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The transcriptional programme of Salmonella Typhimurium reveals a key role for tryptophan metabolism in biofilms

ABSTRACT: Background: Biofilm formation by Salmonella species enhances the capacity of these pathogenic bacteria to survive stresses that are commonly encountered within food processing and during host infection. The persistence of Salmonella within the food chain has become a major health concern, as biofilms can serve as a reservoir to contaminate food products. While the molecular mechanisms required for the survival of bacteria on surfaces are not fully understood, transcriptional studies of other bacteria have demonstrated that biofilm growth triggers the expression of specific sets of genes, compared with planktonic cells. Until now, most transcriptomic studies of Salmonella have focused on the effect of infection-relevant stressors on virulence and on comparing mutant and wild-type (WT). However little is known about the physiological responses taking place inside a Salmonella biofilm. Results: We have determined the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of biofilms of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We discovered that 124 of detectable proteins were differentially expressed in the biofilm compared with planktonic cells, and that 10% (433 genes) of S. Typhimurium genes showed a biofilm-specific pattern of transcription (i.e. a 2-fold or more change in the biofilm compared with planktonic cells). The genes that were significantly up-regulated implicated specific cellular processes in biofilm development including amino acid metabolism, cell motility, global regulation and tolerance to stress. We found that the most highly down-regulated genes in the biofilm were located on Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2), but that a functional SPI2 secretion system regulator (ssrA) was required for WT biofilm formation. We identified STM0341 as a gene of unknown function that was needed for WT biofilm growth. Genes involved in tryptophan (trp) biosynthesis and transport were up-regulated in the biofilm. Deletion of trpE led to a decrease in bacterial attachment and we show that this biofilm defect is restored by exogenous tryptophan or indole. Conclusion: Biofilm growth of S. Typhimurium causes distinct changes in gene and protein expression. Our results show that aromatic amino acids make an important contribution to biofilm formation, and reveal that SPI2 genes, required for virulence in host cells, show opposing patterns of expression to biofilm-specific genes in S. Typhimurium.

ORGANISM(S): Salmonella enterica

PROVIDER: GSE17246 | GEO | 2009/12/14

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA118953

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Biofilm formation by Salmonella species enhances the capacity of these pathogenic bacteria to survive stresses that are commonly encountered within food processing and during host infection. The persistence of Salmonella within the food chain has become a major health concern, as biofilms can serve as a reservoir to contaminate food products. While the molecular mechanisms required for the survival of bacteria on surfaces are not fully understood, transcriptional studies of other bacteria have demonstrated that biofilm growth triggers the expression of specific sets of genes, compared with planktonic cells. Until now, most transcriptomic studies of Salmonella have focused on the effect of infection-relevant stressors on virulence and on comparing mutant and wild-type (WT). However little is known about the physiological responses taking place inside a Salmonella biofilm. Results: We have determined the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of biofilms of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We discovered that 124 of detectable proteins were differentially expressed in the biofilm compared with planktonic cells, and that 10% (433 genes) of S. Typhimurium genes showed a biofilm-specific pattern of transcription (i.e. a 2-fold or more change in the biofilm compared with planktonic cells). The genes that were significantly up-regulated implicated specific cellular processes in biofilm development including amino acid metabolism, cell motility, global regulation and tolerance to stress. We found that the most highly down-regulated genes in the biofilm were located on Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2), but that a functional SPI2 secretion system regulator (ssrA) was required for WT biofilm formation. We identified STM0341 as a gene of unknown function that was needed for WT biofilm growth. Genes involved in tryptophan (trp) biosynthesis and transport were up-regulated in the biofilm. Deletion of trpE led to a decrease in bacterial attachment and we show that this biofilm defect is restored by exogenous tryptophan or indole. Conclusion: Biofilm growth of S. Typhimurium causes distinct changes in gene and protein expression. Our results show that aromatic amino acids make an important contribution to biofilm formation, and reveal that SPI2 genes, required for virulence in host cells, show opposing patterns of expression to biofilm-specific genes in S. Typhimurium. Overnight cultures of SL1344 grown in CFA broth were standardized to achieve an initial concentration of 10^6 CFU ml-1 and injected into a stirring influent flask containing 5 L of pre-warmed (25C) sterile CFA medium. The inoculated influent was then pumped through silicon tubing (5 mm internal diameter, Samco Silicon Products Ltd.) at 60 ml h-1 using a peristaltic pump (Minipulse 3, Gilson). The bacteria were allowed to flow through the closed system and either attach to a vertical piece of silicon tubing (1 meter length, 16 mm internal diameter, Samco Silicon Products Ltd.) or flow out into a waste reservoir. The tubing was positioned vertically to collect biofilm cells adherent to the tubing and minimise collecting bacteria that had simply sedimented. Possible backflow of media or bacteria into the influent from the silicon tubing was eliminated using media breaks. Samples taken to determine the pH of the medium or bacterial cell counts were removed via a media port located near the effluent and influent vessel, respectively. Planktonic cells were removed after 72 h of growth from the influent vessel to avoid any contamination with biofilm cells. The entire system was kept at a constant temperature of 25C and biofilm cells were isolated after 72 h of growth. All planktonic and biofilm samples were isolated from the same experimental system and used for both RNA and protein isolation. For this study, four biological replicates were performed at four different dates (Jun25, Jul5, Jul16, Oct11; as indicated in the sample title). For the dual-colour microarray hybridisations, we used Salmonella genomic DNA as the comparator which also acted as the control for spot quality. Individual labelled cDNA samples (RNA) were hybridised up to 4 times (technical replicates).

Project description:Is there a universal genetically programmed defense providing tolerance to antibiotics when bacteria grow as biofilms? A comparison between biofilms of three different bacterial species by transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches uncovered no evidence of one. Single-species biofilms of three bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii) were grown in vitro for three days then challenged with respective antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, tigecycline) for an additional 24 h. All three microorganisms displayed reduced susceptibility in biofilms compared to planktonic cultures. Global transcriptomic profiling of gene expression comparing biofilm to planktonic and antibiotic-treated biofilm to untreated biofilm was performed. Extracellular metabolites including 18 amino acids, glucose, lactate, acetate, formate, and ethanol were measured to characterize the utilization of carbon sources between biofilms, treated biofilms, and planktonic cells. While all three bacteria exhibited a species-specific signature of stationary phase, no conserved gene, gene set, or common functional pathway could be identified that changed consistently across the three microorganisms. Across the three species, glucose consumption was increased in biofilms compared to planktonic cells and alanine and aspartic acid utilization were decreased in biofilms compared to planktonic cells. The reasons for these changes were not readily apparent in the transcriptomes. No common shift in the utilization pattern of carbon sources was discerned when comparing untreated to antibiotic-exposed biofilms. Overall, our measurements do not support the existence of a common genetic or biochemical basis for biofilm tolerance against antibiotics. Rather, there are likely myriad genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways that influence the physiological state of microorganisms in biofilms contributing to antibiotic tolerance. The Staphylococcus aureus microarray data from the study described above is deposited here.

Project description:Is there a universal genetically programmed defense providing tolerance to antibiotics when bacteria grow as biofilms? A comparison between biofilms of three different bacterial species by transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches uncovered no evidence of one. Single-species biofilms of three bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii) were grown in vitro for three days then challenged with respective antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, tigecycline) for an additional 24 h. All three microorganisms displayed reduced susceptibility in biofilms compared to planktonic cultures. Global transcriptomic profiling of gene expression comparing biofilm to planktonic and antibiotic-treated biofilm to untreated biofilm was performed. Extracellular metabolites including 18 amino acids, glucose, lactate, acetate, formate, and ethanol were measured to characterize the utilization of carbon sources between biofilms, treated biofilms, and planktonic cells. While all three bacteria exhibited a species-specific signature of stationary phase, no conserved gene, gene set, or common functional pathway could be identified that changed consistently across the three microorganisms. Across the three species, glucose consumption was increased in biofilms compared to planktonic cells and alanine and aspartic acid utilization were decreased in biofilms compared to planktonic cells. The reasons for these changes were not readily apparent in the transcriptomes. No common shift in the utilization pattern of carbon sources was discerned when comparing untreated to antibiotic-exposed biofilms. Overall, our measurements do not support the existence of a common genetic or biochemical basis for biofilm tolerance against antibiotics. Rather, there are likely myriad genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways that influence the physiological state of microorganisms in biofilms contributing to antibiotic tolerance. The Acinetobacter baumannii microarray data from the study described above is deposited here.

Project description:Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) cells can attach to both cantaloupe surface and food contact surfaces and promote biofilm growth. This study was to understand the impact of cantaloupe juice on the physiology and transcriptome of Lm planktonic cells and biofilm cells grown on stainless steel coupons using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy (Cryo-SEM) and RNA Seq technology. Lm showed a strong autoaggregation phenotype when grown in cantaloupe juice at room temperature. It is interesting to note that Lm formed significantly more biofilms on stainless steel (SS) coupons when grown in cantaloupe juice than in TSB. SEM images revealed a different attachment profile of Lm on SS coupons. In TSB, Lm cells were mainly found in scratches/groves of the metal surface, whereas, in cantaloupe juice they attached to the smooth surface as well. Interestingly, Lm planktonic and biofilm cells in cantaloupe juice showed an elongated cell shape which might be a stress-induced phenotype in cantaloupe juice. Cantaloupe juice induced a distinct transcriptional profile of biofilm and planktonic cells of Lm from TSB. Functional annotation indicated that the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs, Padj < 0.05, log2foldchange ≥ 1) from the comparison mainly participated in metabolism, signaling and stress response. Notably, certain pathways downregulated for planktonic cells were significantly upregulated for biofilm cells in cantaloupe juice compared to TSB, including ABC transporters, two-component system, quorum sensing, chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly. These data highlighted the interaction of Lm with food matrix (i.e., cantaloupe) and the role of food matrix on Lm survival and adaptation. These results provided the basis for future functional characterization of genes with potential roles in biofilm formation and persistence of Lm in cantaloupe juice, as well as for development of mitigation practices for Lm biofilms on produce and food contact surfaces.

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The transcriptional programme of Salmonella Typhimurium reveals a key role for tryptophan metabolism in biofilms

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