Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cell surface pili in Gram positive bacteria have been reported to orchestrate the colonization of host tissues, evasion of immunity and the development of biofilms. So far, little if any information is available on the presence of pi...

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Main Authors: Zhang Ziding, Viappiani Alice, O’Connell Motherway Mary, Bottacini Francesca, He Fei, Turroni Francesca, Amidani Davide, Serafini Fausta, Foroni Elena, Rivetti Claudio, van Sinderen Douwe, Ventura Marco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-08-01
Series:Microbial Cell Factories
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spelling doaj-e9baa8fa9e254c19b4335c84bb486c012020-11-25T01:10:20ZengBMCMicrobial Cell Factories1475-28592011-08-0110Suppl 1S1610.1186/1475-2859-10-S1-S16Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>Zhang ZidingViappiani AliceO’Connell Motherway MaryBottacini FrancescaHe FeiTurroni FrancescaAmidani DavideSerafini FaustaForoni ElenaRivetti Claudiovan Sinderen DouweVentura Marco<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cell surface pili in Gram positive bacteria have been reported to orchestrate the colonization of host tissues, evasion of immunity and the development of biofilms. So far, little if any information is available on the presence of pilus-like structures in human gut commensals like bifidobacteria.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>In this report, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) of various bifidobacterial strains belonging to <it>Bifidobacterium bifidum</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium longum</it> subsp. <it>longum</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium dentium</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</it> and <it>Bifidobacterium animalis</it> subsp. <it>lactis</it> revealed the existence of appendages resembling pilus-like structures. Interestingly, these microorganisms harbour two to six predicted pilus gene clusters in their genome, with each organized in an operon encompassing the major pilin subunit-encoding gene (designated <it>fim</it>A or <it>fim</it>P) together with one or two minor pilin subunit-encoding genes (designated as <it>fim</it>B and/or <it>fim</it>Q), and a gene encoding a sortase enzyme (<it>str</it>A). Quantitative Real Time (qRT)-PCR analysis and RT-PCR experiments revealed a polycistronic mRNA, encompassing the <it>fim</it>A/P and <it>fim</it>B/Q genes, which are differentially expressed upon cultivation of bifidobacteria on various glycans.</p>
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Zhang Ziding
Viappiani Alice
O’Connell Motherway Mary
Bottacini Francesca
He Fei
Turroni Francesca
Amidani Davide
Serafini Fausta
Foroni Elena
Rivetti Claudio
van Sinderen Douwe
Ventura Marco
spellingShingle Zhang Ziding
Viappiani Alice
O’Connell Motherway Mary
Bottacini Francesca
He Fei
Turroni Francesca
Amidani Davide
Serafini Fausta
Foroni Elena
Rivetti Claudio
van Sinderen Douwe
Ventura Marco
Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
Microbial Cell Factories
author_facet Zhang Ziding
Viappiani Alice
O’Connell Motherway Mary
Bottacini Francesca
He Fei
Turroni Francesca
Amidani Davide
Serafini Fausta
Foroni Elena
Rivetti Claudio
van Sinderen Douwe
Ventura Marco
author_sort Zhang Ziding
title Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
title_short Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
title_full Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
title_fullStr Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
title_full_unstemmed Genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>Bifidobacterium</it>
title_sort genetic analysis and morphological identification of pilus-like structures in members of the genus <it>bifidobacterium</it>
publisher BMC
series Microbial Cell Factories
issn 1475-2859
publishDate 2011-08-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cell surface pili in Gram positive bacteria have been reported to orchestrate the colonization of host tissues, evasion of immunity and the development of biofilms. So far, little if any information is available on the presence of pilus-like structures in human gut commensals like bifidobacteria.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>In this report, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) of various bifidobacterial strains belonging to <it>Bifidobacterium bifidum</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium longum</it> subsp. <it>longum</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium dentium</it>, <it>Bifidobacterium adolescentis</it> and <it>Bifidobacterium animalis</it> subsp. <it>lactis</it> revealed the existence of appendages resembling pilus-like structures. Interestingly, these microorganisms harbour two to six predicted pilus gene clusters in their genome, with each organized in an operon encompassing the major pilin subunit-encoding gene (designated <it>fim</it>A or <it>fim</it>P) together with one or two minor pilin subunit-encoding genes (designated as <it>fim</it>B and/or <it>fim</it>Q), and a gene encoding a sortase enzyme (<it>str</it>A). Quantitative Real Time (qRT)-PCR analysis and RT-PCR experiments revealed a polycistronic mRNA, encompassing the <it>fim</it>A/P and <it>fim</it>B/Q genes, which are differentially expressed upon cultivation of bifidobacteria on various glycans.</p>
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