Name: using the overlay assay to qualitatively measure bacterial production of and sensitivity to pneumococcal bacteriocins
Uploaded: 2014-09-30T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 6 min 5 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins at JoVE.com

This work has been supported by Elizabeth E. Kennedy Research Award.

1 Preparação da Estirpe Produtor <ol><li> Streak uma cepa de pneumococo a ser testado para a produção de bacteriocina em sangue de carneiro soja tríptica placa de ágar de 5% a partir de -80 ° C stocks congelador. NOTA: A utilização de placas de sangue para o crescimento inicial da estirpe para ser testado para a inibição aumenta enormemente a reprodutibilidade do ensaio. Além disso, outras estirpes não pneumococos que produzem bacteriocinas pode ser usada, embora as condições de crescimento podem ter de ser modificados para um organismo específico. Usámos o Streptococcus mitis e Lactococcus lactis no ensaio de sobreposição com sucesso. </li><li> Incubar a placa durante a noite (O / N) a 37 ° C com 5% de CO 2. </li><li> Após a incubação da estirpe produtora, preparar a placa de agar de tripticase de soja (TSA), pipetando 3000 a 4000 unidades de catalase em placas contendo 25 mL de TSA e espalhar a solução de catalase usando esferas de vidro estéreis. Deixe a placa secar durante cerca de 10 minutos, sobuma cabine de segurança biológica. </li><li> Colete uma quantidade visível de bactérias em uma ponta da pipeta. Esfaquear a ponta da pipeta na placa de TSA seco. NOTA: Mais de uma cepa produtora pode ser esfaqueado em uma única placa de TSA. É importante para o espaço fora dos golpes de modo que halos resultantes não se sobreponham. <ol><li> Se possível, incluem os conhecidos produtor de bacteriocina, como um controlo positivo e a estirpe para ser usado na camada como um controlo negativo. NOTA: Os controlos positivos e negativos são têm sido publicados anteriormente e estão disponíveis mediante solicitação 10. </li></ol></li><li> Incubar a placa de TSA contendo múltiplos golpes, a 37 ° C com 5% de CO 2 durante 6 horas. </li></ol> 2. Fazer Stocks glicerol da estirpe Overlay <ol><li> Preparar stocks de glicerol (culturas crescidas até à fase semi-exponencial e em seguida armazenadas a -80 ° C após a adição de glicerol) antes do dia do ensaio de sobreposição. Inocular 5-10 colônias de str pneumocócicaain a ser testada para a sensibilidade ou a secreção de feromonas em meio Todd-Hewitt com extracto de levedura 0,5% (THY). NOTA: Construção de BLPC repórteres induzíveis foi previamente descrito 2 e cepas estão disponíveis mediante solicitação. </li><li> Incubar 5-10 colônias em tubos de vidro com 5 ml de THY com tampas hermeticamente fechado em C banho de água 37 °, sem tremer. </li><li> Incubar as culturas a 37 ° C até atingir uma OD 620 de 0,3 a 0,5. NOTA: Isso levará cerca de 4-5 horas, dependendo da estirpe utilizada. <ol><li> Inverta suavemente o tubo algumas vezes antes de medir o OD. </li></ol></li><li> Se a experiência não pode ser realizada no mesmo dia ou a tensão irá ser usado várias vezes no futuro, fazer stocks de glicerol e retomar o experimento em data posterior. Para as unidades populacionais de glicerol, glicerol adicionar às culturas a uma concentração final de 20%. Culturas Alíquota em 1,5 ml tubos de microcentrífuga e armazenar a -80 ° C. NOTA: As amostras podem ser stored para meses a -80 ° C. Se não fazer estoques de glicerol, utilize amostras diretamente para o ensaio de sobreposição. </li></ol> 3. Assay Overlay <ol><li> Pouco antes de sobrepor aplicação, misturar os componentes de sobreposição. Em um tubo de 15 ml, adicionar 5 ml de THY, 3000-4000 U de catalase, e 200 mL do caldo de cultura sobreposição de tensão que tanto cresceu naquele dia ou um estoque de glicerol da cultura que foi descongelado à temperatura ambiente. Se utilizar a estirpe repórter, adicionar 50 ul de X-gal (40 mg / ml) para a mistura de sobreposição. Use um tubo cônico por placa. </li><li> Equilibrar mistura de sobreposição à temperatura ambiente antes da adição de TSA fundido. </li><li> Retire a placa de TSA com tensão esfaqueado por incubadora. Derreta TSA sólido em microondas e manter a 55 ° C banho-maria até que esteja pronto para uso. Adicione 3 mL de TSA fundido com 1,5% de agar arrefecida a 55 ° C para se sobrepor mistura. <ol><li> Preparar a mistura de revestimento imediatamente antes de pipetar, a mistura começa a solidificar muitorapidamente. NOTA: Se a máscara começa a solidificar antes de chapeamento, os resultados serão uninterpretable. </li></ol></li><li> Misturar a mistura de sobreposição por pipetagem para cima e para baixo várias vezes com 5 ml de uma pipeta tendo o cuidado de não introduzir bolhas na mistura. Lentamente pipeta mistura sobreposição diretamente sobre a placa de TSA esfaqueado. Manter a placa na bancada durante alguns minutos, permitindo que o agar endurecer. <ol><li> Não rode a placa para distribuir a mistura de sobreposição, isso vai puxar o crescimento da cultura esfaqueado na sobreposição. </li></ol></li><li> Coloque cuidadosamente placa de TSA com sobreposição em 37 ° C incubadora contendo 5% de CO 2 O / N (cerca de 16-18 h). </li><li> Observar as placas após o crescimento durante a noite. As placas devem aparecer opaco do crescimento da sobreposição de tensão, exceto em áreas onde tenha ocorrido inibição ou feromônio sinalização. Estes aparecem como zonas ou claros ou azuis ao redor da cepa esfaqueado, respectivamente. NOTA: Embora measurements do diâmetro da clareira azul ou pode ser determinada por avaliação quantitativa, as diferenças no diâmetro pode também variar dependendo da quantidade de bactérias que foi rapidamente na placa. O ensaio de sobreposição é um ensaio qualitativo, qualquer avaliação quantitativa devem ser interpretados com cautela. Qualquer compensação visível em comparação com o controlo negativo é considerado como actividade. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Dawid, S., Roche, A. M., Weiser, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+blp+bacteriocins+of+Streptococcus+pneumoniae+mediate+intraspecies+competition+both+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">The blp bacteriocins of Streptococcus pneumoniae mediate intraspecies competition both in vitro and in vivo.</a> Infect Immun. 75 (1), 443-451 (2007).</li><li>Sawa, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+characterization+of+enterocin+W,+a+novel+two-peptide+lantibiotic+produced+by+Enterococcus+faecalis+NKR-4-1.">Isolation and characterization of enterocin W, a novel two-peptide lantibiotic produced by Enterococcus faecalis NKR-4-1.</a> Appl Environ Microbiol. 78 (3), 900-903 (2012).</li><li>Kochan, T. J., Dawid, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+HtrA+protease+of+Streptococcus+pneumoniae+controls+density-dependent+stimulation+of+the+bacteriocin+blp+locus+via+disruption+of+pheromone+secretion.">The HtrA protease of Streptococcus pneumoniae controls density-dependent stimulation of the bacteriocin blp locus via disruption of pheromone secretion.</a> J Bacteriol. 195 (7), 1561-1572 (2013).</li><li>Lux, T., Nuhn, M., Hakenbeck, R., Reichmann, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diversity+of+bacteriocins+and+activity+spectrum+in+Streptococcus+pneumoniae.">Diversity of bacteriocins and activity spectrum in Streptococcus pneumoniae.</a> J Bacteriol. 189 (21), 7741-7751 (2007).</li><li>Reichmann, P., Hakenbeck, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelic+variation+in+a+peptide-inducible+two-component+system+of+Streptococcus+pneumoniae.">Allelic variation in a peptide-inducible two-component system of Streptococcus pneumoniae.</a> FEMS Microbiol Lett. 190 (2), 231-236 (2000).</li><li>Saizieu, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microarray-based+identification+of+a+novel+Streptococcus+pneumoniae+regulon+controlled+by+an+autoinduced+peptide.">Microarray-based identification of a novel Streptococcus pneumoniae regulon controlled by an autoinduced peptide.</a> J Bacteriol. 182 (17), 4696-4703 (2000).</li><li>Barbour, A., Philip, K., Muniandy, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enhanced+production,+purification,+characterization+and+mechanism+of+action+of+salivaricin+9+lantibiotic+produced+by+Streptococcus+salivarius+NU10.">Enhanced production, purification, characterization and mechanism of action of salivaricin 9 lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus salivarius NU10.</a> PLoS One. 8 (10), 77751 (2013).</li><li>Wladyka, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation,+biochemical+characterization,+and+cloning+of+a+bacteriocin+from+the+poultry-associated+Staphylococcus+aureus+strain+CH-91.">Isolation, biochemical characterization, and cloning of a bacteriocin from the poultry-associated Staphylococcus aureus strain CH-91.</a> Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 97 (16), 7229-7239 (2013).</li><li>Shea, E. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bactofencin+a,+a+new+type+of+cationic+bacteriocin+with+unusual+immunity.">Bactofencin a, a new type of cationic bacteriocin with unusual immunity.</a> 4 (6), 00498-00413 (2013).</li><li>Son, M. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conserved+mutations+in+the+pneumococcal+bacteriocin+transporter+gene,+blpA,+result+in+a+complex+population+consisting+of+producers+and+cheaters.">Conserved mutations in the pneumococcal bacteriocin transporter gene, blpA, result in a complex population consisting of producers and cheaters.</a> MBio. 2 (5), (2011).</li><li>Kochan, T. J., Dawid, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+HtrA+protease+of+Streptococcus+pneumoniae+controls+density-dependent+stimulation+of+the+bacteriocin+blp+locus+via+disruption+of+pheromone+secretion.">The HtrA protease of Streptococcus pneumoniae controls density-dependent stimulation of the bacteriocin blp locus via disruption of pheromone secretion.</a> J Bacteriol. 195, 1561-1572 (2013).</li><li>Widdick, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+and+engineering+of+the+cinnamycin+biosynthetic+gene+cluster+from+Streptomyces+cinnamoneus+cinnamoneus+DSM+40005.">Cloning and engineering of the cinnamycin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces cinnamoneus cinnamoneus DSM 40005.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 100 (7), 4316-4321 (2003).</li><li>Begley, M., Cotter, P. D., Hill, C., Ross, R. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+novel+two-peptide+lantibiotic,+lichenicidin,+following+rational+genome+mining+for+LanM+proteins.">Identification of a novel two-peptide lantibiotic, lichenicidin, following rational genome mining for LanM proteins.</a> Appl Environ Microbiol. 75 (17), 5451-5460 (2009).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Este ensaio sobreposição é uma maneira rápida para determinar o leque de actividades para os produtores de bacteriocinas e demonstrar interações competitivas que podem ocorrer entre cepas de pneumococo. O ensaio de sobreposição pode ser adaptado para ser usado para o rastreio de várias estirpes de produção de bacteriocina, numa única placa. Temos rastreados com sucesso de grandes colecções de deformação com este ensaio, utilizando um replicador de 48 pinos para inocular placas de SBA de uma metade de uma...

Streptococcus pneumoniae, um colonizador comum da comunidade polimicrobiana da nasofaringe, é capaz de competir com outros pneumococos e espécies estreitamente relacionadas com a produção de peptídeos antimicrobianos produzidos por bactérias (bacteriocinas). Cada cepa de pneumococo totalmente sequenciado examinado até o momento contém uma versão do b acteriocin- l ike lócus p eptide, blp. Produção de bacteriocina por pneumococos foi demonstrada ser importante no resultado de estudos in vitro e in vivo em competição 1-4. Dinâmica competitiva são influenciados pela expressão de diversas proteínas de bacteriocinas, juntamente com imunidade cognatos em resposta a uma feromona de péptido específico. Indução do locus blp é controlada por um sistema de sensor de quorum na qual um péptido de feromonas, BLPC, liga-se ao sensor de quinase, BlpH, e inicia uma cascata de sinalização que resulta em otranscrição do locus de 5,6 blp. Existem quatro variantes alélicas BLPC que se ligam a cada um o seu cognato BlpH 6. Para a célula sobreviver os efeitos da sua própria bacteriocina, os genes que codificam as proteínas cognatas imunidade são transcritos no mesmo operão como cada um dos genes de bacteriocina. Matar ocorre se uma estirpe de competidor não é capaz de regular positivamente o locus blp em resposta a feromona exógena ou, se a estirpe não tem o gene da imunidade específica é necessária para a protecção. O complexo transportador, BlpAB é necessário para a secreção e processamento do péptido de feromona e dos péptidos de bacteriocina 2,4. Recentemente, tem sido demonstrado que uma proporção significativa de cepas de pneumococo são &quot;trapaceiros&quot;, que significa que eles têm uma mutação no gene conservado BLPA que os torna incapazes de secretar feromônios e bacteriocinas 1,2. Essas cepas são capazes de responder a BLPC exógena 2 secretado pelo relincharestirpes chatas que permitem a produção de proteínas de imunidade. Embora, preparações cruas de bacteriocinas de sobrenadantes podem ser preparados a partir de estirpes produtoras utilizando métodos bioquímicos passos para alcançar a pureza, esta abordagem não é útil para o rastreio de grandes colecções de isolados e, se o nível de expressão é baixo bacteriocina em caldo de culturas cultivadas 2,7- 9. O ensaio de sobreposição é usada como uma forma rápida para investigar a dinâmica da concorrência entre as linhagens que podem existir in vitro. Para isso, uma estirpe de pneumococos é pré-inoculado em uma placa de agar e deixadas a crescer até atingir concentrações bacterianas locais suficientes para a indução do locus blp. Uma segunda estirpe é inoculada em seguida uma solução de agar mole fundido, que é então aplicada sobre a tensão pré-inoculado para testar a sensibilidade. Para avaliar a actividade do locus blp (independente da actividade inibidora), as estirpes podem ser cobertos com uma série de three linhagens descritas anteriormente repórter BLPC. Essas linhagens foram construídos para conter um dos três alelos blpH diferentes que respondem a três feromônios BLPC mais comuns secretados pelo pneumococo. As estirpes de repórter tem um gene lacZ integrada, que está sob o controlo de um promotor dependente BlpH e transportar uma deleção no gene BLPC que impede a auto-estimulação 10,11.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Trypticase Soy Agar with 5% Sheep Blood</td><td>Fisher</td><td>B21261X</td><td>For growth from freezer cultures</td></tr><tr><td>Catalase</td><td>Sigma</td><td>C100-500mg</td><td>4,741 Units per plate</td></tr><tr><td>Todd Hewitt Broth + Yeast Extract (THY)</td><td>Fisher</td><td>DF0492-17-6&amp;nbsp;</td><td>30 g of THB, 5 g yeast extract, 1 L ddH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O autoclave</td></tr><tr><td>Trypticase Soy Broth + Agar plates (TSA)</td><td>Fisher</td><td>B11768&amp;nbsp;</td><td>30 g of TS, 15 g agar, 1 L ddH&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O autoclave</td></tr><tr><td>5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl &amp;beta;-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal)</td><td>Sigma</td><td>B4252-50MG</td><td>Dissolve in dimethylformamide</td></tr><tr><td>Petri dishes</td><td>Fisher</td><td>FB0875712</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Spectrophometer</td><td></td><td></td><td>Measures the OD&lt;sub&gt;620&lt;/sub&gt; of cultures</td></tr><tr><td>37 &amp;deg;C water bath</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>37 &amp;deg;C incubator with 5% CO2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>15 ml conical tube</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

using the overlay assay to qualitatively measure bacterial production of and sensitivity to pneumococcal bacteriocins

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the highly diverse polymicrobial community of the nasopharynx where it must compete with resident organisms. We have shown that bacterially produced antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins) dictate the outcome of these competitive interactions. All fully-sequenced pneumococcal strains harbor a bacteriocin-like peptide (blp) locus. The blp locus encodes for a range of diverse bacteriocins and all of the highly conserved components needed for their regulation, processing, and secretion. The diversity of the bacteriocins found in the bacteriocin immunity region (BIR) of the locus is a major contributor of pneumococcal competition. Along with the bacteriocins, immunity genes are found in the BIR and are needed to protect the producer cell from the effects of its own bacteriocin. The overlay assay is a quick method for examining a large number of strains for competitive interactions mediated by bacteriocins. The overlay assay also allows for the characterization of bacteriocin-specific immunity, and detection of secreted quorum sensing peptides. The assay is performed by pre-inoculating an agar plate with a strain to be tested for bacteriocin production followed by application of a soft agar overlay containing a strain to be tested for bacteriocin sensitivity. A zone of clearance surrounding the stab indicates that the overlay strain is sensitive to the bacteriocins produced by the pre-inoculated strain. If no zone of clearance is observed, either the overlay strain is immune to the bacteriocins being produced or the pre-inoculated strain does not produce bacteriocins. To determine if the blp locus is functional in a given strain, the overlay assay can be adapted to evaluate for peptide pheromone secretion by the pre-inoculated strain. In this case, a series of four lacZ-reporter strains with different pheromone specificity are used in the overlay.

Há dois resultados possíveis no ensaio de sobreposição. Deve ser possível ver o crescimento da estirpe esfaqueado após incubação durante a noite. Na Figura 1A, a sobreposição estirpe é sensível para as bacteriocinas que são produzidos. A zona livre pode ser visualizada em torno da tensão esfaqueado. Além disso, a roda da estirpe esfaqueado na mistura de revestimento é possível e pode ser visto na figura 1A. Na Figura 1B, a sobreposição estirpe é imun...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins at JoVE.com

Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins

Competition in Streptococcus pneumoniae is mediated by bacteriocins, small antimicrobial peptides with inhibitory activity towards pneumococcus and other related species.&#160; Here we describe an optimized bacterial overlay assay that allows for the characterization of bacteriocin activity and inhibitory spectrum, bacteriocin-specific immunity, and detection of secreted quorum sensing peptides.

Usando a sobreposição de ensaio para medir qualitativamente produção bacteriana e sensibilidade para pneumocócica Bacteriocinas

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the highly diverse polymicrobial community of the nasopharynx where it must compete with resident organisms.  We have ...

using-overlay-assay-to-qualitatively-measure-bacterial-production

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

13.5K visualizações.  University of Michigan. Competition in Streptococcus pneumoniae is mediated by bacteriocins, small antimicrobial peptides with inhibitory activity towards pneumococcus and other related species.  Here we describe an optimized bacterial overlay assay that allows for the characterization of bacteriocin activity and inhibitory spectrum, bacteriocin-specific immunity, and detection of secreted quorum sensing peptides. 

Vídeo: Using the Overlay Assay to Qualitatively Measure Bacterial Production of and Sensitivity to Pneumococcal Bacteriocins

A Visual Assay to Monitor T6SS-mediated Bacterial Competition

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are molecular nanomachines allowing Gram-negative bacteria to transport and inject proteins into a wide variety of target cells1,2. The T6SS is composed of 13 core components and displays structural similarities with the tail-tube of bacteriophages3. The phage uses a tube and a puncturing device to penetrate the cell envelope of target bacteria and inject DNA. It is proposed that the T6SS is an inverted bacteriophage device creating a specific path in the bacterial cell envelope to drive effectors and toxins to the surface. The process could be taken further and the T6SS device could perforate other cells with which the bacterium is in contact, thus injecting the effectors into these targets. The tail tube and puncturing device parts of the T6SS are made with Hcp and VgrG proteins, respectively4,5.
The versatility of the T6SS has been demonstrated through studies using various bacterial pathogens. The Vibrio cholerae T6SS can remodel the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic host cells by injecting an "evolved" VgrG carrying a C-terminal actin cross-linking domain6,7. Another striking example was recently documented using Pseudomonas aeruginosa which is able to target and kill bacteria in a T6SS-dependent manner, therefore promoting the establishment of bacteria in specific microbial niches and competitive environment8,9,10.
In the latter case, three T6SS-secreted proteins, namely Tse1, Tse2 and Tse3 have been identified as the toxins injected in the target bacteria (Figure 1). The donor cell is protected from the deleterious effect of these effectors via an anti-toxin mechanism, mediated by the Tsi1, Tsi2 and Tsi3 immunity proteins8,9,10. This antimicrobial activity can be monitored when T6SS-proficient bacteria are co-cultivated on solid surfaces in competition with other bacterial species or with T6SS-inactive bacteria of the same species8,11,12,13.
The data available emphasized a numerical approach to the bacterial competition assay, including time-consuming CFU counting that depends greatly on antibiotic makers. In the case of antibiotic resistant strains like P. aeruginosa, these methods can be inappropriate. Moreover, with the identification of about 200 different T6SS loci in more than 100 bacterial genomes14, a convenient screening tool is highly desirable. We developed an assay that is easy to use and requires standard laboratory material and reagents. The method offers a rapid and qualitative technique to monitor the T6SS-dependent bactericidal/bacteriostasis activity by using a reporter strain as a prey (in this case Escherichia coli DH5&alpha;) allowing a-complementation of the lacZ gene. Overall, this method is graphic and allows rapid identification of T6SS-related phenotypes on agar plates. This experimental protocol may be adapted to other strains or bacterial species taking into account specific conditions such as growth media, temperature or time of contact.

We describe a qualitative assay to monitor bacterial competition mediated by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type VI secretion system (T6SS). The assay relies on the survival/killing of Escherichia coli target cells carrying a lacZ-reporter. This technique is adjustable to assess the bactericidal/bacteriostasis activity of T6SS-proficient microorganisms.

Um Ensaio visual para o Monitor T6SS mediada Competição bacteriana

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are molecular  nanomachines allowing Gram-negative bacteria to transport and inject proteins  into a wide variety of ...

Imunologia e Infecção

Single Cell Measurements of Vacuolar Rupture Caused by Intracellular Pathogens

Shigella flexneri are pathogenic bacteria that invade host cells entering into an endocytic vacuole. Subsequently, the rupture of this membrane-enclosed compartment allows bacteria to move within the cytosol, proliferate and further invade neighboring cells. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is phagocytosed by immune cells, and has recently been shown to rupture phagosomal membrane in macrophages. We developed a robust assay for tracking phagosomal membrane disruption after host cell entry of Shigella flexneri or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The approach makes use of CCF4, a FRET reporter sensitive to &beta;-lactamase that equilibrates in the cytosol of host cells. Upon invasion of host cells by bacterial pathogens, the probe remains intact as long as the bacteria reside in membrane-enclosed compartments. After disruption of the vacuole, &beta;-lactamase activity on the surface of the intracellular pathogen cleaves CCF4 instantly leading to a loss of FRET signal and switching its emission spectrum. This robust ratiometric assay yields accurate information about the timing of vacuolar rupture induced by the invading bacteria, and it can be coupled to automated microscopy and image processing by specialized algorithms for the detection of the emission signals of the FRET donor and acceptor. Further, it allows investigating the dynamics of vacuolar disruption elicited by intracellular bacteria in real time in single cells. Finally, it is perfectly suited for high-throughput analysis with a spatio-temporal resolution exceeding previous methods. Here, we provide the experimental details of exemplary protocols for the CCF4 vacuolar rupture assay on HeLa cells and THP-1 macrophages for time-lapse experiments or end points experiments using Shigella flexneri as well as multiple mycobacterial strains such as Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

We describe a method for tracking the endomembrane rupture elicited by the intracellular bacteria Shigella flexneri and Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon host cell invasion. Our assay makes use of CCF4, a host cytoplasmic FRET probe in live or fixed cells. This reporter is degraded by an enzyme activity present on the bacterial surface.

Medidas de ruptura vacuolar única célula causadas por patógenos intracelulares

Shigella flexneri are pathogenic bacteria that invade host cells entering into an endocytic vacuole. Subsequently, the rupture of this membrane-enclosed ...

Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria

Many intracellular bacterial pathogens use freshwater protozoans as a natural reservoir for proliferation in the environment. Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' pneumonia, gains a pathogenic advantage over in vitro cultured bacteria when first harvested from protozoan cells prior to infection of mammalian macrophages. This suggests that important virulence factors may not be properly expressed in vitro. We have developed a tractable system for priming L. pneumophila through its natural protozoan host Acanthamoeba castellanii prior to mammalian cell infection. The contribution of any virulence factor can be examined by comparing intracellular growth of a mutant strain to wild-type bacteria after protozoan priming. GFP-expressing wild-type and mutant L. pneumophila strains are used to infect protozoan monolayers in a priming step and allowed to reach late stages of intracellular growth. Fluorescent bacteria are then harvested from these infected cells and normalized by spectrophotometry to generate comparable numbers of bacteria for a subsequent infection into mammalian macrophages. For quantification, live bacteria are monitored after infection using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and by colony plating. This technique highlights and relies on the contribution of host cell-dependent gene expression by mimicking the environment that would be encountered in a natural acquisition route. This approach can be modified to accommodate any bacterium that uses an intermediary host as a means for gaining a pathogenic advantage.

This technique provides a method to harvest, normalize and quantify intracellular growth of bacterial pathogens that are pre-cultivated in natural protozoan host cells prior to infections of mammalian cells. This method can be modified to accommodate a wide variety of host cells for the priming stage as well as target cell types.

Tratáveis ​​mamíferos Infecções celulares com Protozoário-condicionadas Bactérias

Many intracellular bacterial pathogens use freshwater protozoans as a natural reservoir for proliferation in the environment. Legionella pneumophila, the ...

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prerequisite to invasion to the lungs or bloodstream1. This organism is capable of colonizing the mucosal surface of the nasopharynx, where it can reside, multiply and eventually overcome host defences to invade to other tissues of the host. Establishment of an infection in the normally lower respiratory tract results in pneumonia. Alternatively, the bacteria can disseminate into the bloodstream causing bacteraemia, which is associated with high mortality rates2, or else lead directly to the development of pneumococcal meningitis. Understanding the kinetics of, and immune responses to, nasopharyngeal colonization is an important aspect of S. pneumoniae infection models.
Our mouse model of intranasal colonization is adapted from human models3 and has been used by multiple research groups in the study of host-pathogen responses in the nasopharynx4-7. In the first part of the model, we use a clinical isolate of S. pneumoniae to establish a self-limiting bacterial colonization that is similar to carriage events in human adults. The procedure detailed herein involves preparation of a bacterial inoculum, followed by the establishment of a colonization event through delivery of the inoculum via an intranasal route of administration. Resident macrophages are the predominant cell type in the nasopharynx during the steady state. Typically, there are few lymphocytes present in uninfected mice8, however mucosal colonization will lead to low- to high-grade inflammation (depending on the virulence of the bacterial species and strain) that will result in an immune response and the subsequent recruitment of host immune cells. These cells can be isolated by a lavage of the tracheal contents through the nares, and correlated to the density of colonization bacteria to better understand the kinetics of the infection.

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Colonization of the murine nasopharynx with Streptococcus pneumoniae and the subsequent extraction of adherent or recruited cells is described. This technique involves flushing the nasopharynx and collection of the fluid through the nares and is adaptable for various readouts, including differential cell quantification and analysis of mRNA expression in situ.

Caracterização de Respostas Inflamatórias Durante Colonização Intranasal com Streptococcus pneumoniae

Nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prerequisite to invasion to the lungs or bloodstream1. This organism is capable of colonizing ...

Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes

Membrane depolarization and ion fluxes are events that have been studied extensively in biological systems due to their ability to profoundly impact cellular functions, including energetics and signal transductions. While both fluorescent and electrophysiological methods, including electrode usage and patch-clamping, have been well developed for measuring these events in eukaryotic cells, methodology for measuring similar events in microorganisms have proven more challenging to develop given their small size in combination with the more complex outer surface of bacteria shielding the membrane. During our studies of death-initiation in Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), we wanted to elucidate the role of membrane events, including changes in polarity, integrity, and intracellular ion concentrations. Searching the literature, we found that very few studies exist. Other investigators had monitored radioisotope uptake or equilibrium to measure ion fluxes and membrane potential and a limited number of studies, mostly in Gram-negative organisms, had seen some success using carbocyanine or oxonol fluorescent dyes to measure membrane potential, or loading bacteria with cell-permeant acetoxymethyl (AM) ester versions of ion-sensitive fluorescent indicator dyes. We therefore established and optimized protocols for measuring membrane potential, rupture, and ion-transport in the Gram-positive organism S. pneumoniae. We developed protocols using the bis-oxonol dye DiBAC4(3) and the cell-impermeant dye propidium iodide to measure membrane depolarization and rupture, respectively, as well as methods to optimally load the pneumococci with the AM esters of the ratiometric dyes Fura-2, PBFI, and BCECF to detect changes in intracellular concentrations of Ca2+, K+, and H+, respectively, using a fluorescence-detection plate reader. These protocols are the first of their kind for the pneumococcus and the majority of these dyes have not been used in any other bacterial species. Though our protocols have been optimized for S. pneumoniae, we believe these approaches should form an excellent starting-point for similar studies in other bacterial species.

Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes

Unlike that seen for eukaryotes, there is a paucity of studies that detail membrane depolarization and ion concentration changes in bacteria, primarily as their small size makes conventional methods of measurement difficult. Here, we detail protocols for monitoring such events in the significant Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae utilizing fluorescence techniques.

Acompanhamento da evolução das Membrane Polaridade, integridade de membrana e intracelulares Ion concentrações no<em&gt; Streptococcus pneumoniae</em&gt; Usando corantes fluorescentes

Membrane depolarization and ion fluxes are events that have been studied extensively in biological systems due to their ability to profoundly impact ...

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) to the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx can result in colonization and is considered a prerequisite for pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia and otitis media. In vitro adherence assays can be used to study the attachment of pneumococci to epithelial cell monolayers and to investigate potential interventions, such as the use of probiotics, to inhibit pneumococcal&#160;colonization.&#160;The protocol described here is used to investigate the effects of the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius on the adherence of pneumococci to the human epithelial cell line CCL-23 (sometimes referred to as HEp-2 cells). The assay involves three main steps: 1) preparation of epithelial and bacterial cells, 2) addition of bacteria to epithelial cell monolayers, and 3) detection of adherent pneumococci by viable counts (serial dilution and plating) or quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). This technique is relatively straightforward and does not require specialized equipment other than a tissue culture setup. The assay can be used to test other probiotic species and/or potential inhibitors of pneumococcal colonization and can be easily modified to address other scientific questions regarding pneumococcal adherence and invasion.

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

In vitro adherence assays can be used to study the attachment of Streptococcus pneumoniae to epithelial cell monolayers and to investigate potential interventions such as the use of probiotics for inhibiting pneumococcal colonization.

Investigando os efeitos dos probióticos sobre pneumocócica Colonização Usando um<em&gt; In Vitro</em&gt; Adesão Assay

Adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) to the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx can result in colonization and is considered a ...

Biomimetic Materials to Characterize Bacteria-host Interactions

Bacterial attachment to host cells is one of the earliest events during bacterial colonization of host tissues and thus a key step during infection. The biochemical and functional characterization of adhesins mediating these initial bacteria-host interactions is often compromised by the presence of other bacterial factors, such as cell wall components or secreted molecules, which interfere with the analysis. This protocol describes the production and use of biomimetic materials, consisting of pure recombinant adhesins chemically coupled to commercially available, functionalized polystyrene beads, which have been used successfully to dissect the biochemical and functional interactions between individual bacterial adhesins and host cell receptors. Protocols for different coupling chemistries, allowing directional immobilization of recombinant adhesins on polymer scaffolds, and for assessment of the coupling efficiency of the resulting &#8220;bacteriomimetic&#8221; materials are also discussed. We further describe how these materials can be used as a tool to inhibit pathogen mediated cytotoxicity and discuss scope, limitations and further applications of this approach in studying bacterial - host interactions.

Bacterial attachment to host cells is a key step during host colonization and infection. This protocol describes the generation of polymer-coupled recombinant adhesins as biomimetic materials which allow analysis of the contribution of individual adhesins to these processes, independent of other bacterial factors.

Materiais biomiméticos para caracterizar as interações bactérias hospedeiras-

Bacterial attachment to host cells is one of the earliest events during bacterial colonization of host tissues and thus a key step during infection. The ...

Qualitative and Quantitative Assays for Detection and Characterization of Protein Antimicrobials

Initial evaluations of large microbial libraries for potential producers of novel antimicrobial proteins require both qualitative and quantitative methods to screen for target enzymes prior to investing greater research effort and resources. The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate two complementary assays for conducting these initial evaluations. The microslide diffusion assay provides an initial or simple detection screen to enable the qualitative and rapid assessment of proteolytic activity against an array of both viable and heat-killed bacterial target substrates. As a counterpart, the increased sensitivity and reproducibility of the dye-release assay provides a quantitative platform for evaluating and comparing environmental influences affecting the hydrolytic activity of protein antimicrobials. The ability to label specific heat-killed cell culture substrates with Remazol brilliant blue R dye expands this capability to tailor the dye-release assay to characterize enzymatic activity of interest.

Here, we present protocols to rapidly screen and characterize enzymes for antimicrobial activity. The microslide diffusion assay and the dye-release assay utilize target bacterial substrates for qualitative and quantitative enzymatic activity evaluation.

Qualitativos e quantitativos Os ensaios para a detecção e caracterização de antimicrobianos Proteína

Initial evaluations of large microbial libraries for potential producers of novel antimicrobial proteins require both qualitative and quantitative methods ...

Use of the Soft-agar Overlay Technique to Screen for Bacterially Produced Inhibitory Compounds

The soft-agar overlay technique was originally developed over 70 years ago and has been widely used in several areas of microbiological research, including work with bacteriophages and bacteriocins, proteinaceous antibacterial agents. This approach is relatively inexpensive, with minimal resource requirements. This technique consists of spotting supernatant from a donor strain (potentially harboring a toxic compound(s)) onto a solidified soft agar overlay that is seeded with a bacterial test strain (potentially sensitive to the toxic compound(s)). We utilized this technique to screen a library of Pseudomonas syringae strains for intraspecific killing. By combining this approach with a precipitation step and targeted gene deletions, multiple toxic compounds produced by the same strain can be differentiated. The two antagonistic agents commonly recovered using this technique are bacteriophages and bacteriocins. These two agents can be differentiated using two simple additional tests. Performing a serial dilution on a supernatant containing bacteriophage will result in individual plaques becoming less in number with greater dilution, whereas serial dilution of a supernatant containing bacteriocin will result a clearing zone that becomes uniformly more turbid with greater dilution. Additionally, a bacteriophage will produce a clearing zone when spotted onto a fresh soft agar overlay seeded with the same strain, whereas a bacteriocin will not produce a clearing zone when transferred to a fresh soft agar lawn, owing to the dilution of the bacteriocin.

We describe a simple method for screening bacterial cultures for the production of compounds inhibitory towards other bacteria.

Uso da técnica de sobreposição de Soft-agar para triagem de compostos inibidores produzida por bactérias

The soft-agar overlay technique was originally developed over 70 years ago and has been widely used in several areas of microbiological research, ...

Quantification of Interbacterial Competition using Single-Cell Fluorescence Imaging

Interbacterial competition can directly impact the structure and function of microbiomes. This work describes a fluorescence microscopy approach that can be used to visualize and quantify competitive interactions between different bacterial strains at the single-cell level. The protocol described here provides methods for advanced approaches in slide preparation on both upright and inverted epifluorescence microscopes, live-cell and time-lapse imaging techniques, and quantitative image analysis using the open-source software FIJI. The approach in this manuscript outlines the quantification of competitive interactions between symbiotic Vibrio fischeri populations by measuring the change in area over time for two coincubated strains that are expressing different fluorescent proteins from stable plasmids. Alternative methods are described for optimizing this protocol in bacterial model systems that require different growth conditions. Although the assay described here uses conditions optimized for V. fischeri, this approach is highly reproducible and can easily be adapted to study competition among culturable isolates from diverse microbiomes.

This manuscript describes a method for using single-cell fluorescence microscopy to visualize and quantify bacterial competition in coculture.

Quantificação da Competição Interbacteriana usando imagens de fluorescência unicelular

Interbacterial competition can directly impact the structure and function of microbiomes. This work describes a fluorescence microscopy approach that can ...

Usando a sobreposição de ensaio para medir qualitativamente produção bacteriana e sensibilidade para pneumocócica Bacteriocinas

Resumo

Explore mais vídeos

Capítulos neste vídeo

Um Ensaio visual para o Monitor T6SS mediada Competição bacteriana

Medidas de ruptura vacuolar única célula causadas por patógenos intracelulares

Tratáveis mamíferos Infecções celulares com Protozoário-condicionadas Bactérias

Caracterização de Respostas Inflamatórias Durante Colonização Intranasal com Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acompanhamento da evolução das Membrane Polaridade, integridade de membrana e intracelulares Ion concentrações no

Investigando os efeitos dos probióticos sobre pneumocócica Colonização Usando um

Materiais biomiméticos para caracterizar as interações bactérias hospedeiras-

Qualitativos e quantitativos Os ensaios para a detecção e caracterização de antimicrobianos Proteína

Uso da técnica de sobreposição de Soft-agar para triagem de compostos inibidores produzida por bactérias

Quantificação da Competição Interbacteriana usando imagens de fluorescência unicelular

Usando a sobreposição de ensaio para medir qualitativamente produção bacteriana e sensibilidade para pneumocócica Bacteriocinas

Resumo

Explore mais vídeos

Capítulos neste vídeo

Um Ensaio visual para o Monitor T6SS mediada Competição bacteriana

Medidas de ruptura vacuolar única célula causadas por patógenos intracelulares

Tratáveis ​​mamíferos Infecções celulares com Protozoário-condicionadas Bactérias

Caracterização de Respostas Inflamatórias Durante Colonização Intranasal com Streptococcus pneumoniae

Acompanhamento da evolução das Membrane Polaridade, integridade de membrana e intracelulares Ion concentrações no

Investigando os efeitos dos probióticos sobre pneumocócica Colonização Usando um

Materiais biomiméticos para caracterizar as interações bactérias hospedeiras-

Qualitativos e quantitativos Os ensaios para a detecção e caracterização de antimicrobianos Proteína

Uso da técnica de sobreposição de Soft-agar para triagem de compostos inibidores produzida por bactérias

Quantificação da Competição Interbacteriana usando imagens de fluorescência unicelular

Tratáveis mamíferos Infecções celulares com Protozoário-condicionadas Bactérias