Les exopolysaccharides d'origine microbienne (EPS) jouent un rôle déterminant dans la stabilisation des agrégats du sol en s'associant avec les argiles minérales. Dans le cadre de ces travaux de recherche, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'étude des interfaces argile/EPS à l'échelle moléculaire par modélisation moléculaire. La montmorillonite sodique (Na-MMT) a été choisie comme modèle représentatif de l'argile minérale et plusieurs EPS ont été considérés : le dextrane, le MWAP71, le xanthane, le KYGT207, le rhamsane, YAS34 et le succinoglycane. Nous avons abordé deux aspects : (a) l'adsorption des unités constitutives des EPS sur la surface basale de Na-MMT, et (b) les relations établies entre les différences molécules dans des complexes argile/EPS/eau. Tous les EPS considérés présentent une affinité par la surface minérale, les interactions établies aux interfaces sont multiples, elles peuvent être ioniques, hydrophobes et des liaisons hydrogène. Nous avons constaté une corrélation linéaire entre l'enthalpie d'adsorption et la surface en contact. L'analyse des structures indique que le facteur déterminant pour l'adsorption est l'habilité des EPS à se déplier pour maximiser la surface en interaction. Pour les complexes argile/EPS/eau, les modèles montrent que l'interaction avec l'eau est la plus forte aux taux d'hydratation les plus faibles, montrant que le système s'oppose à la dessication. En revanche, l'interaction de l'EPS avec la surface de l'argile évite la dispersion des feuillets quand il y a un excès d'eau. Les résultats obtenus par modélisation présentent une bonne corrélation avec les observations expérimentales.

Exopolysaccharides are essential for the establishment of the symbiosis between Sinorhizobium meliloti and Medicago sativa (alfalfa). The ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system is known as a regulator of succinoglycan production but the genes that are directly regulated by ChvI have not been determined. Difficulty isolating exoS and chvI null mutants has prompted the suggestion that these genes are essential for S. meliloti viability. We have successfully isolated exoS and chvI null mutants using a merodiploid facilitated strategy. We present evidence that the S. meliloti ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system is essential for symbiosis with alfalfa. Phenotypic analyses of exoS and chvI null mutant strains demonstrate that ExoS/ChvI controls both succinoglycan and galactoglucan production and is required for growth on over 21 different carbon sources. These new findings suggest that the ExoS/ChvI regulatory targets might not be the exo genes that are specific for succinoglycan biosynthesis but rather genes that have common influence on both succinoglycan and galactoglucan production. To obtain further insight into the nature of the ChvI regulon, we obtained a purified His•Tag-ChvI and used it to perform modified electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These assays were done using genomic DNA and were followed by cloning of DNA fragments having the highest affinity for ChvI. Sequencing of these fragments revealed that ChvI has a diverse regulon, it affects transcription of genes encoding enzymes that are involved in different pathways. Transcriptional gene fusion assays confirmed that ChvI is important for the activation of the transcription of the msbA2 operon, as well as repression of the transcription of the rhizobactin 1021 operon and genes SMc00262-61. ChvI-regulation of genes that are part of the connected thiamine and histidine biosynthesis pathways suggest that ChvI could act in a concerted manner to avoid limitation of important intermediates in these pathways. This study presents for the first time genes directly regulated by ChvI and this includes none of the exo genes. This work opens new avenues in the understanding of the global regulatory role of the symbiotically important ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system.

Exopolysaccharides are essential for the establishment of the symbiosis between Sinorhizobium meliloti and Medicago sativa (alfalfa). The ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system is known as a regulator of succinoglycan production but the genes that are directly regulated by ChvI have not been determined. Difficulty isolating exoS and chvI null mutants has prompted the suggestion that these genes are essential for S. meliloti viability. We have successfully isolated exoS and chvI null mutants using a merodiploid facilitated strategy. We present evidence that the S. meliloti ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system is essential for symbiosis with alfalfa. Phenotypic analyses of exoS and chvI null mutant strains demonstrate that ExoS/ChvI controls both succinoglycan and galactoglucan production and is required for growth on over 21 different carbon sources. These new findings suggest that the ExoS/ChvI regulatory targets might not be the exo genes that are specific for succinoglycan biosynthesis but rather genes that have common influence on both succinoglycan and galactoglucan production. To obtain further insight into the nature of the ChvI regulon, we obtained a purified His•Tag-ChvI and used it to perform modified electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These assays were done using genomic DNA and were followed by cloning of DNA fragments having the highest affinity for ChvI. Sequencing of these fragments revealed that ChvI has a diverse regulon, it affects transcription of genes encoding enzymes that are involved in different pathways. Transcriptional gene fusion assays confirmed that ChvI is important for the activation of the transcription of the msbA2 operon, as well as repression of the transcription of the rhizobactin 1021 operon and genes SMc00262-61. ChvI-regulation of genes that are part of the connected thiamine and histidine biosynthesis pathways suggest that ChvI could act in a concerted manner to avoid limitation of important intermediates in these pathways. This study presents for the first time genes directly regulated by ChvI and this includes none of the exo genes. This work opens new avenues in the understanding of the global regulatory role of the symbiotically important ExoS/ChvI two-component regulatory system.

Yoghurt is a fermented milk product which is produced by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus. The production of yoghurt has started in Middle East and spread all over the world. The aim of this study is to select the culture combination which is appropriate to Turkish taste and have the best yoghurt characteristics by means of post-acidification and whey separation properties, texture of gel formation, exopolysaccharide and acetaldehyde content / and to observe the effect of freeze-drying of cultures on these yoghurt properties. At the first part of this study, six L.delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus isolates and six S.thermophilus isolates were used with different combinations to produce 36 yoghurt samples. These isolates were selected among a strain collection which contains 111 L.delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus and 56 S.thermophilus isolates which were isolated from traditional Turkish yoghurt according to their acidification activity and acetaldehyde production properties. In addition, two commercial S.thermophilus isolates and one commercial L.delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus isolate were used to produce two commercial yoghurt samples. 38 yoghurt samples were examined in terms of pH and total titratable acidity changes during 21-day storage, syneresis and hardness. According to these three analyses, six yoghurt samples were chosen, which give the best results, for the determination of exopolysaccharide and acetaldehyde content. In addition, two yoghurt samples produced by commercial cultures and one sample, which gives average results in experiments, were also examined for these compounds to provide a good comparison. In the second part of the study the amount of exopolysaccharide and acetaldehyde of nine yoghurt samples were determined. In addition, sensory analysis was conducted to see consumer perception. According to the results, one culture combination was obtained as the best combination which produces the appropriate yoghurt to Turkish taste with the closest chemical analysis results to the commercial samples. In the last part, freeze drying process was examined if this has a significant effect on the selected LAB combination as well as yoghurt produced by using this.

Zugl.: Braunschweig, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2008

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-07-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:43:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 castellane_tcl_dr_jabo.pdf: 1115288 bytes, checksum: c46d10396d02bdc45c92887415f5fd8f (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Rhizobium tropici e outras bactérias pertencentes à ordem Rhizobiales são produtores de polissacarídeos extracelulares (EPS), que possuem a função de molécula receptora do micro simbionte, fazendo uma interação célula/célula e desencadeando o processo de nodulação. A diversidade de estruturas e composição química apresentadas pelas moléculas de EPS é refletida pela diversidade de enzimas responsáveis pela sua síntese. Neste trabalho, buscou-se a inativação através da mutagênese insercional por transposição in vitro dos genes exoZ da estirpe selvagem Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4080 envolvidas na síntese das subunidades repetitivas do EPS e no tanden phbAB, responsáveis pela síntese do PHB, com o intuito de obter microrganismos com aspecto altamente mucoso, produtor superior de EPS em relação a estirpe selvagem. Os mutantes obtidos apresentaram colônias mucosas quando cultivados nos meios de culturas PSYA, demonstrando que estirpes de rizóbio mutantes nos genes exoZ e phbAB são capazes de formar biofilme “in vitro” e, ao avaliar a eficiência relativa na produção de EPS, o mutante 4080 Z03 apresentou o melhor resultado. Para as três amostras de EPS foi possível observar um comportamento de fluxo de líquidos pseudoplástico e, também, a influência da concentração de EPS sobre a viscosidade aparente das soluções aquosas. A estirpe selvagem e todos os mutantes induziram a formação de nódulos em feijoeiro (fenótipo Fix+), sugerindo que os genes exoZ e phbAB não estão envolvidos nos processos de infecção e formação nodular mas, sendo necessários para a fixação biológica de nitrogênio / Rhizobium tropici and other bacteria belonging to the order Rhizobiales are extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) producers, which possess the function of the receptor molecule to function as micro-symbiont, making an interaction cell / cell and triggering the nodulation process. The diversity of structures and chemical composition of EPS presented by molecules is reflected by the diversity of enzymes responsible for its synthesis. In this study, we sought to inactivation by insertional mutagenesis by “in vitro” transposition of genes from wild type exoZ Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4080 involved in the synthesis of the EPS repeating subunits and phbAB tanden, responsible for synthesis of PHB, in order to obtain microrganisms with high mucosal aspect producer of EPS compared to wild type. The mutants showed mucous colonies when grown in culture media PsyA, demonstrating that mutant strains in genes exoZ and phbAB from rhizobia are able to form biofilm “in vitro”, and to evaluate the relative efficiency in the production of EPS, the mutant 4080 Z03 showed the best result. For the three samples of EPS was possible to observe a flow behavior of pseudoplastic fluids, and also the influence of EPS concentration on the apparent viscosity of aqueous solutions. The wild type and mutants induced the formation of nodules in common bean (Fix+ phenotype), suggesting that genes exoZ and phbAB are not involved in the processes of infection and nodule formation, but are necessary for nitrogen fixation

abstract: ABSTRACT Sustainable global energy production is one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Next-generation renewable energy sources include using photosynthetic microbes such as cyanobacteria for efficient production of sustainable fuels from sunlight. The cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 (Synechocystis) is a genetically tractable model organism for plant-like photosynthesis that is used to develop microbial biofuel technologies. However, outside of photosynthetic processes, relatively little is known about the biology of microbial phototrophs such as Synechocystis, which impairs their development into market-ready technologies. My research objective was to characterize strategic aspects of Synechocystis biology related to its use in biofuel production; specifically, how the cell surface modulates the interactions between Synechocystis cells and the environment. First, I documented extensive biofouling, or unwanted biofilm formation, in a 4,000-liter roof-top photobioreactor (PBR) used to cultivate Synechocystis, and correlated this cell-binding phenotype with changes in nutrient status by developing a bench-scale assay for axenic phototrophic biofilm formation. Second, I created a library of mutants that lack cell surface structures, and used this biofilm assay to show that mutants lacking the structures pili or S-layer have a non-biofouling phenotype. Third, I analyzed the transcriptomes of cultures showing aggregation, another cell-binding phenotype, and demonstrated that the cells were undergoing stringent response, a type of conserved stress response. Finally, I used contaminant Consortia and statistical modeling to test whether Synechocystis mutants lacking cell surface structures could reduce contaminant growth in mixed cultures. In summary, I have identified genetic and environmental means of manipulating Synechocystis strains for customized adhesion phenotypes, for more economical biomass harvesting and non-biofouling methods. Additionally, I developed a modified biofilm assay and demonstrated its utility in closing a key gap in the field of microbiology related to axenic phototrophic biofilm formation assays. Also, I demonstrated that statistical modeling of contaminant Consortia predicts contaminant growth across diverse species. Collectively, these findings serve as the basis for immediately lowering the cost barrier of Synechocystis biofuels via a more economical biomass-dewatering step, and provide new research tools for improving Synechocystis strains and culture ecology management for improved biofuel production. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biological Design 2016

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:35:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sebastiao_fa_me_jabo.pdf: 674003 bytes, checksum: 55712af3de8f36c8c3d3b36dce7dcbc0 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dentre as enfermidades de importância na piscicultura, destaca-se a columnariose, cujo agente etiológico é a Flavobacterium columnare, bactéria de ampla distribuição geográfica, responsável por um elevado número de mortalidade em peixes de várias espécies, principalmente em condições intensivas de criação. Visando o melhor conhecimento desta bactéria para desenvolvimento de métodos de diagnóstico e controle da doença, os objetivos deste estudo foram isolar, caracterizar bioquímica e molecularmente por PCR-RFLP do gene 16S rDNA de F. columnare, detectar fenotipicamente a formação de cápsulas destes isolados pelo teste Agar vermelho congo, e avaliar a composição do EPS quando produzidos por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Ao todo foram obtidos 37 isolados e a caracterização bioquímica indica que os isolamentos são classificados como F. columnare. O filograma gerado pela técnica de PCR-RFLP mostrou três principais ramificações entre os isolados de F. columnare. Os testes comprovaram que a presença de cápsula na célula bacteriana não está diretamente relacionada à formação de biofilme, e o monossacarídeo preponderante em F. columnare é a glicose.Portanto, a utilização da PCR-RFLP para a identificação da bactéria apresentou-se como ferramenta mais rápida que as técnicas bioquímicas atuais e os dados referentes a produção de biofilme são relevantes para futuros estudos que busquem métodos enzimáticos para impedimento da aderência e formação de biofilmes destes patógenos aquáticos em sistemas de aqüicultura e consequentemente a prevenção da columnariose / Columnaris disease stands out among the illnesses of importance in fish breeding, its etiological agent is Flavobacterium columnare, which has been recognized as a worldwide pathogen, responsible for high degree of mortality in many fish species, especially in conditions of intensive breed. Looking for a better knowledge of this bacteria and aiming to develop diagnosis methods and disease control, the objectives of this study were to isolate, to biochemistry and molecularly characterize by 16S rDNA gene PCR-RFLP of F. columnare, to detect phenotipically the formation of capsules by the agar Congo red method, and to evaluate the EPS composition by high-performance liquid chromatography. There were obtained 37 isolates and the biochemistry characterization indicated that the isolates were classified as F. columnare. The phylogenetic tree generated by PCR-RFLP technique showed three main branches among the F. columnare isolates. The presence of capsule on the bacterial cells has not a direct relationship to biofilm formation, and considering its composition it was observed that the preponderant monosaccharide is glucose. Therefore, the PCR-RFLP alternative to identify this bacteria presented itself as a faster tool than actual biochemical techniques and the results regarding to biofilm production are relevant to future studies that search for enzymatic methods to abolish the adherence and biofilm formation by this aquatic pathogen in aquaculture systems, and, consequently, columnaris disease prevention

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-06-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:34:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 castellane_tcl_me_jabo.pdf: 528856 bytes, checksum: bad471ecc220d47ecbe832fa3f7acba8 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O estabelecimento da simbiose é baseado em um complexo diálogo entre o rizóbio e a planta hospedeira. Polissacarídeos de superfície de origem rizobiana aparentam ser essenciais para o processo de infecção. A composição dos EPSs das estirpes de Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 40]7 e SEMIA 4080 diferiram quantitativamente. Os quatro tipos de fontes de carbono têm efeitos diferentes na concentração da galactose e glicose, sendo maior para SEMIA 4080 cultivada em meio contendo sacarose. Mesmo a estirpe SEMIA 4080, apresentando grande quantidade de exopolissacarídeos liberado na cultura, não apresenta diferenças significativas no número de nódulos em relação às inoculações com a estirpe SEMIA 4077, sendo esta última, a que apresenta pior desempenho quanto à massa seca dos nódulos. / The establishment of symbiosis is based on a complex molecular dialogue between rhizobia and host plant. Rhizobial surface polysaccharides appear to be essential for the infection processo The EPSs composition produced by Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4077 and SEMIA 4080, differed quantitatively from one another. . Four types •of culture. media showed differential effects on the concentrations of the galactose and glucose, particularly the SEMIA 4080 strain, which was cultivated in sucrose medium. Even though the SEM IA 4080 strain produced a large quantity of EPS in culture, it was not significantly different from the number of nodules related to inoculations using strain SEMIA 4077.

Orientadora: Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo Lemos / Banca: João Martins Pizauro Junior / Banca: Luiz Alberto Colnago / Resumo: O estabelecimento da simbiose é baseado em um complexo diálogo entre o rizóbio e a planta hospedeira. Polissacarídeos de superfície de origem rizobiana aparentam ser essenciais para o processo de infecção. A composição dos EPSs das estirpes de Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 40]7 e SEMIA 4080 diferiram quantitativamente. Os quatro tipos de fontes de carbono têm efeitos diferentes na concentração da galactose e glicose, sendo maior para SEMIA 4080 cultivada em meio contendo sacarose. Mesmo a estirpe SEMIA 4080, apresentando grande quantidade de exopolissacarídeos liberado na cultura, não apresenta diferenças significativas no número de nódulos em relação às inoculações com a estirpe SEMIA 4077, sendo esta última, a que apresenta pior desempenho quanto à massa seca dos nódulos. / Abstract: The establishment of symbiosis is based on a complex molecular dialogue between rhizobia and host plant. Rhizobial surface polysaccharides appear to be essential for the infection processo The EPSs composition produced by Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4077 and SEMIA 4080, differed quantitatively from one another. . Four types •of culture. media showed differential effects on the concentrations of the galactose and glucose, particularly the SEMIA 4080 strain, which was cultivated in sucrose medium. Even though the SEM IA 4080 strain produced a large quantity of EPS in culture, it was not significantly different from the number of nodules related to inoculations using strain SEMIA 4077. / Mestre