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Studies on Bd0934 and Bd3507, two secreted nucleases from bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, reveal sequential release of nucleases during the predatory cycle

Bukowska-Faniband, Ewa LU ; Andersson, Tilde LU and Lood, Rolf LU (2020) In Journal of Bacteriology 202(18).
Abstract

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is an obligate predatory bacterium that invades and kills a broad range of Gram-negative prey cells, including human pathogens. Its potential therapeutic application has been the subject of increased research interest in recent years. However, an improved understanding of the fundamental molecular aspects of the predatory life cycle is crucial for developing this bacterium as a “living antibiotic.” During intracellular growth, B. bacteriovorus secretes an arsenal of hydrolases, which digest the content of the host cell to provide growth nutrients for the predator, e.g., prey DNA is completely degraded by the nucleases. Here, we have, on a genetic and molecular level, characterized two secreted DNases from B.... (More)

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is an obligate predatory bacterium that invades and kills a broad range of Gram-negative prey cells, including human pathogens. Its potential therapeutic application has been the subject of increased research interest in recent years. However, an improved understanding of the fundamental molecular aspects of the predatory life cycle is crucial for developing this bacterium as a “living antibiotic.” During intracellular growth, B. bacteriovorus secretes an arsenal of hydrolases, which digest the content of the host cell to provide growth nutrients for the predator, e.g., prey DNA is completely degraded by the nucleases. Here, we have, on a genetic and molecular level, characterized two secreted DNases from B. bacteriovorus, Bd0934 and Bd3507, and determined the temporal expression profile of other putative secreted nucleases. We conclude that Bd0934 and Bd3507 are likely a part of the predatosome but are not essential for the predation, host-independent growth, prey biofilm degradation, and self-biofilm formation. The detailed temporal expression analysis of genes encoding secreted nucleases revealed that these enzymes are produced in a sequential orchestrated manner. This work contributes to our understanding of the sequential breakdown of the prey nucleic acid by the nucleases secreted during the predatory life cycle of B. bacteriovorus. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a major global concern with few available new means to combat it. From a therapeutic perspective, predatory bacteria constitute an interesting tool. They not only eliminate the pathogen but also reduce the overall pool of antibiotic resistance genes through secretion of nucleases and complete degradation of exogenous DNA. Molecular knowledge of how these secreted DNases act will give us further insight into how antibiotic resistance, and the spread thereof, can be limited through the action of predatory bacteria.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, Predatory bacteria, Predatosome, Secreted nucleases
in
Journal of Bacteriology
volume
202
issue
18
article number
e00150-20
publisher
American Society for Microbiology
external identifiers
  • scopus:85090069985
  • pmid:32601070
ISSN
0021-9193
DOI
10.1128/JB.00150-20
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e8d0a211-864c-4263-9134-c1088e6de0e3
date added to LUP
2020-09-25 14:58:58
date last changed
2024-04-03 14:56:50
@article{e8d0a211-864c-4263-9134-c1088e6de0e3,
  abstract     = {{<p>Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is an obligate predatory bacterium that invades and kills a broad range of Gram-negative prey cells, including human pathogens. Its potential therapeutic application has been the subject of increased research interest in recent years. However, an improved understanding of the fundamental molecular aspects of the predatory life cycle is crucial for developing this bacterium as a “living antibiotic.” During intracellular growth, B. bacteriovorus secretes an arsenal of hydrolases, which digest the content of the host cell to provide growth nutrients for the predator, e.g., prey DNA is completely degraded by the nucleases. Here, we have, on a genetic and molecular level, characterized two secreted DNases from B. bacteriovorus, Bd0934 and Bd3507, and determined the temporal expression profile of other putative secreted nucleases. We conclude that Bd0934 and Bd3507 are likely a part of the predatosome but are not essential for the predation, host-independent growth, prey biofilm degradation, and self-biofilm formation. The detailed temporal expression analysis of genes encoding secreted nucleases revealed that these enzymes are produced in a sequential orchestrated manner. This work contributes to our understanding of the sequential breakdown of the prey nucleic acid by the nucleases secreted during the predatory life cycle of B. bacteriovorus. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a major global concern with few available new means to combat it. From a therapeutic perspective, predatory bacteria constitute an interesting tool. They not only eliminate the pathogen but also reduce the overall pool of antibiotic resistance genes through secretion of nucleases and complete degradation of exogenous DNA. Molecular knowledge of how these secreted DNases act will give us further insight into how antibiotic resistance, and the spread thereof, can be limited through the action of predatory bacteria.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bukowska-Faniband, Ewa and Andersson, Tilde and Lood, Rolf}},
  issn         = {{0021-9193}},
  keywords     = {{Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus; Predatory bacteria; Predatosome; Secreted nucleases}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{18}},
  publisher    = {{American Society for Microbiology}},
  series       = {{Journal of Bacteriology}},
  title        = {{Studies on Bd0934 and Bd3507, two secreted nucleases from bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, reveal sequential release of nucleases during the predatory cycle}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JB.00150-20}},
  doi          = {{10.1128/JB.00150-20}},
  volume       = {{202}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}