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Antimicrobial protein produced by vaginal Lactobacillus acidophilus that inhibits Gardnerella vaginalis.

OBJECTIVE: To isolate bacteriocin from a vaginal strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus. METHODS: L. acidophilus 160 was grown on two media. The first was MRS broth for 18 hours; the cells were harvested, washed, and placed into a chemically defined medium. The second medium resembled vaginal fluid minus protein. Bacteriocin was precipitated from both media using ammonium sulfate. The growth-inhibiting activity of bacteriocin was determined by a bioassay using nine different isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis. RESULTS: MRS broth is not a suitable medium for extracting bacteriocin, because it binds with Tween 80. Bacteriocin was isolated, without contaminating constituents, from chemically defined medium and identified as a single band by electrophoresis. Bacteriocin has a molecular weight of 3.8 kDa. All nine isolates of Gardnerella were inhibited by the bacteriocin isolated from L. acidophilus 160. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteriocin produced by L. acidophilus 160 was isolated from the chemically defined medium (starvation medium) in a partially pure form. L. acidophilus 160 bacteriocin inhibited growth of all nine isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Global analysis of carbohydrate utilization by Lactobacillus acidophilus using cDNA microarrays.

The transport and catabolic machinery involved in carbohydrate utilization by Lactobacillus acidophilus was characterized genetically by using whole-genome cDNA microarrays. Global transcriptional profiles were determined for growth on glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, galactose, trehalose, raffinose, and fructooligosaccharides. Hybridizations were carried out by using a round-robin design, and microarray data were analyzed with a two-stage mixed model ANOVA. Differentially expressed genes were visualized by hierarchical clustering, volcano plots, and contour plots. Overall, only 63 genes (3% of the genome) showed a >4-fold induction. Specifically, transporters of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar transferase system were identified for uptake of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and trehalose, whereas ATP-binding cassette transporters were identified for uptake of raffinose and fructooligosaccharides. A member of the LacS subfamily of galactoside-pentose hexuronide translocators was identified for uptake of galactose and lactose. Saccharolytic enzymes likely involved in the metabolism of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides into substrates of glycolysis were also found, including enzymatic machinery of the Leloir pathway. The transcriptome appeared to be regulated by carbon catabolite repression. Although substrate-specific carbohydrate transporters and hydrolases were regulated at the transcriptional level, genes encoding regulatory proteins CcpA, Hpr, HprK/P, and EI were consistently highly expressed. Genes central to glycolysis were among the most highly expressed in the genome. Collectively, microarray data revealed that coordinated and regulated transcription of genes involved in sugar uptake and metabolism is based on the specific carbohydrate provided. L. acidophilus's adaptability to environmental conditions likely contributes to its competitive ability for limited carbohydrate sources available in the human gastrointestinal tract.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Variable response to exogenous Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM consumed in different delivery vehicles.

AIMS: To study the effects of the delivery vehicle for Lactobacillus acidophilus on the human faecal microbiota. Our hypotheses were that (i) the delivery vehicle would influence faecal lactobacilli numbers and (ii) consumption of Lact. acidophilus would influence the populations of Bifidobacterium and hydrogen sulphide-producing bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten subjects each received Lact. acidophilus with skim milk or water. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and hydrogen sulphide-producing bacterial populations were analysed before, during and after each treatment. Regardless of the vehicle, faecal lactobacilli populations changed during treatment. Bifidobacteria and the hydrogen sulphide-producing bacteria underwent no statistically significant population changes. Intra- and intersubject variability was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The vehicle in which Lact. acidophilus was delivered did not influence faecal lactobacilli numbers. Consumption of Lact. acidophilus did not influence the populations of Bifidobacterium and hydrogen sulphide-producing bacteria. The lactobacilli populations of subjects were variable. The fed lactobacilli did not appear to colonize the gastrointestinal tract. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We provide evidence that (i) there was no collective advantage to using skim milk as a delivery vehicle vs water; (ii) exogenous Lact. acidophilus did not affect endogenous bifidobacteria or hydrogen sulphide-producing bacteria; (iii) data should be carefully examined before pooling for analysis and (iv) continuous feeding was required to maintain an elevated lactobacilli population.

Adult↗

Inhibition of Candida albicans by Lactobacillus acidophilus: evidence for the involvement of a peroxidase system.

A range of cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus was isolated from patients using oral, vaginal and endocervical swabs. These were investigated for their ability to (1) inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, and (2) generate peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide and hypothiocyanite. Inhibition of Candida albicans and hydrogen peroxide production was detected in nine out of twelve strains whereas peroxidase production was only detected in three out of twelve strains, all from oral swabs. Hypothiocyanite production was detected in two strains and it was only detected in these strains after growth in MRS medium in aerobic conditions.

Candida albicans↗

Purification and characterization of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin lactacin B.

Parameters for production and purification of a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus N2 are described. Production of lactacin B was pH dependent, with maximum activity detected in broth cultures maintained at pH 6. Lactacin B was purified by ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration, and successive gel filtrations in the presence of 8 M urea and then 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The molecular weight of lactacin B was ca. 6,000 to 6,500, and the purified compound showed maximum absorbance at 211 nm. The activity of purified lactacin B was bactericidal to sensitive cells and restricted to members of the family Lactobacilliaceae, L. leichmannii, L. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, and L. lactis. Characteristics identified for lactacin B indicated that it was a peptide and confirmed its identity as a bacteriocin.

Bacteria↗

Functional assignment by Chimera construction of the domain affecting heterotropic activation of deoxyadenosine kinase from Lactobacillus acidophilus R-26.

The heterodimeric subunits of deoxyadenosine kinase (dAK)-deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) from Lactobacillus acidophilus R-26 exhibit contrasting conformations manifested in the nearly unidirectional heterotropic activation of dAK when dGK binds deoxyguanosine. This is mediated, in part, by the conserved Ras switch I-like sequence (residues 153-161) [Guo et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 6890-6897]. In an attempt to identify domains differentiating the specificities of dAK and dGK, we constructed several chimeras splicing heterodimeric dAK within this region. In Chimera-III, dAK residues 120-170 were replaced by the homologous section of dGK. dAK activity was elevated 40%, but although it retained its original specificity and Km values, it could no longer be activated by deoxyguanosine. Moreover, both the activated dAK and the "dAK" of Chimera-III exhibited (i) an increased Ks for the leading substrate ATP-Mg2+, suggesting the formation of intermediate enzyme species along their respective kinetic pathways, and (ii) broadened and lower pH optima for the dAK activities. These observations further indicate the importance of dAK residues 120-170, including the Ras-like segment, in catalysis and heterotropic activation. The other conformational properties of dAK (e.g. self-inactivity and MgATP being the leading substrate) were unaltered by this substitution, thus localizing the responsible domains even further upstream.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Modification of intestinal colonization and translocation of Campylobacter jejuni by erythromycin and an extract of Lactobacillus acidophilus in axenic mice].

Erythromycin (15 mg) or lyophylized heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus (80 mg) were administered per os daily in germ-free mice infected at day O with 10(7)-10(8) Campylobacter jejuni per os. Bacterial colonization of intestine and bacterial translocation of C. jejuni toward mesenteric lymph nodes, blood and liver were then studied for 5 days. The results were compared with those from an infected untreated control group. Compared to the control group, the numbers of free and mucosa-associated bacteria decreased at day 5 in the erythromycin-treated group and the number of mucosa-associated bacteria was reduced from day 1 to day 5 in the Lactobacillus-treated group. Both treatments reduced the frequency of bacterial translocation toward mesenteric lymph nodes from day 1 to day 5. We concluded that both erythromycin and heat-killed L. acidophilus are effective in treating Campylobacter infection in mice, though probably through different mechanisms.

Animals↗

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus administration upon the survival of Salmonella in randomly selected human carriers.

The influence of Lactobacillus acidophilus in milk upon carrier time of Salmonella infected humans was compared to that in a similar population which received no acidophilus milk. The participants were 132 individuals between 3 and 73 years old of both sexes. Many were carriers of more than one infective agent. None were suffering from acute gastrointestinal symptoms nor receiving medication. The participants entered the study various times after diagnosis, and consumed acidophilus milk ad libitum continuously until 3 to 5 negative feces samples were obtained. The results were compared with a control population consisting of 160 individuals who consumed neither fermented milk products nor medication. The data show that consumption of greater than 500 ml acidophilus milk shortened the duration of the Salmonella carrier state.

Adolescent↗

Protein-mediated adhesion of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4 on human enterocyte and mucus-secreting cell lines in culture.

The adhesion of Lactobacillus acidophilus BG2FO4, a human stool isolate, to two human enterocytelike cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) and to the mucus secreted by a subpopulation of mucus-secreting HT29-MTX cells was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the bacteria interacted with the well-defined apical microvilli of Caco-2 cells without cell damage and with the mucus secreted by the subpopulation of HT29-MTX cells. The adhesion to Caco-2 cells did not require calcium and involved an adhesion-promoting factor that was present in the spent supernatant of L. acidophilus cultures. This factor promoted adhesion of poorly adhering human Lactobacillus casei GG but did not promote adhesion of L. casei CNRZ 387, a strain of dairy origin. The adherence components on the bacterial cells and in the spent supernatant were partially characterized. Carbohydrates on the bacterial cell wall appeared to be partly responsible for the interaction between the bacteria and the extracellular adhesion-promoting factor. The adhesion-promoting factor was proteinaceous, since trypsin treatment dramatically decreased the adhesion of the L. acidophilus strain. The adhesion-promoting factor may be an important component of Lactobacillus species that colonize the gastrointestinal tract.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Characterization and promoter selectivity of Lactobacillus acidophilus RNA polymerase.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase has been purified from gram-positive Lactobacillus acidophilus and found to be composed of 4 protein subunits, alpha, beta, beta', and sigma, with molecular weights of 40,000, 150,000, 135,000, and 45,000 kD, respectively, estimated on the basis of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme exhibits optimal activity in the presence of Mn2+, while Mg2+ shows only a slight effect. The L. acidophilus enzyme transcribes several Escherichia coli promoters examined so far, such as promoters of trp operon, lacUV5, and bla P3 from pBR322, whereas it lacks the ability to recognize bla P1 and tet P2 promoters from pBR322. Thus, the specificity of L. acidophilus RNA polymerase in recognizing the promoters is somehow different from that of the E. coli enzyme. By means of an in vitro transcription assay system for L. acidophilus RNA polymerase, 2 promoters have been identified in the DNA of an L. acidophilus cryptic plasmid (pRNL5). These promoters possess nucleotide sequences in the -10 region similar to the consensus sequence for the E. coli promoters.

Animals↗

Optimization of technical conditions for the transformation of Lactobacillus acidophilus strains by electroporation.

AIMS: To optimize the conditions for electroporating foreign plasmid DNA into Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121. METHODS AND RESULTS: The conditions of electroporation were optimized to improve the transformation efficiency. Plasmid pNZ123 containing multicloning site and chloramphenicol resistance was employed to construct a cloning vector. The optimum electroporation conditions for the maximum transformation efficiency were a pulse strength of 12.5 kV cm(-1), a pulse number of 10, a pulse interval of 500 ms, and pNZ123 plasmid DNA concentration of 25 ng microl(-1). Under the optimum conditions the transformation efficiency of L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 was 1.84 +/- 0.13 x 10(4) (+/- standard error of measurements) CFU per mug of plasmid DNA. Other strains of L. acidophilus showed transformation efficiencies ranging from 1.38 +/- 0.02 x 10(4) to 9.32 +/- 0.54 x 10(4) under these conditions. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) was successfully expressed and detected by fluorescence microscopy when the pKU::slpA-GFP, pNZ123 containing GFP gene, was transformed in L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 under the optimum conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that electrical parameters, antibiotic concentration, and host specificity play important roles to determine transformation efficiency of lactobacilli. The optimum conditions for the transformation of L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 may be applied to improve transformation efficiency of other lactobacilli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The optimized conditions for electrotransformation may provide a mean to improve the introduction of foreign DNA into L. acidophilus to be used as a vehicle for a heterologous protein expression.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Effects of Cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate on the adherence of Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus curtisii, and Lactobacillus acidophilus to vaginal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A decreased concentration or total disappearance of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the vagina constitutes a frequent observation in bacterial vaginosis. GOAL OF THE STUDY: Cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate has been evaluated in vitro to detect antiadhesive properties at subinhibitory concentrations for Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus curtisii to vaginal epithelial cells (VEC). STUDY DESIGN: Bacterial strains 14C- and or 3H-labeled were tested for adherence and competition to binding sites in VECs before and after treatment at sub-MIC with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate. RESULTS: In control tests of adherence, G. vaginalis and M. curtisii had their maximal adhesion at pH 5.4, L. acidophilus at pH 4.4. Preincubation of G. vaginalis and M. curtisii with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate 2.5 mg/mL (subinhibitory concentration) at pH 5.4 reduced adherence to VECs respectively by 48.3% and 34.1%. The same treatment of L. acidophilus showed no statistically significant difference. Treatment of VECs alone did not modify adherence. Competition tests between L. acidophilus and G. vaginalis and between L. acidophilus and M. curtisii showed that, in small quantities, L. acidophilus could compete with G. vaginalis and M. curtisii for binding sites in VECs at pH 4.4, when pretreated with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate. At a higher pH (4.8 and 5.4), L. acidophilus in higher quantities did not compete for binding sites occupied by G. vaginalis and M. curtisii. CONCLUSIONS: Cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate at subinhibitory concentrations modifies the adhesiveness of G. vaginalis and M. curtisii to VECs, reducing it by 48.3% and 34.1%, respectively. Adhesion of L. acidophilus to VECs is not impaired by pretreatment with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate at pH 4.4, even if they are in low number and compete for binding sites against pathogens. At higher pH levels, L. acidophilus did not compete for binding sites occupied by G. vaginalis and M. curtisii.

Adult↗

16S ribosomal DNA analysis of the faecal lactobacilli composition of human subjects consuming a probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the ability of exogenous Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFM to survive through the human gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, and to evaluate the selectivity of Rogosa SL medium for faecal lactobacilli. METHODS AND RESULTS: The composition of the faecal lactobacilli of 10 healthy subjects was monitored for two weeks prior to, two weeks during and two weeks after the administration of the Lact. acidophilus strain NCFM consumed with skim milk (daily dose 10(10) viable cells). Fresh faecal samples were collected, processed and cultured on Rogosa SL selective medium for lactobacilli enumeration. Colonies demonstrating various morphologies were identified and purified for 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis for speciation of colonial genotype. The species composition of cultivable faecal lactobacilli changed considerably during consumption of the strain NCFM. CONCLUSIONS: The probiotic Lact. acidophilus strain NCFM can survive through the human GI tract, but cannot colonize itself during the two-week consumption. Rogosa SL medium is selective for faecal lactobacilli. However, genetic analysis is required for colony speciation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is demonstrated that continuous consumption is necessary to maintain a high population of the probiotic strain, and that the Rogosa SL medium is reliable.

Adult↗

A polyphasic approach towards the identification of strains belonging to Lactobacillus acidophilus and related species.

A set of 98 strains belonging to nine species of the Lactobacillus acidophilus rRNA-group have been analysed by SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins, RAPD-PCR and AFLP with fluorescently labeled primers in order to find improved methods for their identification. Strains of the following phenotypically highly similar species were examined: L. acidophilus, L. amylovorus, L. crispatus, L. johnsonii, L. gasseri, L. gallinarum, L. helveticus, L. iners and L. amylolyticus. Although the majority of the species can be differentiated by SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins, the latter technique showed poor discrimination between L. gasseri and L. johnsonii strains and between some strains of L. amylovorus and L. gallinarum. However, this study shows that the RAPD-PCR (using at least 3 different primers followed by numerical analysis of the combined patterns) and AFLP are most suitable genomic fingerprinting techniques for the differentiation of all the species listed above, and that databases for identification can be constructed, particularly when commercially available molecular tool-kits are used. The separate species status of the recently described L. amylolyticus and L. iners was fully confirmed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Development of a chromosome-plasmid balanced lethal system for Lactobacillus acidophilus with thyA gene as selective marker.

A chromosome-plasmid balanced lethal gene delivery system for Lactobacillus acidophilus based on the thyA gene was developed. The selected L. acidophilus DOM La strain carries a mutated thyA gene and has an obligate requirement for thymidine. This strain can be used as a host for the constructed shuttle vector pFXL03, lacking antibiotic-resistant markers but having the wild-type thyA gene from L. casei which complements the thyA chromosomal mutation. The vector also contains the replicon region from plasmid pUC19 and that of the Lactococcus plasmid pWV01, which allows the transfer between Escherichia coli, L. casei and L. acidophilus. Eight unique restriction sites (i.e., PstI, HindIII, SphI, SalI, AccI, XbaI, KpnI and SacI) are available for cloning. After 40-time transfers in modified MRS medium, no plasmid loss was observed. The vector pFXL03 is potentially useful as a food-grade vaccine delivery system for L. acidophilus.

Drug Delivery Systems↗

Identification of the replication region of Lactobacillus acidophilus plasmid pLA103.

The structure of the region necessary for replication of the plasmid pLA103 from Lactobacillus acidophilus TK8912 has been characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that the replication region contained an open reading frame (OrfA) encoding a 282-amino acid peptide preceded by a 22-bp tandem repeat sequence region. The predicted OrfA protein showed homology to the replication protein of a plasmid from Pediococcus halophilus. The plasmid containing the repeat sequence region preceding OrfA was able to replicate in the Lactobacillus host when provided with OrfA in trans, suggesting that the repeat sequence region contains the origin sequence essential for the pLA103 replication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

16S ribosomal DNA terminal restriction fragment pattern analysis of bacterial communities in feces of rats fed Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM.

16S ribosomal DNA terminal restriction fragment patterns from rat fecal samples were analyzed to track the dynamics of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and discern bacterial populations that changed during feeding with NCFM. Lactobacillus johnsonii and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were tentatively identified as such bacterial populations. The presence of L. johnsonii was confirmed by isolation from feces.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Adhesion of Lactobacillus acidophilus to avian intestinal epithelial cells mediated by the crystalline bacterial cell surface layer (S-layer).

Lactobacillus acidophilus was isolated from washed and homogenized walls of the crop and caecum of an adult fowl. A strain that adhered well in the Fuller adhesion test was subcultured until colonies on Lactobacillus Selective agar changed from rough to smooth. This coincided with a change from aggregate to planktonic growth in liquid medium and a marked loss of ability to adhere. ultrastructure of cells from both types of culture was studied by electron microscopy. An S-layer formed the outermost part of the cell wall in the strongly-adherent strain, whereas this layer was covered with polymerized material or was absent in strains that lacked the ability to adhere, or those with reduced adherence.

Animals↗