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PubMed1980

Function of ubiquinone in the electron transport system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown aerobically.

The location and function of ubiquinone in the electron transport system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown aerobically were studied. The reduction level of ubiquinone in the intact membrane was 36-43% in the aerobic steady state and about 65% in the anaerobic state with one substrate, but the level in the anaerobic state reached to 81% with a mixture of several substrates. Complete removal of ubiquinone performed by extracting the lyophilized membrane particles with n-pentane containing acetone resulted in complete loss of all oxidase activities for glucose, gluconate, malate, succinate, and NADH. In the ubiquinone-depleted particles, neither cytochrome component was reduced by adding any substrate. Reincorporation of coenzyme Q9 into the depleted particles restored each oxidase activity to 60 to 80% of the original and reduction of cytochromes with substrates. The reduction kinetics of cytochromes and effect of inhibitors showed that coenzyme Q9 was incorporated at the original site in the electron transport system. Exogenous coenzyme Q2 increased gluconate and malate oxidase activities and decreased glucose oxidase activity, when French-pressed membrane vesicles but not spheroplasts were used. Oxidizing activity for reduced coenzyme Q2 was also detected in the pressed vesicles but not in the spheroplasts. The present results showed that ubiquinone was indispensable and located prior to cytochromes in the electron transport system. Furthermore, the homogeneity and sidedness of ubiquinone in the cytoplasmic membrane of the organism are also discussed.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1979

Induction of reversion from the L-form to the sporogenous phase of Bacillus licheniformis var. endoparasiticus (Benedek).

The rate of reversion from the L-form to the complete bacillus phase of Bacillus licheniformis var. endoparasiticus (BLE)was increased by a factor of c. x20, by growth in the presence of 1% diaminopimelic acid in a well plate, and c. x25 with a 1% hog gastric mucin spread on the plate surface. Saturated riboflavin solution and growth products of staphylococci in wells had a lesser effect. The revertants were subsequently stable when isolated in the absence of additive. The rate of reversion from a spheroplast to a diphtheroid phase was not significantly altered by these additives. These findings are of practical value in studies to distinguish between the BLE sporing bacillus and postulated phases of the organism that include diphtheroid and spheroplast L-forms and debated mycoplasma-like forms.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Morphological response and growth characteristics of Legionella pneumophila exposed to ampicillin and erythromycin.

The morphological response of two strains of Legionella pneumophila to ampicillin 10 micrograms/ml and erythromycin 10 micrograms/ml in vitro was studied by electronmicroscopy, MIC estimations and viable counts. In the presence of ampicillin, discrete lesions appeared in the bacterial cell walls through which cytoplasmic contents extruded and lysis occurred. A few spheroplasts, together with minicells of 0.15-micron diameter, and apparently normal cells were present after exposure to ampicillin for several hours. Conversely, erythromycin initially resulted in inhibition of division and the formation of filamentous organisms. The cell walls of these filaments were eventually disrupted with numerous small membranous vesicles appearing on their surfaces. On further erythromycin treatment, breakage of the cell wall at a restricted number of sites occurred, leading to cell lysis. In the presence of erythromycin, a few morphologically normal cells were present but no spheroplasts or minicells were observed. Viable counts demonstrated that ampicillin killed the bacteria faster than erythromycin. Regrowth did not occur in the continued presence of either antibiotic, but after their removal regrowth was observed.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1975

Evidence for an aminoendopeptidase localized near the cell surface of Escherichia coli. Regulation of synthesis by inorganic phosphate.

An enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the substrate L-alanine p-nitroanilide has been found in the various Escherichia coli strains tested. This enzyme has been called aminoendopeptidase since it shows both activities (see accompanying paper). It is released from the cells by osmotic shock and by lysozyme -- EDTA spheroplasting treatment, and 50% of the total activity is directly detectable with suspensions of intact cells. However, the release by osmotic shock or spheroplasting is not as efficient as it is for alkaline phosphatase. This periplasmic aminoendopeptidase is constitutively produced but the differential rate of synthesis is increased 4-fold when the cell growth is limited by Pi. The occurrence of this 'derepression' is simultaneous with that of alkaline phosphatase. Increasing the concentration of inorganic phosphate in the medium has no effect on the constitutive aminoendopeptidase synthesis. The effect of phosphate starvation is specific since starvation for neither nitrogen nor carbon and energy source are effective in derepressing aminoendopeptidase.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1982

Preparation of a mRNA-dependent cell-free translation system from whole cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A cell-free protein-synthesizing system has been prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by mechanical breakage of cells, isolation of a 30000 x g supernatant fraction and removal of endogenous mRNA by treatment with micrococcal nuclease. The system thus isolated is dependent on added mRNA and translates yeast mRNA to discrete products, many of then identical with yeast proteins synthesized in vivo. Activity and properties of this system are comparable to those of other eukaryotic cell-free translation systems. It offers the following advantages, compared to yeast translation systems described previously. (a) Its isolation is simple and fast. (b) Since it is not isolated from spheroplasts there is no danger of its inactivation by contaminants in enzymes used for spheroplast preparation. (c) Isolation appears to be less strain-dependent and can be carried out starting from cells in various physiological states.

Cell-Free System↗
PubMed1984

The effect of myo-inositol deficiency on phosphatases of yeast.

Activities of several phosphohydrolases are significantly enhanced when cells of the inositol-requiring yeast, Saccharomyces uvarum ATCC 9080, are deprived of inositol. This effect is most pronounced for the external acid phosphatase and cannot be explained simply by limitation of cellular growth, because starvation for vitamins or sulphate has no effect on acid phosphatase activities. Excessive secretion of acid phosphatase by spheroplasts prepared from inositol-deficient cells is greatly reduced when the spheroplast medium is supplemented with inositol and is immediately suppressed by the addition of cycloheximide. These results together with data obtained from experiments with whole cells, employing cycloheximide and actinomycin D, point to a regulatory effect of inositol limitation at the level of transcription. The external enzymes beta-D-fructofuranosidase, alpha-D-galactosidase and L-asparaginase, and the vacuolar enzyme carboxypeptidase Y are not affected by inositol deficiency indicating that inositol deficiency has no general effect on protein secretion.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2004

Morphological changes induced by imipenem and meropenem at sub-inhibitory concentrations in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Abstract Sub-inhibitory concentrations of imipenem and meropenem were evaluated for their ability to induce morphological changes with six strains of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from patients with nosocomial pneumonia. Three strains were susceptible and three were resistant to carbapenems. The strains were grown in the presence of 0 (controls), 0.25x, 0.5x and 1x the MIC of both carbapenems for 4 h, and then examined after Gram's stain. Cells > or = 3 microm in size (spheroplasts) were considered to be altered. Both carbapenems induced significant numbers of spheroplasts compared to controls. Imipenem had more effect against susceptible strains, while meropenem had a greater effect against resistant strains.

Acinetobacter baumannii↗
PubMed1999

Studies of the subtilin leader peptide as a translocation signal in Escherichia coli K12.

Subtilin is an antimicrobial peptide of the lantibiotic family that is produced by Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, and its biosynthesis involves expression of presubtilin which consists of a leader segment and a mature segment. The leader segment is unlike a typical sec-type general secretion signal, and its ability to mediate translocation through a non-sec pathway has been previously studied by fusing the subtilin leader to an alkaline phosphatase reporter and expressing it in B. subtilis 168 [Izaguirre, G. and Hansen, J. N. (1997) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63, 3965-3971]. In this work, we have expressed the same subtilin leader-AP fusion in Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and found that the AP polypeptide is translocated into the periplasmic compartment and assembles into an enzymatically active form. The subtilin leader segment was not cleaved from this enzymatically active AP, which remained associated with the membrane. Conversion of the cells to spheroplasts followed by treatment with proteinase K showed that about 50% of the bound AP was sufficiently exposed on the surface of the spheroplasts to be inactivated by proteolytic cleavage.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

Yeast expressed cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) exposed on the external face of plasma membrane is functionally competent.

CYP2D6, a xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 (P450), was found to be present in significant amount on the outer face of cell plasma membrane in addition to the regular microsomal location. Present work demonstrates that this external P450 is catalytically competent and that activity is supported by NADPH-P450 reductase present on the inner face of plasma membrane. Purified plasma membranes from yeast expressing CYP2D6 sustained NADPH- and cumene hydroperoxide-dependent dextromethorphan demethylation and NADPH-cytochrome c activity confirming previous observations in human hepatocytes. CYP2D6 found on the outside of plasma membrane (by differential immuno-inhibition and acidic shift assays on transformed spheroplasts) was catalytically competent at the cell surface for NADPH-supported activities. Anti-yeast P450-reductase antibodies inhibited neither CYP2D6 nor P450-reductase activities upon incubation with intact spheroplasts. In contrast, both activities were inhibited on isolated plasma membrane fragments. This highly suggested a cytosolic-orientation of the plasma membrane P450-reductase. This finding was confirmed by immunostaining in confocal microscopy. Finally, gene deletion of P450-reductase caused a complete loss of plasma membrane NADPH-supported CYP2D6 activity, which suggests that the reductase participates to some degree in the transmembrane electron transfer chain. This work illustrates that the outside-exposed plasma membrane CYP2D6 is active and may play an important metabolic role.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1977

Binding of thienamycin and clavulanic acid to the penicillin-binding proteins of Escherichia coli K-12.

Thienamycin and clavulanic acid are new beta-lactam derivatives with structures markedly different from those of penicillins or cephalosporins. Both derivatives had the same general mode of action as typical beta-lactam antibiotics since they bound to precisely the same proteins as [(14)C]benzylpenicillin. Thienamycin showed high affinity for penicillin-binding proteins 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 and a lower affinity for protein 3. Protein 2 had the highest affinity for thienamycin, and concentrations from the minimal morphological change concentration (0.1 mug/ml) up to about 0.6 mug/ml resulted in the conversion of Escherichia coli KN126 into large osmotically stable round cells. Above a concentration of 0.6 mug/ml, rapid cell lysis occurred with the release of the cell contents as spheroplasts. Clavulanic acid showed good affinity for penicillin-binding protein 2, moderate affinity for proteins 1, 4, 5, and 6, and low affinity for protein 3. Protein 2 had the highest affinity for clavulanic acid, and concentrations from the minimal morphological change concentration (30 mug/ml) up to about 50 mug/ml produced a mixture of slightly elongated, swollen, bulging, and lemon-shaped cells. Above a concentration of 50 mug/ml, rapid lysis occurred with production of spheroplasts. The properties of thienamycin and clavulanic acid were compared with those of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and amidinopenicillanic acids.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1990

Postantibiotic effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on Escherichia coli evaluated by bioluminescence assay of bacterial ATP.

The in vitro postantibiotic effects (PAE) of aztreonam, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, imipenem, and piperacillin on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were studied by a bioluminescence assay of bacterial ATP. In parallel with the PAE investigation, viability and morphology studies were performed. The strain was exposed for 2 h to different concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics. The antibiotic activity was eliminated by 10(-4) dilutions, and regrowth of bacteria was monitored hourly by the bioluminescence assay of bacterial ATP. The length of PAE was dose dependent for ceftazidime (0.5 to 2.6 h), cefuroxime (0.4 to 2.6 h), and imipenem (0.3 to 4.5 h). The long PAE for these antibiotics at higher concentrations was associated with a potent initial killing and the presence of spheroplasts. Aztreonam and piperacillin produced a short, non-dose-dependent PAE (0.4 to 0.95 h). Short PAEs (below 1 h) were seen concomitantly with production of filaments, except in the case of imipenem, which only produced spheroplasts. The bioluminescence method was not jeopardized by filament formation, in contrast to the viable count assay which is normally used for PAE investigations. This makes it possible to study PAE for beta-lactam antibiotics on gram-negative bacteria with bioluminescence.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Morphological response of Bilophila wadsworthia to imipenem: correlation with properties of penicillin-binding proteins.

The penicillin-binding protein (PBP) patterns of six strains of Bilophila wadsworthia were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and subsequent fluorography of membrane preparations labelled with [3H]benzylpenicillin. The PBP profiles among the strains were similar; generally, seven to nine PBP-reactive bands could be visualized; their molecular weights ranged from 31 to 137 kDa. The relative affinities of the PBPs of four strains of B. wadsworthia for imipenem were examined and correlated with the morphological responses of the cells to imipenem. Morphological changes were examined by light and electron microscopies. Light microscopy revealed that at low concentrations (less than the MIC), imipenem induced the formation of rounded and bulging cells; rarely, elongation without filamentation was observed. In the presence of imipenem at the MIC, spheroplast formation was observed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies revealed round forms together with larger, multilobate cells in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of imipenem, suggesting that new growth sites were initiated while cell division was inhibited. Peeling of the outer membrane was also seen. Spheroplasts were very large (up to 30 microns in diameter) and stable in aqueous solution. Inhibition of the PBPs could be seen in the presence of low imipenem concentrations.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1974

Isolation, characterization, and action of colicin M.

Colicin M was isolated from Escherichia coli K-12 32T 19F/T1. The purified, biologically active protein had a molecular weight of 27,000. It contained phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The molecular weight found for the polypeptide chain by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate was 18,000. Colicin M was found to be firmly integrated in the membrane of the producing strain. The action of the colicin seems to be on the membrane, since cells of the susceptible strain E. coli K-12 ROW/V/22.1 lyse rapidly. Using the phase contrast microscope, lysis was followed by decrease in turbidity of the cell culture and release of protein into the medium. Lysis started at about 15 min after addition of colicin M and was completed after 40 to 60 min. At this time, one-third of the protein had been released from the cells. The number of viable cells dropped within 10 min to 0.01%. Colicin M induced formation of spheroplasts in the presence of 16% sucrose. The electron microscope examination revealed that at first bulges in the cell envelope appear, most frequently occurring equatorially but also occurring at sites all over the cell. In the process of spheroplast formation, the cytoplasmic membrane often retreats from one-half of the outer membrane so that the cytoplasm is confined to one hemisphere. Sucrose did not prevent cells from dying unless cells were pregrown in a sucrose containing medium for several generations before colicin M was added. With cells pregrown in the presence of sucrose, the number of survivors was 100 times higher than in the absence of sucrose.

Colicins↗
PubMed1976

Evaluation of antibiotic efficacy using electron microscopy: morphological effects of guanylureido cephalosporin, chlorobenzoylureido cephalosporin, BL-P1654, and carbenicillin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to carbenicillin, BL-P1654, and two cephalosporins (112384 and 112883) was evaluated by minimal inhibitory concentration determinations, [(14)C]leucine uptake studies, morphological studies of colonial growth, and mouse intraperitoneal inoculations. Spheroplast formation and bacterial lysis were not the early response; instead, cell division was inhibited and long filaments were formed. Spheroplast formation and bacterial lysis were not observed in the first 7 h of incubation in minimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotic.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria inhibits antibacterial activity of brochocin-C.

Brochocin-C is a two-peptide bacteriocin produced by Brochothrix campestris ATCC 43754 that has a broad activity spectrum comparable to that of nisin. Brochocin-C has an inhibitory effect on EDTA-treated gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide mutants, and spheroplasts of Typhimurium strains LT2 and SL3600. Brochocin-C treatment of cells and spheroplasts of strains of LT2 and SL3600 resulted in hydrolysis of ATP. The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria protects the cytoplasmic membrane from the action of brochocin-C. It appears that brochocin-C is similar to nisin and possibly does not require a membrane receptor for its function; however, the difference in effect of the two bacteriocins on intracellular ATP indicates that they cause different pore sizes in the cytoplasmic membrane.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1974

Isolation of polyribosomes from yeast during sporulation and vegetative growth.

Exponentially growing and sporulating cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been subjected to a variety of conditions which mechanically disrupt the cell in an effort to establish conditions which permit the recovery of intact polyribosomes. Grinding cells for 10 s with glass beads in a Bronwill cell homogenizer was sufficiently gentle to yield a polyribosome content in exponentially growing cells which was similar to values obtained from yeast spheroplasts. Polyribosome patterns in sporulating yeast were similar to those from exponentially growing cells. This technique is fast, reproducible over a wide range of cell concentrations, and eliminates the need to make spheroplasts to recover intact polyribosomes.

Cell Fractionation↗
PubMed1970

Interaction of Gram-Negative Bacteria with the Lysosomal Fraction of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes II. Changes in the Cell Envelope of Escherichia coli.

Interaction of lysosomal fraction with Escherichia coli caused damage to the cell envelope of these intact cells and to the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli spheroplasts. The damage to the cytoplasmic membrane was manifested in the release of 260-nm absorbing material and beta-galactosidase from the spheroplasts, and by increased permeability of cryptic cells to O-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside; damage to the cell wall was measured by release of alkaline phosphatase. Microscope observation showed morphological changes in the cell envelope.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

K88-mediated binding of Escherichia coli outer membrane fragments to porcine intestinal epithelial cell brush borders.

We have examined the interactions between various radiolabeled membrane fractions obtained from an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain and brush borders isolated from porcine intestinal epithelial cells. Outer membrane fragments containing the K88 attachment factor bound tightly to brush borders, whereas cytoplasmic membrane vesicles did not. Three different types of outer membrane preparations were tested: (i) cellular outer membranes isolated from lysozyme spheroplasts, (ii) medium vesicles or outer membrane fragments released into the medium during growth, and (iii) periplasmic vesicles, or outer membrane fragments which were released from the cells during spheroplast formation and were therefore isolated in the periplasmic fraction. Of these fractions, which were heterogeneous, it was always the outer membrane subfraction which bound tightly to brush borders. This binding, which was K88 dependent, may have some physiological significance in view of the association between outer membrane fragments and enterotoxin. Thus, released outer membrane fragments equipped with attachment factors may function as enterotoxin carriers which increase the efficiency with which enterotoxin can be delivered to intestinal epithelial cells.

Animals↗