The waterborne bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae uses a process of cell-to-cell communication called quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate transcription of four sRNAs (Qrr1-4; quorum regulatory RNAs) in response to changes in extracellular QS signals that accumulate with cell density. The Qrr sRNAs are predicted to negatively control translation of several mRNAs, including hapR, which encodes the master QS transcription factor that controls genes for virulence factors, biofilm formation, protease production, and DNA uptake. The Qrr sRNAs are also predicted to positively control vca0939, which encodes a GGDEF family protein that promote biofilm formation by elevating intracellular levels of the second messenger molecule c-di-GMP. Using complementary in vivo, in vitro, and bioinformatic approaches, I showed that Qrr sRNAs base-pair with and repress translation of the mRNA encoding HapR. A single nucleotide mutation in Qrr RNA abolishes hapR pairing and thus prevents cholera toxin production and biofilm formation that are important in disease, and also alters expression of competence genes required for uptake of DNA in marine settings. I also demonstrated that base-pairing of the Qrr sRNAs with vca0939 disrupts an inhibitory structure in the 5' UTR of the mRNA. Qrr-activated translation of vca0939 was sufficient to promote synthesis of c-di-GMP and early biofilm formation in a HapR-independent manner. Thus, these studies define the non-coding Qrr sRNAs as a critical component allowing V. cholerae to sense and respond to environmental cues to regulate important developmental processes such as biofilm formation.

Shigella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for bacillary dysentery in humans. Shigella flexneri type 2a in particular is responsible for the majority of incidents in developing countries. The S. flexneri protease IcsP, is a member of the Omptin family of outer membrane (OM) proteases which cleaves IcsA, a polarly localised OM protein required for Shigella virulence. Mutations in icsP have been shown to effect the observed distribution of IcsA, however the significance of IcsP in Shigella virulence is incompletely understood. In this study, aspects of IcsP biology were investigated. S. flexneri 2457T and M90T icsP mutants were constructed to investigate the role of IcsP in Shigella intercellular spread, and it was found that icsP in both S. flexneri backgrounds did not appear to be essential for cell-tocell spread in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, but enhanced cell-to-cell spread in monkey kidney CV-1 cells (as determined by plaque assays). Complementation with icsP returned the mutant phenotype to wild-type. The results suggest IcsP does play a role in Shigella intercellular spread. The 2457T icsP mutant was subsequently complemented with an altered icsP gene encoding a haemagglutinin epitope tagged IcsP (IcsPHA) to determine the distribution of IcsP on the cell surface. In both S. flexneri and E. coli K-12 possessing smooth and rough lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the distribution of IcsPHA was found to be punctate across the cell surface. Deconvolution analysis revealed that IcsP distribution was punctate and banded in both LPS backgrounds. A smooth LPS E. coli K-12 yfdI mutant strain expressing IcsPHA was also constructed, and experiments involving treatment of this strain with bacteriophage Sf6 tail spike protein suggested that LPS O antigen chains masked IcsP in smooth LPS strains. During these studies, double-labelling of IcsPHA and LPS in a S. flexneri 5a M90T strain revealed a helical distribution of LPS in this strain. Overall, the results suggest IcsP has a punctate, banded distribution across the cell surface. The effect of virK and rmlD mutations on IcsP was then investigated by constructing a virK, rmlD and virK/rmlD double mutant in S. flexneri 2457T. Western immunoblotting showed no change in IcsP expression levels in either the virK, rmlD or virK/rmlD mutants compared to wild-type. Surprisingly, the virK mutant showed no change in IcsA expression levels by Western immunoblotting and plaque assays (using HeLa and CV-1 cells) suggested that virK was not essential for Shigella intercellular spread (contradicting the published data on this gene). No effect was also observed on IcsP expression level or on IcsP’s ability to cleave IcsA into culture supernatants. Finally alternative substrates for the protease activity of IcsP were investigated against known Omptin substrates (plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin, complement, protamine and colicins). However, IcsP appeared to have no effect on these substrates as determined by proteolytic cleavage assays and antimicrobial assay. Interestingly, Plg cleavage by rough LPS S. flexneri, and α2AP cleavage by both smooth and rough LPS S. flexneri, was observed. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339487 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

Shigella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for bacillary dysentery in humans. Shigella flexneri type 2a in particular is responsible for the majority of incidents in developing countries. The S. flexneri protease IcsP, is a member of the Omptin family of outer membrane (OM) proteases which cleaves IcsA, a polarly localised OM protein required for Shigella virulence. Mutations in icsP have been shown to effect the observed distribution of IcsA, however the significance of IcsP in Shigella virulence is incompletely understood. In this study, aspects of IcsP biology were investigated. S. flexneri 2457T and M90T icsP mutants were constructed to investigate the role of IcsP in Shigella intercellular spread, and it was found that icsP in both S. flexneri backgrounds did not appear to be essential for cell-tocell spread in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, but enhanced cell-to-cell spread in monkey kidney CV-1 cells (as determined by plaque assays). Complementation with icsP returned the mutant phenotype to wild-type. The results suggest IcsP does play a role in Shigella intercellular spread. The 2457T icsP mutant was subsequently complemented with an altered icsP gene encoding a haemagglutinin epitope tagged IcsP (IcsPHA) to determine the distribution of IcsP on the cell surface. In both S. flexneri and E. coli K-12 possessing smooth and rough lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the distribution of IcsPHA was found to be punctate across the cell surface. Deconvolution analysis revealed that IcsP distribution was punctate and banded in both LPS backgrounds. A smooth LPS E. coli K-12 yfdI mutant strain expressing IcsPHA was also constructed, and experiments involving treatment of this strain with bacteriophage Sf6 tail spike protein suggested that LPS O antigen chains masked IcsP in smooth LPS strains. During these studies, double-labelling of IcsPHA and LPS in a S. flexneri 5a M90T strain revealed a helical distribution of LPS in this strain. Overall, the results suggest IcsP has a punctate, banded distribution across the cell surface. The effect of virK and rmlD mutations on IcsP was then investigated by constructing a virK, rmlD and virK/rmlD double mutant in S. flexneri 2457T. Western immunoblotting showed no change in IcsP expression levels in either the virK, rmlD or virK/rmlD mutants compared to wild-type. Surprisingly, the virK mutant showed no change in IcsA expression levels by Western immunoblotting and plaque assays (using HeLa and CV-1 cells) suggested that virK was not essential for Shigella intercellular spread (contradicting the published data on this gene). No effect was also observed on IcsP expression level or on IcsP’s ability to cleave IcsA into culture supernatants. Finally alternative substrates for the protease activity of IcsP were investigated against known Omptin substrates (plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin, complement, protamine and colicins). However, IcsP appeared to have no effect on these substrates as determined by proteolytic cleavage assays and antimicrobial assay. Interestingly, Plg cleavage by rough LPS S. flexneri, and α2AP cleavage by both smooth and rough LPS S. flexneri, was observed. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339487 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

Shigella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for bacillary dysentery in humans. Shigella flexneri type 2a in particular is responsible for the majority of incidents in developing countries. The S. flexneri protease IcsP, is a member of the Omptin family of outer membrane (OM) proteases which cleaves IcsA, a polarly localised OM protein required for Shigella virulence. Mutations in icsP have been shown to effect the observed distribution of IcsA, however the significance of IcsP in Shigella virulence is incompletely understood. In this study, aspects of IcsP biology were investigated. S. flexneri 2457T and M90T icsP mutants were constructed to investigate the role of IcsP in Shigella intercellular spread, and it was found that icsP in both S. flexneri backgrounds did not appear to be essential for cell-tocell spread in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, but enhanced cell-to-cell spread in monkey kidney CV-1 cells (as determined by plaque assays). Complementation with icsP returned the mutant phenotype to wild-type. The results suggest IcsP does play a role in Shigella intercellular spread. The 2457T icsP mutant was subsequently complemented with an altered icsP gene encoding a haemagglutinin epitope tagged IcsP (IcsPHA) to determine the distribution of IcsP on the cell surface. In both S. flexneri and E. coli K-12 possessing smooth and rough lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the distribution of IcsPHA was found to be punctate across the cell surface. Deconvolution analysis revealed that IcsP distribution was punctate and banded in both LPS backgrounds. A smooth LPS E. coli K-12 yfdI mutant strain expressing IcsPHA was also constructed, and experiments involving treatment of this strain with bacteriophage Sf6 tail spike protein suggested that LPS O antigen chains masked IcsP in smooth LPS strains. During these studies, double-labelling of IcsPHA and LPS in a S. flexneri 5a M90T strain revealed a helical distribution of LPS in this strain. Overall, the results suggest IcsP has a punctate, banded distribution across the cell surface. The effect of virK and rmlD mutations on IcsP was then investigated by constructing a virK, rmlD and virK/rmlD double mutant in S. flexneri 2457T. Western immunoblotting showed no change in IcsP expression levels in either the virK, rmlD or virK/rmlD mutants compared to wild-type. Surprisingly, the virK mutant showed no change in IcsA expression levels by Western immunoblotting and plaque assays (using HeLa and CV-1 cells) suggested that virK was not essential for Shigella intercellular spread (contradicting the published data on this gene). No effect was also observed on IcsP expression level or on IcsP’s ability to cleave IcsA into culture supernatants. Finally alternative substrates for the protease activity of IcsP were investigated against known Omptin substrates (plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin, complement, protamine and colicins). However, IcsP appeared to have no effect on these substrates as determined by proteolytic cleavage assays and antimicrobial assay. Interestingly, Plg cleavage by rough LPS S. flexneri, and α2AP cleavage by both smooth and rough LPS S. flexneri, was observed. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339487 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A esporotricose é uma doença micótica, infecciosa e crônica, que envolve o tecido cutâneo e subcutâneo, e que pode afetar seres humanos e animais. Esta micose sempre foi atribuída a um único patógeno, o Sporothrix schenckii, um fungo termodimórfico, que cresce como levedura a 37 C e como micélio à temperatura ambiente. No entanto, nos últimos anos, foi demonstrado que isolados identificados como S. schenckii apresentavam grande variabilidade genética, sugerindo que este táxon consiste em um complexo de espécies. Esta doença é causada pela implantação traumática do patógeno fúngico, porém, os mecanismos de invasão e disseminação deste microorganismo, bem como as moléculas envolvidas nestes processos, ainda são pouco conhecidos. Com base nessas informações, este trabalho visa identificar moléculas de superfície deste patógeno envolvidas na interação deste fungo com proteínas matriciais, bem como analisar diferenças fenotípicas entre espécies do denominado complexo Sporothrix. Foram utilizados, neste estudo, cinco isolados de Sporothrix spp., sendo três isolados clínicos, um isolado ambiental e um isolado de gato. A virulência de cada isolado foi comparada à capacidade adesiva à proteína matricial fibronectina. Foi observado que os isolados com maior capacidade infectiva eram os que apresentavam maior capacidade adesiva à fibronectina. Verificamos então a expressão de adesinas para fibronectina na superfície de cada isolado, por Western blot, e observamos que os isolados mais virulentos e com maior capacidade adesiva expressavam mais adesinas para fibronectina. Bandas reativas com o anticorpo monoclonal contra adesina gp70 (mAb P6E7) foram reveladas nos extratos de parede celular dos isolados estudados. Análises por microscopia confocal revelaram a co-localização da gp70 com a adesina para fibronectina na superfície dos isolados. Análises filogenéticas demonstraram que os isolados estudados possuíam diferenças genotípicas capazes de agrupá-los em duas espécies, S. schenckii e S. brasiliensis. Esta análise revelou que o isolado avirulento era S. brasiliensis e não S. schenckii, como se pensava. Este dado novo nos levou a verificar se a virulência e as características fenotípicas estariam relacionadas ao genótipo. A avaliação da virulência mostrou que outro isolado de S. brasiliensis era tão virulento quanto os isolados de S. schenckii. Além disso, as características morfológicas, como tamanho, forma e perfil de crescimento, das fases miceliana e leveduriforme, e características microscópicas da parede das leveduras também foram avaliadas. Porém, não foi possível correlacionar, de forma clara, a morfologia celular com a especiação do gênero Sporothrix. A expressão da gp70 na superfície das duas espécies foi verificada e foi observado que o isolado virulento de S. brasiliensis quase não expressa a gp70 na sua superfície em contraste com o isolado avirulento de S. brasiliensis, que além de expressar esta glicoproteína em grande quantidade ainda a libera para o meio extracelular. Este estudo mostra que há uma correlação direta entre virulência e expressão de adesinas, porém, sem qualquer relação entre características fenotípicas e genótipo. / Sporotrichosis is a chronic and infectious disease that involves the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, which can affect humans and animals. This mycosis has always been attributed to a single pathogen, the Sporothrix schenckii, a dimorphic fungus, that grows as yeast at 37 C and as mycelia at room temperature. However, in recent years, some isolates identified as S. schenckii showed considerable genetic variability, suggesting that this taxon consists of a complex of species. This disease is caused by the traumatic inoculation of the fungal pathogen, however, the molecules involved in the invasion and dissemination of this microorganism are still poorly understood. The aim of this study is to identify surface molecules involved in the interaction of this fungus with extracellular matrix proteins and to examine phenotypic differences between species in the Sporothrix complex. Five isolates were used throughout this study, three clinical isolates, an environmental and one cat isolate. The virulence of each isolate was compared to the adhesive capacity to fibronectin. We observed that the most virulent isolates exhibited the higher capacity to interact with fibronectin. The expression of adhesins for fibronectin on the surface of each isolate was verified by Western blot. This analysis showed that the most virulent isolates expressed more fibronectin adhesins than the avirulent ones. Positive bands for the monoclonal antibody raised against gp70 adhesin (mAb P6E7) were revealed in cell wall extracts of the isolates studied. Confocal microscopy confirmed the colocalization of fibronectin and mAb P6E7 on the yeast cell surface. Molecular analysis showed genotypic differences between isolates used in this study, that can cluster than them into two species, S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. This phylogenetic analysis revealed that the avirulent isolate was S. brasiliensis and not S. schenckii as previously thought. This new data led us to determine whether the virulence and phenotypic characteristics were related to genotype. The virulence analysis showed that another S. brasiliensis isolate was as virulent as the S. schenckii isolates. Moreover, morphological characteristics, such as, size, shape and growth profile of mycelial and yeast were also evaluated. However, no connection was observed between cell morphology with the speciation of the genus Sporothrix. The cell wall expression of gp70 was evaluated in the twou species. We observed that the virulent isolate of S. brasiliensis almost do not express gp70 in contrast with the avirulent isolate of the same specie. This study shows that there is a direct correlation between virulence and adhesins expression, however, no relationship between genotype and phenotypic characteristics was observed.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A esporotricose é uma doença micótica, infecciosa e crônica, que envolve o tecido cutâneo e subcutâneo, e que pode afetar seres humanos e animais. Esta micose sempre foi atribuída a um único patógeno, o Sporothrix schenckii, um fungo termodimórfico, que cresce como levedura a 37 C e como micélio à temperatura ambiente. No entanto, nos últimos anos, foi demonstrado que isolados identificados como S. schenckii apresentavam grande variabilidade genética, sugerindo que este táxon consiste em um complexo de espécies. Esta doença é causada pela implantação traumática do patógeno fúngico, porém, os mecanismos de invasão e disseminação deste microorganismo, bem como as moléculas envolvidas nestes processos, ainda são pouco conhecidos. Com base nessas informações, este trabalho visa identificar moléculas de superfície deste patógeno envolvidas na interação deste fungo com proteínas matriciais, bem como analisar diferenças fenotípicas entre espécies do denominado complexo Sporothrix. Foram utilizados, neste estudo, cinco isolados de Sporothrix spp., sendo três isolados clínicos, um isolado ambiental e um isolado de gato. A virulência de cada isolado foi comparada à capacidade adesiva à proteína matricial fibronectina. Foi observado que os isolados com maior capacidade infectiva eram os que apresentavam maior capacidade adesiva à fibronectina. Verificamos então a expressão de adesinas para fibronectina na superfície de cada isolado, por Western blot, e observamos que os isolados mais virulentos e com maior capacidade adesiva expressavam mais adesinas para fibronectina. Bandas reativas com o anticorpo monoclonal contra adesina gp70 (mAb P6E7) foram reveladas nos extratos de parede celular dos isolados estudados. Análises por microscopia confocal revelaram a co-localização da gp70 com a adesina para fibronectina na superfície dos isolados. Análises filogenéticas demonstraram que os isolados estudados possuíam diferenças genotípicas capazes de agrupá-los em duas espécies, S. schenckii e S. brasiliensis. Esta análise revelou que o isolado avirulento era S. brasiliensis e não S. schenckii, como se pensava. Este dado novo nos levou a verificar se a virulência e as características fenotípicas estariam relacionadas ao genótipo. A avaliação da virulência mostrou que outro isolado de S. brasiliensis era tão virulento quanto os isolados de S. schenckii. Além disso, as características morfológicas, como tamanho, forma e perfil de crescimento, das fases miceliana e leveduriforme, e características microscópicas da parede das leveduras também foram avaliadas. Porém, não foi possível correlacionar, de forma clara, a morfologia celular com a especiação do gênero Sporothrix. A expressão da gp70 na superfície das duas espécies foi verificada e foi observado que o isolado virulento de S. brasiliensis quase não expressa a gp70 na sua superfície em contraste com o isolado avirulento de S. brasiliensis, que além de expressar esta glicoproteína em grande quantidade ainda a libera para o meio extracelular. Este estudo mostra que há uma correlação direta entre virulência e expressão de adesinas, porém, sem qualquer relação entre características fenotípicas e genótipo. / Sporotrichosis is a chronic and infectious disease that involves the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, which can affect humans and animals. This mycosis has always been attributed to a single pathogen, the Sporothrix schenckii, a dimorphic fungus, that grows as yeast at 37 C and as mycelia at room temperature. However, in recent years, some isolates identified as S. schenckii showed considerable genetic variability, suggesting that this taxon consists of a complex of species. This disease is caused by the traumatic inoculation of the fungal pathogen, however, the molecules involved in the invasion and dissemination of this microorganism are still poorly understood. The aim of this study is to identify surface molecules involved in the interaction of this fungus with extracellular matrix proteins and to examine phenotypic differences between species in the Sporothrix complex. Five isolates were used throughout this study, three clinical isolates, an environmental and one cat isolate. The virulence of each isolate was compared to the adhesive capacity to fibronectin. We observed that the most virulent isolates exhibited the higher capacity to interact with fibronectin. The expression of adhesins for fibronectin on the surface of each isolate was verified by Western blot. This analysis showed that the most virulent isolates expressed more fibronectin adhesins than the avirulent ones. Positive bands for the monoclonal antibody raised against gp70 adhesin (mAb P6E7) were revealed in cell wall extracts of the isolates studied. Confocal microscopy confirmed the colocalization of fibronectin and mAb P6E7 on the yeast cell surface. Molecular analysis showed genotypic differences between isolates used in this study, that can cluster than them into two species, S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. This phylogenetic analysis revealed that the avirulent isolate was S. brasiliensis and not S. schenckii as previously thought. This new data led us to determine whether the virulence and phenotypic characteristics were related to genotype. The virulence analysis showed that another S. brasiliensis isolate was as virulent as the S. schenckii isolates. Moreover, morphological characteristics, such as, size, shape and growth profile of mycelial and yeast were also evaluated. However, no connection was observed between cell morphology with the speciation of the genus Sporothrix. The cell wall expression of gp70 was evaluated in the twou species. We observed that the virulent isolate of S. brasiliensis almost do not express gp70 in contrast with the avirulent isolate of the same specie. This study shows that there is a direct correlation between virulence and adhesins expression, however, no relationship between genotype and phenotypic characteristics was observed.

Orientadores: Arnaldo Yoshiteru Kuaye, Kathryn J. Boor / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T23:53:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kabuki_DirceYorika_D.pdf: 1158257 bytes, checksum: e37465f074c6973fa67baa13e368f2fa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: Os queijos frescais estilo Hispânico são alimentos de alto risco à contaminação por L. monocytogenes e já foram associados à pelo menos dois surtos de listeriose nos Estados Unidos da América. O conhecimento maior das fontes de contaminação por L. monocytogenes no processamento de queijos frescos tipo Hispânico é crítico para permitir o desenvolvimento de estratégias mais eficazes para o controle deste perigo. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um diagnóstico da contaminação por L. monocytogenes em três indústrias processadoras de queijos frescais tipo Hispânico, nos Estados Unidos. Um total de 246 amostras ambientais foi coletado e analisado para L. monocytogenes utilizando-se o método preconizado pela ¿Food and Drug Administration¿ (FDA) e o método ¿Biosynth L. monocytogenes detection system¿ (LMDS). As amostras de queijo, produzidos nestas indústrias (n=111), foram analisadas utilizando-se o método da FDA, modificado pela inclusão dos meios de cultura ¿L. monocytogenes plating medium¿ (LMPM) e ¿Listeria monocytogenes confirmatory plating medium¿ (LMCM) utilizados no método LMDS. L. monocytogenes foi detectada em 6,3% dos queijos e 11,0% das amostras ambientais. Dentre as amostras ambientais, aquelas obtidas de caixa vazada de plástico, dreno e piso apresentaram alta ocorrência de L. monocytogenes, com taxas de 55,6%, 30,0% e 20,6%, respectivamente. Apenas uma indústria apresentou resultados positivos em amostras de queijos e de superfícies que contatavam o alimento. O método da FDA mostrou maior sensibilidade do que o método LMDS para detecção de L. monocytogenes em amostras ambientais, e a inclusão dos meios LMPM e LMCM não melhorou a performance do método do FDA para detecção do patógeno em queijos. A subtipagem molecular, através da análise alélica dos genes de virulência actA e hly e da ribotipagem automatizada, foi utilizada para traçar a contaminação por L. monocytogenes nas indústrias. O ribotipo DUP-1044A, que havia sido previamente associado a surtos de listeriose humana em vários estados nos Estados Unidos em 1998, foi o subtipo mais comumente identificado (20/36 isolados) e foi isolado em 2 estabelecimentos. Este ribotipo se mostrou persistente e amplamente disseminado em uma das indústrias, onde foi também responsável pela contaminação do produto final. Nossa hipótese é que cepas deste ribotipo tenham habilidade específica em permanecer no ambiente de processamento. Apesar dos surtos de listeriose terem sido associados a queijos Hispânicos produzidos com leite não pasteurizado, os resultados obtidos neste trabalho revelam que a permanente contaminação ambiental pode representar outra fonte importante de contaminação do produto final / Abstract: Latin-style fresh cheeses, which have been linked to at least two human listeriosis outbreaks in the US, are considered to be high risk foods for Listeria monocytogenes contamination. We evaluated L. monocytogenes contamination patterns in three Latin-style fresh cheese processing plants to gain a better understanding of L. monocytogenes contamination sources in the manufacture of these cheeses. Over a 6-month period, 246 environmental samples were collected and analyzed for L. monocytogenes using both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) method and the Biosynth L. monocytogenes detection system (LMDS). Finished cheese samples from the same plants (n=111) were also analyzed by the FDA method, which was modified to include L. monocytogenes plating medium (LMPM) and the L. monocytogenes confirmatory plating medium (LMCM) used in the LMDS method. L. monocytogenes was detected in 6.3% of cheese and 11.0% of environmental samples. Crates, drains and floor samples showed the highest contamination rates with 55.6%, 30.0% and 20.6% L. monocytogenes positive samples, respectively. Finished products and food contact surfaces were positive in only one plant. The FDA method showed a higher sensitivity than the LMDS method for detection of L. monocytogenes from environmental samples. The addition of LMPM and LMCM media did not further enhance the performance of the FDA method for L. monocytogenes detection from finished products. Molecular subtyping (PCR-based allelic analysis of the virulence genes actA and hly and automated ribotyping) was used to track contamination patterns. Ribotype DUP-1044A, which had previously been linked to a 1998 multistate human listeriosis outbreak in the US, was the most commonly identified subtype (20/36 isolates) and was isolated from two plants. This ribotype was persistent and widespread in one factory, where it was also responsible for the contamination of finished products. We hypothesize that this ribotype may represent a clonal group with a specific ability to persist in food processing environments. While previous listeriosis outbreaks were linked to Latin-style fresh cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, the presence of this organism in pasteurized cheese products illustrates that persistent environmental contamination also represents an important source of finished product contamination / Doutorado / Doutor em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Orientador: Marcelo Palma Sircili / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T04:50:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Franzin_FernandaMaria_D.pdf: 6490379 bytes, checksum: facd90d2115a20d8eccb498865503103 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Escherichia coli enteropatogênica atípica (aEPEC) faz parte de um grupo de patógenos capazes de formar um tipo de lesão em células epiteliais denominada Attaching and Effacing (A/E). Os genes requeridos para a formação da lesão A/E estão localizados em uma ilha de patogenicidade denominada Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE). A regulação da expressão dos genes de LEE é um processo complexo e envolve inúmeros fatores e vias regulatórias, incluindo o sistema de quorum sensing AI- 3/Epinefrina/Norepinefrina. O sensor histidina-quinase QseC é responsável por detectar AI-3 produzido por outras bactérias e epinefrina/norepinefrina produzidas pelo hospedeiro e iniciar uma cascata regulatória que induz a expressão de genes de virulência. Para avaliar o papel desse sistema na regulação de fatores de virulência de aEPEC, um mutante para o gene qseC foi gerado e analisado a nível transcricional e fenotípico quanto a sua motilidade, capacidade de secretar proteínas e induzir lesão A/E, na presença e/ou ausência do sinal epinefrina. Ensaios de qRT-PCR demonstraram níveis transcricionais diminuídos para LEE e para os genes flhD, fliC e nleA no mutante, sugerindo que QseC regula a expressão desses fatores de virulência. Ensaios de motilidade, proteínas secretadas e FAS evidenciaram que a motilidade, a secreção de proteínas e a formação da lesão A/E estavam diminuídas no mutante, comprovando a participação de QseC na regulação desses fenótipos em aEPEC. Os mesmos ensaios realizados na presença de epinefrina demonstraram que esse sinal tem papel importante na regulação dos genes de LEE de aEPEC e que essa regulação não ocorre exclusivamente via QseC, mas envolve outro receptor para esse hormônio. Epinefrina regula a expressão dos genes de LEE, porém, parece não ser um sinal importante na regulação da expressão de NleA e flagelo/motilidade. A análise do transcriptoma da linhagem mutante demonstrou que, além de ter uma importância central na regulação da virulência de aEPEC, QseC age também como um importante regulador global da expressão gênica nessa linhagem, regulando, direta ou indiretamente, a expressão de, aproximadamente, 1505 genes, entre eles genes relacionados ao metabolismo, transporte, quimiotaxia, captação de íons, resistência à stress, formação de biofilme, regulação transcricional, etc. Um modelo geral simplificado da regulação gênica da virulência de aEPEC através do sistema AI-3/Epi/NE e seu sensor QseC foi proposto. Esse trabalho descreve pela primeira vez a regulação do tipo quorum sensing na modulação da expressão da virulência em uma EPEC atípica / Abstract: Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) is part of a group of pathogens capable of forming a characteristic lesion in epithelial cells called Attaching and Effacing (A/E). Genes required for A/E lesion formation are located on a pathogenicity island called Locus of Enterocyte Effacement (LEE). The regulation of LEE gene expression is a complex process and involves several factors and regulatory pathways, including the quorum sensing system AI-3/Epinephrine/Norepinephrine. The histidine kinase sensor QseC is responsible for detecting AI-3 produced by other bacteria and epinephrine/norepinephrine produced by the host, starting a regulatory cascade that induces the expression of virulence genes. In order to evaluate the influence of this system in the regulation of virulence factors of aEPEC, a qseC mutant has been generated, and transcriptional and phenotypical analyses were performed. Motility, ability to secrete proteins and induce A/E lesion, in the presence and/or absence of the epinephrine signal were analysed. qRT-PCR assays demonstrated reduced transcriptional levels of the LEE operons, and flhD, fliC and nleA genes in the mutant strain, suggesting that QseC regulates the expression of these virulence factors. Motility assays, secreted proteins and FAS have shown that motility, protein secretion and A/E lesion formation were decreased in the mutant, confirming the participation of QseC regulating these phenotypes in aEPEC. The same tests were performed in the presence of epinephrine, and demonstrated that this signal plays an important role in LEE gene regulation of aEPEC and this regulation does not occur exclusively via QseC, but involves other receptor for this hormone. Epinephrine regulates the expression of LEE genes, however, does not seem to be an important signal in the regulation of NleA and flagella/motility gene expression. Transcriptome analysis of the mutant strain has shown that, besides having a central role in the regulation of aEPEC virulence, QseC also acts as an important global regulator of gene expression in this strain, regulating, directly or indirectly, the expression of approximately 1505 genes, including genes related to metabolism, transport, chemotaxis, ion uptake, resistance to stress, biofilm formation, transcriptional regulation, and other. We proposed a simplified general model of virulence gene regulation of aEPEC through the AI-3/Epi/NE system and its sensor QseC. This is the first work describing the quorum sensing gene regulation modulating the virulence expression in atypical EPEC / Doutorado / Microbiologia / Doutora em Genética e Biologia Molecular

Victoria blight, caused by fungus Cochliobolus victoriae, is a disease originally described on oats and recapitulated on Arabidopsis. Victoria blight is used as a model plant disease that conforms to an inverse gene-for-gene interaction. C. victoriae virulence is dependent upon its production of victorin, a host-specific toxin that induces programmed cell death in sensitive plants. In oats, victorin sensitivity and disease susceptibility is conferred by the Vb gene, which is genetically inseparable from the Pc-2 crown rust resistance gene. In Arabidopsis, victorin sensitivity and disease susceptibility is conferred by the LOCUS ORCHESTRATING VICTORIN EFFECTS 1 (LOV1) gene which encodes a NB-LRR protein, a type of protein commonly associated with disease resistance. LOV1-mediated cell death occurs when victorin binds Thioredoxin-h5 (TRX-h5) and LOV1 appears to "guards" TRX-h5. Together, these results suggest C. victoriae causes disease by inducing a resistance response. The work presented here aimed to determine if the response mediated by LOV1 is functionally related to a resistance response. We genetically characterized the response mediated by LOV1 with virus-induced gene silencing. We determined SUPPRESSOR OF THE G2 ALLELE OF SKP1 (SGT1), a gene required for the function of many resistance genes, is required for victorin sensitivity and involved in LOV1 protein accumulation. We screened a normalized library and identified six genes that suppressed victorin-mediated cell death and cell death induced by expression of the RESISTANCE TO PERONOSPORA PARASITICA PROTEIN 8 (RPP8) resistance gene: a mitochondrial phosphate transporter, glycolate oxidase, glutamine synthetase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and the P- and T-protein of the glycine decarboxylase complex. Silencing the latter four also inhibited cell death induced by the expression of an autoactive form of the resistance gene PTO, and reduced PTO-mediated resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. These results provide evidence that victorin-mediated cell death is functionally similar to a resistance response, further supporting the hypothesis that a resistance response is exploited by C. victoriae for pathogenesis in Victoria blight. Resistance function of LOV1 was evaluated by observing Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato virulence upon LOV1 activation. The LOV1 response pathway in Arabidopsis was adapted to activate upon infection with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato expressing the type III-dependent effector protein AvrRpt2, a well-characterized protease. We developed a construct to express a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and TRX-h5 fusion protein separated by an AvrRpt2 proteolytic cleavage site, in which GUS sterically inhibits TRX-h5 function in LOV1-mediated cell death. The fusion is cleaved upon infection by P. syringae pv. tomato expressing avrRpt2, thereby leading to TRX-h5-mediated activation of LOV1 in the presence of victorin. However, when this strain was inoculated with victorin into transgenic LOV1 trx-h5 plants expressing the GUS/TRX-h5 fusion protein, no decrease in pathogen virulence was observed. Technical shortcomings likely prevented observable LOV1 resistance function. ��� / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from Oct. 9, 2012 - Oct. 9, 2013

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-02-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:07:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 siqueira_ak_me_botfmvz.pdf: 464792 bytes, checksum: aae10b408540ec568f7000a9c01f5a54 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Escherichia coli e considerado o principal agente causal de infeccao de trato urinario (ITU) e piometra em caes. A patogenicidade das linhagens esta relacionada a presenca de adesinas e diferentes fatores de virulencia. Foram avaliadas alteracoes hematologicas e diferentes fatores de virulencia em 51 linhagens de E. coli isoladas de ITU, 52 de piometra e 55 de fezes de caes sem sinais entericos. A producao de ¿-hemolisina foi verificada em 26 (51,0%) das estirpes de ITU e em 20 (38,5%) de piometra. Exames hematologicos revelaram principalmente anemia, trombocitopenia e leucocitose por neutrofilia e monocitose nos caes com ITU e piometra. Os maiores indices de sensibilidade nas 158 estirpes foram observados para norfloxacina, ciprofloxacina e enrofloxacina em mais de 60% dos isolados. Os maiores indices de resistencia foram encontrados em 60% ou mais das estirpes com o uso de sulfametoxazole/trimetoprim. Linhagens resistentes a tres ou mais antimicrobianos foram constatadas em 24 (47,1%) de ITU, 7 (13,5%) de piometra e 4 (7,3%) das fezes, das quais respectivamente, 17 (33,3%), 1 (1,9%) e 3 (5,5%), com resistencia multipla a cinco ou mais drogas. fimH foi observado em mais de 90% dos isolados. papC foi detectado em 12 (23,5%) linhagens de ITU, 19 (36,5%) de piometra e 10 (18,2%) das fezes. papGI nao foi detectado, enquanto papGII foi observado em 3 (5,8%) isolados de piometra. papGIII foi expressado em 10 (19,6%) linhagens de ITU, 15 (28,8%) de piometra e 9 (16,4%) das fezes. sfaS foi encontrado em 22 (43,1%) de ITU, 24 (46,1%) de piometra e 19 (34,5%) das fezes. afa foi detectado em 1 (1,9%) linhagem de ITU e de piometra... / Escherichia coli is considered the more important microrganism in urinary tract infection (UTI) and pyometra in dogs. The pathogenicity of strains is associated with different adhesins and virulence factors. Haematological exams and different virulence factors was evaluated in 51 E. coli strains isolated from UTI, 52 from pyometra and 55 from feces of dogs without enteric signs. Alpha-haemolysin was verified in 26 (51.0%) strains from UTI and 20 (38.5%) from pyometra. Haematological exams revealed mainly anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucocytosis by neutrophilia and monocitosis in dogs with UTI and pyometra. Norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin were the most-effective drugs (>60%) for 158 E. coli strains. High rates of E. coli resistance to antimicrobials were observed in 60% or more of strains using sulfametoxazole/trimetoprim. Multiple drug resistance for three or more antimicrobials was observed in 2 (47.1%) strains isolated from UTI, 7 (13.5%) from pyometra and 4 (7.3%) from feces. From these, 17 (33.3%), 1 (1.9%) and 3 (5.5%), respectively, showed multiple resistance to five or more drugs. fimH was observed in 90% or more of 158 isolates. papC was detected in 12 (23.5%) strains isolated from UTI, 19 (36.5%) from pyometra and 10 (18.2%) from feces. None strain expressed papGI, while papGII was observed in 3 (5.8%) strains of pyometra. papGIII was detected in 10(19.6%) strains of UTI, 15 (28.8%) from pyometra and 9 (16.4%) from feces. sfaS was observed in 22 (43.1%) strains of UTI, 24 (46.1%) of pyometra and 19 (34.5%) of feces. afa was identified in 1 (1.9%) strains isolated from UTI and pyometra...(Complete abstract, click electronic address below)