Observation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 using the Tokuyasu method

Some species of lactic acid bacteria used for the production of natural cheese produce exopolysaccharides (EPS). Electron microscopy is useful for analyzing the microstructure of EPS produced by lactic acid bacteria. However, pretreatments used to observe the microstructure of EPS by electron microscopy, such as dehydration and resin embedding, can result in EPS flowing out easily from the cell. Therefore, in this study, the Tokuyasu method was conducted on cryosection to reduce EPS outflow. Two types of observation method, namely, using lectin and ruthenium red, were conducted in an attempt to observe EPS produced by Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171. Observation using the lectin method confirmed that colloidal gold particles conjugated with a lectin recognizing β-galactoside were present in the capsule. Structures that appeared to be β-galactoside-containing slime polysaccharides that were released from the cell wall were also observed. Observation using ruthenium red showed that capsular polysaccharides (CPS) in the capsule were present as a net-like structure. Colloidal gold conjugation with an anti-β-lactoglobulin antibody, in addition to ruthenium red staining, allowed the identification of slime polysaccharides released from the cell wall in the milk protein network derived from the culture medium. Based on these results, the Tokuyasu method was considered to be a useful pretreatment method to clarify and observe the presence of EPS. In particular, both CPS in the capsule and slime exopolysaccharides released from the cell wall were visualized.

Inhibition and Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Biofilms by Selenium

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the efficacy of selenium (Se) in reduction of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis, inhibition of biofilm formation at 25 and 4°C on polystyrene surface, and inactivation of mature EHEC biofilms in combination with hot water. Sterile 96-well polystyrene plates inoculated with EHEC (∼6.0 log CFU per well) were treated with a subinhibitory concentration (SIC) of Se, and biofilms were allowed to mature at 4 and 25°C for 96 h. Biofilm-associated bacterial population was determined by scraping and plating, whereas the extent of EPS production was determined using ruthenium red staining assay. Solid surface assay was used to study the effect of Se on early attachment of EHEC cells to polystyrene. The efficacy of Se in rapid inactivation of preformed, mature EHEC biofilm was investigated by treating biofilms on polystyrene plates with the MBC of Se in combination with hot water at 80°C with a contact time of 0 min, 30 s, 2 min, and 5 min. Furthermore, the effect of Se on EHEC biofilm architecture was visualized using confocal microscopy, whereas the effect of Se on EHEC biofilm genes was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Finally, the potential feasibility of coating stainless steel surfaces with Se nanoparticles to inhibit EHEC biofilm formation was studied. Se reduced early attachment of planktonic cells, biofilm formation, and EPS synthesis in EHEC (P < 0.05). Se in combination with hot water reduced biofilm-associated bacterial counts by 3 to 4 log CFU/mL at 5 min of exposure compared with the control (P < 0.05). However, hot water treatment alone decreased biofilm-associated bacterial counts by only 1.0 log CFU/mL. RT-qPCR results revealed that Se down-regulated the transcription of critical genes associated with biofilm synthesis in EHEC (P < 0.05). The results collectively suggest that Se could potentially be used to control EHEC biofilms in food processing environments, but appropriate applications need to be validated.

Evidence for Mucin-Like Glycoproteins That Tether Sporozoites of Cryptosporidium parvum to the Inner Surface of the Oocyst Wall

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, which are spread by the fecal-oral route, have a single, multilayered wall that surrounds four sporozoites, the invasive form. The C. parvum oocyst wall is labeled by the Maclura pomifera agglutinin (MPA), which binds GalNAc, and the C. parvum wall contains at least two unique proteins ( C ryptosporidium oocyst wall protein 1 [COWP1] and COWP8) identified by monoclonal antibodies. C. parvum sporozoites have on their surface multiple mucin-like glycoproteins with Ser- and Thr-rich repeats (e.g., gp40 and gp900). Here we used ruthenium red staining and electron microscopy to demonstrate fibrils, which appear to attach or tether sporozoites to the inner surface of the C. parvum oocyst wall. When disconnected from the sporozoites, some of these fibrillar tethers appear to collapse into globules on the inner surface of oocyst walls. The most abundant proteins of purified oocyst walls, which are missing the tethers and outer veil, were COWP1, COWP6, and COWP8, while COWP2, COWP3, and COWP4 were present in trace amounts. In contrast, MPA affinity-purified glycoproteins from C. parvum oocysts, which are composed of walls and sporozoites, included previously identified mucin-like glycoproteins, a GalNAc-binding lectin, a Ser protease inhibitor, and several novel glycoproteins (C. parvum MPA affinity-purified glycoprotein 1 [CpMPA1] to CpMPA4). By immunoelectron microscopy (immuno-EM), we localized mucin-like glycoproteins (gp40 and gp900) to the ruthenium red-stained fibrils on the inner surface wall of oocysts, while antibodies to the O-linked GalNAc on glycoproteins were localized to the globules. These results suggest that mucin-like glycoproteins, which are associated with the sporozoite surface, may contribute to fibrils and/or globules that tether sporozoites to the inner surface of oocyst walls.

Structure, properties and enhanced expression of galactose-binding C-type lectins in mucous cells of gills from freshwater Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica)

Using a Japanese-eel (Anguilla japonica) gill cDNA subtraction library, two novel β-d-galactose-binding lectins were identified that belong to group VII of the animal C-type lectin family. The eel C-type lectins, termed eCL-1 and eCL-2, are simple lectins composed of 163 amino acid residues, including a 22-residue signal peptide for secretion and a single carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of ∼ 130 residues typical of C-type lectins. The galactose specificity of the CRD was suggested by the presence of a QPD motif and confirmed by a competitive binding assay. Using Ruthenium Red staining, the lectins were shown to bind Ca2+ ions. SDS/PAGE showed that native eCL-1 and eCL-2have an SDS-resistant octameric structure (a tetramer of disulphide-linked dimers). Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated high-level expression of eCL-1 and eCL-2 mRNAs and their protein products in gills from freshwater eels, which decreased markedly when the eels were transferred from freshwater to seawater. Immunohistochemistry showed that the eel lectins are localized in the exocrine mucous cells of the gill.

Characterization of an Immunogenic Glycocalyx on the Surfaces of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts and Sporozoites

ABSTRACT Ruthenium red staining of Cryptosporidium parvumoocysts revealed the presence of a carbohydrate matrix on their outer bilayers that is characteristic of a glycocalyx. Surface labeling of intact oocysts identified material of high molecular weight (>106) that reacted positively with sera from cryptosporidium-infected patients and with immunoglobulin A monoclonal antibodies.

Glycoconjugate and lipid components ofRhizobium"hedysari" IS123, a root-nodule symbiont of the stress-tolerant legumeHedysarum coronarium

We have examined the diversity of glycoconjugates and cellular lipids of Rhizobium "hedysari" IS123, a bacterial symbiont that specifically nodulates the drought-tolerant forage legume Hedysarum coronarium. IS123 develops a complete capsule consisting of a loose fibrillar network of ruthenium-red-staining acidic polymers and produces two different exopolysaccharides (EPS). EPS-A contains glucose, galactose, mannose, and a noncarbohydrate substitution tentatively identified as a lactyl ester. The composition of EPS-B, which includes glucose and galactose, as well as O-acetyl, pyruvyl, and succinyl substituents, is very similar to that of the EPS-II described in Rhizobium meliloti. IS123 also makes an O-acetylated heterooligosaccharide and unsubstituted β-1,2-glucans. The cellular fatty acid composition of IS123 is dominated by 18:1 and also includes 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 3OH-16:0, 17:0Δ, 18:0, 3OH-18:0, and 19:0Δ. Phospholipids of IS123 include phosphatidylethanolamine, N-methyl phosphatidylethanolamine, N,N-dimethyl phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylglycerol.Key words: Rhizobium, capsule, exopolysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lipids.

Sequestration of acetylated LDL and cholesterol crystals by human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Monocyte-derived macrophages accumulate and process cholesterol in atherosclerotic lesions. Because of the importance of this process, we examined the interaction of cholesterol crystals and acetylated low density lipoprotein (AcLDL) with human monocyte-macrophages in a combined chemical and morphological study. These two forms of cholesterol induced extensive compartmentalization of the macrophage cytoplasm. Unexpectedly, the compartments maintained a physical connection to the extracellular space as demonstrated with ruthenium red staining. The compartments formed through invagination of the top surface of the macrophage plasma membrane. Some cholesterol crystals and AcLDL were sequestered within these surface-connected compartments for up to five days in the case of the crystals and for one day in the case of AcLDL. Pulse-chase studies of fractionated macrophages indicated that [3H]cholesterol redistributed from the surface-connected compartments into lysosomes (where the cholesterol remained unesterified) and into lipid droplets (where the cholesterol was stored as cholesteryl ester). Intracellular uptake and esterification of cholesterol was blocked by cytochalasin D. However, once cholesterol was sequestered in the surface-connected compartments, subsequent esterification of the cholesterol could not be inhibited by cytochalasin D. Apolipoprotein E was localized within the surface-connected compartments by immunogold labeling suggesting a possible function for this protein in the processing of lipid taken up through the sequestration pathway. Removal of microcrystalline cholesterol from the medium resulted in release of most of the accumulated cholesterol microcrystals from the macrophages, as well as disappearance of the surface-connected compartments. Thus, sequestration is a novel endocytic mechanism in which endocytic compartments remain connected to the extracellular space. This differs from phagocytosis where endocytic vacuoles rapidly pinch off from the plasma membrane. Sequestration provides a means for macrophages to remove substances from the extracellular space and later release them.