proteins shells that is comprised of five core proteins and two outer capsid proteins. The genome sequence and 3D structure demonstrate there is a higher level of sequence homology in structural proteins between GCRV and mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) compared to other members of the family. To understand the pathogenesis of GCRV infection, the outer capsid protein VP5, a homology of the μ1 protein of MRV, was expressed in E.coli. It was found that the recombinant VP5 was highly expressed, and the expressed His-tag fusion protein was involved in the formation of the inclusion body. Additionally, specific anti-VP5 serum was prepared from purified protein and western blot demonstrated that the expressed protein was able to bind immunologically to rabbit anti GCRV particle serum and the immunogenicity was determined by ELISA assay. Additional experiments in investigating the functional properties of VP5 will further elucidate the role of the GCRV outer capsid protein VP5 during entry into host cells, and its interaction among viral proteins and host cells during the infection process.

Integration of E.coli aroG-pheA tandem genes into Corynebacterium glutamicum tyrA locus and its effect on L-phenylalanine biosynthesis

AIM: To study the effect of integration of tandem aroG-pheA genes into the tyrA locus of Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) on the production of L-phenylalanine.METHODS: By nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis, five pfluorophenylalanine (FP)-resistant mutants of Cglutamicum FP were selected. The tyrA gene encoding prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH) of C.glutamicum was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned on the plasmid pPR. Kanamycin resistance gene (Km) and the PBF-aroGpheA-T (GA) fragment of pGA were inserted into tyrA gene to form targeting vectors pl-K and pTGAK, respectively. Then,they were transformed into C.glutamicum FP respectively by electroporation. Cultures were screened by a medium containing kanamycin and detected by PCR and phenotype analysis. The transformed strains were used for L-phenylalanine fermentation and enzyme assays.RESULTS: Engineering strains of C.glutamicum (Tyr-)were obtained. Compared with the original strain, the transformed strain C. glutamicum GAK was observed to have the highest elevation of L-phenylalanine production by a 1.71-fold,and 2.9-, 3.36-, and 3.0-fold in enzyme activities of chorismate mutase, prephenate dehydratase and 3-deoxy-Darabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase, respectively.CONCLUSION: Integration of tandem aroG-pheA genes into tyrA locus of C. glutamicum chromosome can disrupt tyrA gene and increase the yield of L-phenylalanine production.

An Improved Strategy for Efficient Expression and Purification of Soluble HIV-1 Tat Protein in E.coli

Although the endogenous function of Tat has been elucidated in the past twenty years, the study of its exogenous activity has been hampered due to the difficulty of large scale preparation of the active Tat protein. To express the full-length Tat protein in E.coli, the tat gene was cloned from an HIV infected patient by overlapping PCR. Rare codon usage analysis showed that rare E.coli codons, especially consecutive rare codons for Arg, account for 14% (14 of 101) rare E.coli codons in the tat gene. The expression of the HIV-1 tat gene was verified to be very poor in strain BL21 (DE3) due to the abundance of rare codons; however, tat gene expression was found to be very efficient in the host strain of Rosetta-gami B (DE3), which was supplemented with six rare tRNAs for Arg, Leu, Ile and Pro. Subsequent purification revealed that the proteins are soluble and unusually, the tagged Tat can form dimers independent of cystine disulfide bonds. The purity, integrity and molecular weight of the Tat protein were demonstrated by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Reporter gene activating assay was further confirmed by investigating the transactivation activity of the recombinant Tat protein. Our improved strategy for efficient high level expression and purification of soluble Tat protein has paved the way to fully investigate its exogenous function.

Receptor-binding domain of SARS-Cov spike protein: Soluble expression in E.coli, purification and functional characterization

AIM： To find a soluble and functional recombinant receptor-binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus （SARS-Cov）, and to analyze its receptor binding ability. METHODS： Three fusion tags （glutathione S-transferase, GST; thioredoxin, Trx; maltose-binding protein, MBP）, which preferably contributes to increasing solubility and to facilitating the proper folding of heteroprotein, were used to acquire the soluble and functional expression of RBD protein in Escherichia coli （BL21（DE3） and Rosetta-gamiB （DE3） strains）. The receptor binding ability of the purified soluble RBD protein was then detected by ELISA and flow cytometry assay. RESULTS： RBD of SARS-Cov spike protein was expressed as inclusion body when fused as TrxA tag form in both BL21 （DE3） and Rosetta-gamiB （DE3） under many different cultures and induction conditions. And there was no visible expression band on SDS-PAGE when RBD was expressed as MBP tagged form. Only GST tagged RBD was soluble expressed in BL21（DE3）, and the protein was purified by AKTA Prime Chromatography system. The ELISA data showed that GST.RBD antigen had positive reaction with anti-RBD mouse monoclonal antibody 1A5. Further flow cytometry assay demonstrated the high efficiency of RBD＇s binding ability to ACE2 （angiotensin-converting enzyme 2） positive Vero E6 cell. And ACE2 was proved as a cellular receptor that meditated an initial-affinity interaction with SARS-Cov spike protein. The geometrical mean of GST and GST.RBD binding to Vero E6 cells were 77.08 and 352.73 respectively. CONCLUSION： In this paper, we get sufficient soluble N terminal GST tagged RBD protein expressed in EcoliBL21 （DE3）; data from ELISA and flow cytometry assay demonstrate that the recombinant protein is functional and binding to ACE2 positive Vero E6 cell efficiently. And the recombinant RBD derived from E.coli can be used to developing subunit vaccine to block S protein binding with receptor and to neutralizing SARS-Cov infection.

Isolation and Identification of a Pathogenic E.coli Strain Causing Diarrhea in Foxes

[Objectives] The study aimed to identify the pathogenic E. coli strain that caused diarrhea in foxes and to analyze its drug sensitivity.[Methods] A pathogenic E. coli strain was isolated from dead foxes with diarrhea. By conventional bacterial isolation and culture, morphological observation, pathogenicity test and K-B disc method, the isolated strain was identified as pathogenic E. coli .[Results] The isolated pathogen was highly sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and lincomycin, moderately sensitive to enrofloxacin, neomycin, gentamycin, spectinomycin, florfenicol, amikacin and polymyxin, and resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin and doxycycline.[Conclusions] This study provided reference for the prevention and control of diarrheal diseases in foxes in Qinhuangdao region.

Effect of Ciprofloxacin on S.aureus and E.coli Growth in Presence of Vitamin C Using Cup Cut Diffusion Method

Ciprofloxacin is a second-generation of fluoroquinolone,broad-spectrum antibiotic with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.It is one of the most widely used antibiotics,because of its efficacy,safety,and relatively low cost.Ascorbic acid(vitamin C)is water-soluble monosaccharide antioxidant;it is essentially required by the body for its various biochemical and physiological processes.S.aureus is Gram-positive cocci;widely distributed in the environment,it is a member of the normal flora of the body.S.aureus is not always pathogenic;it is a common cause of skin infections including abscesses,respiratory infections such as sinusitis,and food poisoning.E.coli is Gram-negative bacteria,found in the environment,foods,and intestines.Most E.coli strains are harmless;it is part of the normal microbiota of the gut.However,some serotypes of E.coli cause serious food poisoning in their hosts;it can cause diarrhea,while others cause urinary tract infections,respiratory illness and pneumonia,and other illnesses.Method:Cup cut diffusion method was applied.Experiment I:is carried out to choose the concentration of vitamin C to be used in experiment II.The negative control is normal saline,added in cup in each plate,vitamin C(100 mg/mL,200 mg/mL,400 mg/mL)was added,the volume in each cup was 100μL.Experiment II:Eight groups of treatments were applied.The first is the negative control(1%normal saline),the second group is the positive control of vitamin C(200 mg/mL).The third,fourth and fifth groups are ciprofloxacin with different concentrations(10 mg/mL,20 mg/mL,40 mg/mL);the sixth,seventh and eighth are the combination of vitamin C with each concentration of ciprofloxacin(10 mg/mL,20 mg/mL,40 mg/mL).Each group includes six petri dishes.Bacterial plates were incubated at 37 oC for 24 h and 48 h.Zone of inhibition is measured in mm.Results and conclusion:Ciprofloxacin produces dose dependent increase in zone of inhibition of S.aureus and E.coli growth,after 24 and 48 hours incubation.While vitamin C in the concentration used produced inhibitory effect on the growth of S.aureus and E.coli,after 24 hours incubation,vitamin C effect was not changed after 48 hours incubation.After 24 hours incubation,vitamin C potentiated the effect of ciprofloxacin at low concentration(10 mg/mL);while vitamin C antagonized the effect of ciprofloxacin at higher concentrations(20 and 40 mg/mL)on S.aureus growth.In the same time,ciprofloxacin antagonized the inhibitory effect of vitamin C on S.aureus growth.After 48 hours incubation,S.aureus produced resistance against ciprofloxacin alone,and that combined with vitamin C compared to zone of inhibition after 24 hours.Ciprofloxacin produced dose dependent inhibition of E.coli growth after incubation for 24 and 48 hours.Vitamin C potentiated the inhibitory effect induced by ciprofloxacin(additive effect).The inhibitory effect of ciprofloxacin,vitamin C and the combination was not changed after 48 hours compared to 24 hours.

The effect of Some Boron Derivatives on Kanamycin Resistance and Survival of E.coli and P.aeruginosa in Lake Water

Objective To study MIC value of 7 boron derivatives namely [Boric acid （H3BO3）, Anhydrous Borax （Na2B407）, Sodium Borate （NaBO2）, Diammonium Tetraborate （NH4）2B4O7, Sodium Perborate （NaBO3）, Boron Trioxide （B203）, Potassium Tetraborate （K2B407）] on E. coil and P. aeruginosa and their effects on survival of bacteria in lake water and resistance against kanamycin antibiotic. Methods MIC values of Boron derivatives and antibiotic were studied by broth microdilution method. The effect of boron derivatives on survival of bacteria in lake water were also determined with plate count. Results Sodium perborate was determined as the substances. Effectiveness increased as temperature most effective substance among the studied increased. E. coil was more affected from P. aeruginosa in 8 mg/mL sodium perborate concentration in lake water. Moreover, it was determined that MIC value of kanamycin antibiotic decreased 200 times by especially treating P. aeruginosa with sodium perborate in lake water. However, it can be stated that this change in resistance did not arise from microorganisms. Conclusion Sodium perborate solution can be used supportedly in kanamycin antibiotic applications for P. aeruginosa. Future studies are necessary to explore the relation between sodium perborate and kanamycin which is effective on P. aeruginosa in lake water.

Inducible Expression and Splicing of Candida Group I Ribozyme in E.coli

The Ca. LSU intron flanking a 129 bp cxon upstream and a fOO bp exondownstream was inserted into the lacZ gene on pRS426 to transform E. coli. Northern blot analysisand RT-PCR showed that splicing of Ca. LSU in E. coli is efficient upon inducible expression of theprecursor RNA, In contrast, co-lranscriptional self-splicing of the intron in vitro is much lessactive. Therefore, this E. coli splicing system can be used as a better model to investigate theeffect of the ribozyme inhibitors on Ca. LSUsplicing in living cell. We examined (he effects ofneomycin sulfatc and pentamidine on Ca. LSU splicing in E. coli, and found that these drugsdoes-dependently inhibit the intron splicing. However, heomycin is more potent than pentamidine inthis action.

Frequency of E.coli pathotypes in acute diarrhea of children and its related factorsat Beassat hospital,Sanandaj

Objective:Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries.The bacterial pathogen most commonly associated with childhood diarrhea is Escherichia coli.A one-year prospective study was carried out in Sanandaj to determine the prevalence and roles of the different E.coli pathotypes in children less than five years of age with acute diarrhea.Methods:Rectal swab were collected prospectively from children with acute diarrhea and transported to the Department of Microbiology,School of Medicine, KUMS,Sanandaj during 2008.The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.Results:During this study period,rectal swabs were investigated from a total of 466 children 1 to 144 months of age(mean, 29.97 months±S.D) with diarrhea.Among the children,191(41%,191/466) were girls,and 275 (59%,275/466) were boys.The age-specific incidence rates of acute diarrhea among children 13-24 and 1 - 12 months of age were 37.37%(37/99) and 26.26%(26/99),respectively,during the study period.A total of 99 strains of E.coli were detected.EPEC 59(59.59%) and EIEC 22(22.22%),were the most commonly found Escherichia coli strains detected in stools from children.Disk diffusion testing showed E.coli strains resistance to tetracycline(89.89%),chloramphenicol(88.88%),Ampicillin(79.79%),Amoxicillin (75.75%) and Ceficime(75.75%).Among risk factors like age,sex,haemoglubin,fathers and mothers education,food and weight of children only mother's education was significant(P =0.018).Conclusion: In most of the clinical laboratories in Iran,E.coli does not considered as an etiologic agent responsible for diarrhea. Results in this study revealed that E.coli should be considered as an etiologic agent causing acute diarrhea among children.We therefore,recommend the routine isolation and identification of E.coli strains in all the clinical laboratories in Sanandaj.Guidelines for appropriate use of antibiotics in Sanandaj need updating.

Construction and Identification of a Yeast Two-Hybrid Bait Vector and Its Effect on the Growth of Yeast Cells and the Self-Activating Function of Reporter Genes for Screening of HPV18 E6-Interacting Protein

By using a yeast two-hybrid system,a yeast two-hybrid bait vector was constructed and identified for screening of the HPV18 E6-interacting proteins,and its effects on the growth of yeast cells and the activation of reporter genes were investigated.Total mRNA extracted from Hela cells was reversely transcribed into cDNA.Fragment of HPV18 E6 cDNA was amplified using RT-PCR and directly ligated to the pGBKT7 vector.The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequencing.Th...

Survey of O-islands in Escherichia coli O157 and Other Enteric Pathogens——O-islands of E.coli O157∶H7

The genome of the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157∶H7 EDL933 contains 177 “O”-islands (OIs). To study their potential contribution to the O157-specific pathogenicity, we surveyed the distribution of 22 OIs by PCR and DNA hybridization in 17 isolates of Shiga toxin producing (Stx-positive) E.coli O157∶H7, and compared with their distribution in 21 isolates of Stx-negative E.coli O157 and 21 isolates of non-O157 enteric pathogens. Fourteen of 22 OIs were present in non-O157 entericpathogens analyzed. Eight of 22 OIs were found only in the 17 Shiga toxin- (Stx) positive E.coli O157∶H7 isolates, but they were absent from the 21 Stx-negative E.coli O157∶NM and O157︰Hund isolates tested. Among the 8 OIs, only OI43 or OI48 were exclusively detected in Stx-positive E.coli O157∶H7, absent from neither of Stx-negative E.coli O157 and non-O157 enteric pathogens, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Citrobacter, Vibrio cholera, enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), enteroadherent E.coli (EAEC), enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC) and enterotoxingenic E.coli (ETEC). The OI43 and OI48 are 83 kb in size and identical in DNA sequences, which encode genes for urease, tellurite resistance and adherence. By analyzing their junction genes with PCR and DNA hybridization, we found that 21 Chinese isolates have OI48 only. However, for 7 Japanese patient isolates, 4 have OI43 and 3 have OI48; for American isolates, 2 have both of OI43 and OI48, 2 have OI48 only. These data confirmed the highly plasticity of the pathogenic E.coli genome. The unique presence of OI43/OI48 in Stx-positive E.coli O157∶H7 denotes its critical role in the pathogenicity specific to this pathogen.

Differential expression of bcl-2 and bax genes during the E.coli-induced apoptosis of human U937 cells

To explore the role of bcl-2 and bax genes in the apoptosis of human U937 cells induced by E.coli, flow cytometry assay with annexinⅤ-FITC/PI double staining was used to determine the condition of apoptosis, and the expressions of mRNA of bcl-2 and bax genes were assayed with RT-PCR. It was found that the apoptosis of human U937 cells could be induced by E.coli at various concentration ratios between cells and bacteria for 30 min in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic rates at cell/bacteria ratios of 0, 1∶5, 1∶10, 1∶20, 1∶50 and 1∶100 were 3.16%±0.90%, 9.46%±0.84%, 17.90%±1.41%, 35.59%±3.76%, 38.35%±7.12% and 55.07%±5.82% respectively. Also, there was a tendency of alterations in the expression levels of bcl-2 and bax genes with an increased expression level of bax gene and a reduced expression level of bcl-2 gene. It is concluded that E.coli can induce apoptosis in human U937 cells with a down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and an up-regulated expression of Bax, and this might be related to the induction of apoptosis of the infected cell.

重组体pET-28a-alkB/E.coli降解页岩油泥石油烃的功能研究

为了降解页岩油泥中的石油烃,构建基因工程菌,表达石油烃降解关键酶以提高油泥的降解效果。以Pseudomonas qingdaonensis基因组为模板扩增alkB基因,连接至载体pET-28a,转化至E.coli BL21(DE3)中,SDS-PAGE和Western-blot鉴定表达的外源蛋白。pET-28a-alkB/E.coli处理原油和页岩油泥,采用气相色谱法评估降解效果。发现alkB基因在大肠杆菌中能表达外源蛋白,且14 d原油及页岩油泥的降解率分别为47.5%和47.1%,表明重组体pET-28a-alkB/E.coli具备降解页岩油泥石油烃的功能。

De Novo Synthesis of Biopaint Using Transformed Bacteria: Analysis of Spectral Intensity Trends and Comparison to Commercial Paint

Background: Commercial paint pigments contain toxic heavy metals that harm humans and pollute the environment. To mitigate these harms, ecologically safe pigments are necessary. Objective: This experiment aims to create a biopaint de-novo using transformed Escherichia coli bacteria and compare it to commercial paint. Methods: Genetically engineered E. coli bacteria producing magenta pigment were grown in petri dishes. The pigment protein was extracted, filtered, and dehydrated into a crystalline powder. This was mixed with acrylic medium to make biopaint. The biopaint and commercial paint were applied on acrylic paper;red, green, blue, and total spectral intensities were measured daily under different testing conditions. Spectral intensity variability was measured and compared using the Coefficient of Variation (CV). Trends in spectral intensity were analyzed using regression analysis. Results: The differences in the CV of biopaint to commercial paint were less than 20% under all testing conditions. Spectral intensities for both biopaint and commercial paint did not show any significant change during the testing period under the conditions of room temperature, heat, and humidity. However, under the cold testing condition, biopaint showed a slight but statistically significant (p-value Conclusion: This experiment proves that E. coli-derived pigments can be used to make biopaint which has a similar durability to commercial paint as measured by the spectral intensities.