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Genetics and Molecular BiologyPhysiological and Transcriptional Responses of Candida parapsilosis to Exogenous TyrosolCandida-secreted quorum-sensing molecules (i.e., farnesol and tyrosol) are key regulators in fungal physiology, which induce phenotypic adaptations, including morphological changes, altered biofilm formation, and synchronized expression of virulence factors. Moreover, they have a remarkable antifungal activity at supraphysiological concentrations. Limited data are available concerning the tyrosol-induced molecular and...
Environmental MicrobiologyHigh-Level Abundances of Methanobacteriales and Syntrophobacterales May Help To Prevent Corrosion of Metal Sheet PilesIron sheet piles are widely used to reinforce dikes and river banks. Damage due to iron corrosion poses a significant safety risk and has significant economic impact. Different groups of microorganisms are known to either stimulate or inhibit the corrosion process. Recently, natural corrosion-protective deposit layers were found on sheet piles. Analyses of the microbial composition indicated a potential role for methane-producing...
Enzymology and Protein EngineeringTat-Dependent Heterologous Secretion of Recombinant Tyrosinase by Pseudomonas fluorescens Is Aided by a Translationally Fused Caddie ProteinWe observed that the S. antibioticus extracellular tyrosinase secretion level was even higher in its nonnatural translationally conjugated fusion protein form than in the natural complex of two separated polypeptides. The results of this study demonstrate that tyrosinase-expressing P. fluorescens can be a stable source of bacterial tyrosinase through...
Environmental MicrobiologyMembrane Lipid Composition of the Moderately Thermophilic Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon “Candidatus Nitrosotenuis uzonensis” at Different Growth TemperaturesFor Thaumarchaeota, the ratio of their glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids depends on growth temperature, a premise that forms the basis of the widely applied TEX86 paleotemperature proxy. A thorough understanding of which GDGTs are produced by which Thaumarchaeota and what the effect of temperature is on their GDGT composition is essential for constraining the TEX86 proxy. “Ca...
Environmental MicrobiologyThe ADEP Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Streptomyces hawaiiensis NRRL 15010 Reveals an Accessory clpP Gene as a Novel Antibiotic Resistance FactorAntibiotic acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) represent a promising new class of potent antibiotics and, at the same time, are valuable tools to study the molecular functioning of their target, ClpP, the proteolytic core of the bacterial caseinolytic protease. Here, we present a straightforward purification procedure for ADEP1 that yields substantial amounts of the pure compound in a time- and cost-efficient manner, which is a prerequisite to...
Genetics and Molecular BiologyTranscription of the Subtilase Cytotoxin Gene subAB1 in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Is Dependent on hfq and hnsShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are responsible for outbreaks of foodborne diseases, such as hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic uremic syndrome. The pathogenicity of those strains can be attributed to, among other factors, the production of toxins. Recently, the subtilase cytotoxin was detected in locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-negative...
Food MicrobiologyBiocide-Tolerant Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from German Food Production Plants Do Not Show Cross-Resistance to Clinically Relevant AntibioticsFoodborne pathogens such as L. monocytogenes can persist in food production environments for a long time, causing perennial outbreaks. Hence, bacterial pathogens are able to survive cleaning and disinfection procedures. Accordingly, they may be repeatedly exposed to sublethal concentrations of disinfectants, which might result in bacterial adaptation to these biocides...
Food MicrobiologyComplementary Antibacterial Effects of Bacteriocins and Organic Acids as Revealed by Comparative Analysis of Carnobacterium spp. from MeatThe results of this study demonstrated that both bacteriocins and organic acids are important factors contributing to the antibacterial activities of Carnobacterium from vacuum-packaged (VP) meats. This study demonstrated that formate and acetate are the key organic acids produced by Carnobacterium and demonstrated their association with the inhibitory activity of carnobacteria under VP meat-relevant storage conditions...
BiodegradationSteroid Degradation in Comamonas testosteroni TA441: Identification of the Entire β-Oxidation Cycle of the Cleaved B RingStudies on bacterial steroid degradation were initiated more than 50 years ago primarily to obtain materials for steroid drugs. Steroid-degrading bacteria are globally distributed, and the role of bacterial steroid degradation in the environment as well as in relation to human health is attracting attention. The overall aerobic degradation of the four basic steroidal rings has been proposed; however, there is still much to be revealed...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyToxoplasma gondii Oocyst Infectivity Assessed Using a Sporocyst-Based Cell Culture Assay Combined with Quantitative PCR for Environmental ApplicationsThe ubiquitous protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is the subject of renewed interest due to the spread of oocysts in water and food causing endemic and epidemic outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals worldwide. Displaying a sensitivity close to animal models, cell culture represents a real alternative to assess the infectivity of oocysts in water and in biological...