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PubMed1988

Evolution of bacterial transformation: is sex with dead cells ever better than no sex at all?

Computer simulations of bacterial transformation are used to show that, under a wide range of biologically reasonable assumptions, transforming populations undergoing deleterious mutation and selection have a higher mean fitness at equilibrium than asexual populations. The source of transforming DNA, the amount of DNA taken up by each transforming cell, and the relationship between number of mutations and cell viability (the fitness function) are important factors. When the DNA source is living cells, transformation resembles meiotic sex. When the DNA source is cells killed by selection against mutations, transformation increases the average number of mutations per genome but can nevertheless increase the mean fitness of the population at equilibrium. In a model of regulated transformation, in which the most fit cells of a transforming population do not transform, transforming populations are always fitter at equilibrium than asexual populations. These results show that transformation can reduce mutation load.

Models, Biological↗
PubMed1982

Group H streptococcal bacteriocins having no relation to bacterial transformation.

The culture filtrate of group H streptococcus strain Challis produced a competence factor (CF) for bacterial transformation as well as a bactericidal factor(s) against Wicky cells. Strain 36658, in the same streptococcal group, also produced the bactericidal factor(s) but not CF. The effect of the Challis bacteriocin was limited to strains Wicky and 58, whereas the 36658 bacteriocin affected 67% of 49 strains tested. Strain 58, one of the indicator strains, was affected by the bactericidal activity of these bacteriocins but not by CF activity, and failed to transform. No relationship between the bacteriocin-producing strains and indicator strains was observed. Both Challis and 36658 bacteriocin activities decreased markedly either when the bacteriocins were heated at 50 C for 30 min or with the addition of a protein synthesis inhibitor, but showed different sensitivities to trypsin, papain and lipase. The bacteriocins were of at least protein nature and their molecular weight was roughly estimated as 100,000 daltons by membrane filtration experiments. The 36658 bacteriocin is a new type of streptocin previously not reported. The possible absence of bacteriophage or phage-like particles in the preparations is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Effects of polyamines and thiols on the radiation sensitivity of bacterial transforming DNA.

The effects of polyamines on the loss of biological activity of bacterial transforming DNA irradiated in the absence and presence of sulphydryl-containing compounds has been investigated. In both oxygenated and hypoxic conditions the polyamines (spermine, spermidine, putrescine and cadaverine) are radioprotectors with the degree of protection increasing with increasing polyamine concentration. When O2-saturated DNA solutions are irradiated, the degree of radioprotection by polyamines generally correlates with the efficiency of scavenging of OH. radicals. In N2 the protection does not show that correlation; several possible reasons are discussed. With the exception of spermine, the polyamines are slightly more protective of oxygenated DNA than of hypoxic DNA. When DNA is irradiated in the presence of both polyamines and thiols, the combined protection is usually greater than that exhibited by either agent alone. When irradiation is in oxygen, the combined agents appear to operate by the same mechanism, namely OH. radical scavenging. In N2-saturated solutions, polyamines and dithiothreitol appear to act by different, non-interacting mechanisms; however WR1065 and polyamines may radioprotect by the same mechanism. Also, the results suggest that polyamines may reduce the ability of some thiols to radioprotect DNA.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

Reversing methicillin resistance in MRSA using a bacterial transforming agent.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci remains a significant problem in the clinical management of infections. New therapeutic entities are required for the prophylaxis and treatment of staphylococcal infection including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Potential candidates include bacterial transforming agents (BTAs), compounds that can potentiate the activity of cell-wall-active antimicrobials by hypersensitizing the bacterial cell wall to the bactericidal effects of these drugs. BTAs have been found to inhibit MRSA in vitro when administered in combination with established antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: To examine the antimicrobial potential of a known BTA (BTA 19976a) on strains of MRSA in vitro. METHODS: Etest and time-kill methodologies were employed to assess the inhibitory potential of BTA at 10% w/v on strains of E-MRSA-3, E-MRSA-15 and E-MRSA-16. RESULTS: Etests demonstrated a reduction in the oxacillin MIC for E-MRSA-3, E-MRSA-15 and the NCTC 12493 reference strain of MRSA when exposed to BTA at 10% w/v. Time-kill assays similarly demonstrated a reduction in viable counts for organisms exposed to methicillin at 40 mg/L+BTA at 10% w/v, compared with methicillin alone, an effect which varied in cidality, pattern of killing and regrowth between strains. CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial effects of this BTA on MRSA are encouraging and warrant further investigation with large numbers of different epidemic strains and a comprehensive PK/PD evaluation. This could lead to new therapeutic entities for the prophylaxis and treatment of staphylococcal infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Coupled analysis of bacterial transformants and ligation mixture by duplex PCR enables detection of fatal instability of a nascent recombinant plasmid.

When a DNA cloning experiment fails, it is often difficult to distinguish between an inadequate cloning protocol and instability of the new recombinant plasmid. The identification of plasmid instability is particularly challenging when the instability is fatal and no DNA of the expected construct can be isolated. We have effectively addressed this problem by employment of duplex PCR (insert-insert, vector-insert) to analyse both the ligation mixture and the resultant bacterial transformants. Using this approach we found a fatal maintenance instability of one of the plasmids generated during subcloning of the cDNA for human LDLR in Escherichia coli STBL2. The described duplex PCR screening method allows monitoring of the fate of nascent recombinant plasmid from ligation, through the initial bacterial colony and the subsequent overnight culture.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1988

Strategies for the development of bacterial transformation systems.

An effective transformation system is a prerequisite for facile genetic manipulation of bacteria. Bacteria may be naturally competent for transformation or may be treated with various agents, such as Tris buffers or divalent metal ions, to induce competence. Transformation can also be accomplished by electroporation, or by fusion of protoplasts with PEG in the presence of transforming DNA. Unfortunately, the mechanism by which cells become permeable to DNA and the process by which DNA enters the cells is frequently unknown. In order to establish a transformation system for an untransformable bacterium, recipient strains and transforming DNA must be carefully selected. Since it is impossible to predict in advance which method of transformation will be successful with a particular bacterial strain, several techniques are usually evaluated. This review describes a number of factors that appear to be critical for developing a transformation system and presents a strategy for experimentation with novel bacteria.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2002

Transformed bacterial symbionts re-introduced to and detected in host gut.

Strains of Enterobacter agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Rhagoletis completa Cresson were engineered to express transgenic fluorescent proteins (ECFP, DsRed). These bacteria were introduced into flies by feeding the flies a sucrose solution in which the bacteria were suspended. The transgenic and heterologous marker protein was expressed and visible in the bacteria after they were ingested by WHF and while they were in the fly gut. We describe the plasmids used to transform these bacteria and demonstrate expression of heterologous proteins from the transforming plasmids and discuss the implications for future pest control strategies.

Animals↗