Expression of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor in Escherichia coli and Characterization of its Biological Activity

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) was successfully expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli system. This system was used OmpA signal sequence to produce soluble protein into the periplasm of E. coli. Human EGF (hEGF) synthesized in bacterial cell was found to be similar in size with the original protein and molecular weight approximately at 6.8 kDa. Cell proliferation assay was conducted to characterize the biological activity of hEGF on human dermal fibroblasts. The synthesized hEGF was found to be functional as compared with authentic hEGF in stimulating cell proliferation and promoting growth of cell. In comparison of biological activity between synthesized and commercial hEGF on cell proliferation, the results showed there was no significant different. This finding indicates the synthesized hEGF in E. coli system is fully bioactive in vitro.     

Metabolic viability of Escherichia coli trapped by dielectrophoresis in microfluidics

The spatial and temporal control of biological species is essential in complex microfluidic biosystems. In addition, if the biological species is a cell, microfluidic handling must ensure that the cell's metabolic viability is maintained. The use of DEP for cell manipulation in microfluidics has many advantages because it is remote and fast, and the voltages required for cell trapping scale well with miniaturization. In this paper, the conditions for bacterial cell (Escherichia coli) trapping using a quadrupole electrode configuration in a PDMS microfluidic channel were developed both for stagnant and for in‐flow fluidic situations. The effect of the electrical conductivity of the fluid, the applied electric field and frequency, and the fluid‐flow velocity were studied. A dynamic exchange between captured and free‐flowing cells during DEP trapping was demonstrated. The metabolic activity of trapped cells was confirmed by using E. coli cells genetically engineered to express green fluorescent protein under the control of an inducible promoter. Noninduced cells trapped by negative DEP and positive DEP were able to express green fluorescent protein minutes after the inducer was inserted in the microchannel system immediately after DEP trapping. Longer times of trapping prior to exposure to the inducer indicated first a degradation of the cell metabolic activity and finally cell death.     

Study on the biological effect of Tourmaline on the cell membrane of E. coli

The biological effect of tourmaline on the cell membrane of E. coli by microcalorimetry, fluorescence polarization, ion analysis and fourier transform infrared was studied. It was observed that tourmaline of low concentration can promote growth of the bacteria, while tourmaline of high concentration has inhibitory effects on E. coli. Fluorescence polarization has shown a significant decrease in membrane fluidity and the increase of permeability of cell membrane. The ion analysis result suggested that the absorbability of nutrition from the medium becomes easier. Thus, E. coli grew faster in the presence of tourmaline than the native. With high concentration of tourmaline, however, the growth of E. coli was inhibited because the selective barrier of cell membrane for the bacteria was seriously damaged. Besides, changes of the spectral profile of E. coli were observed, which has shown the damages of surface groups on the cell membrane, which is the molecular basis for the biological effect of tourmaline. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polymeric phosphonium salts as a novel class of cationic biocides. III. Immobilization of phosphonium salts by surface photografting and antibacterial activity of the surface-treated polymer films

Immobilized polycationic biocides with phosphonium salt on the surface of poly(propylene) film were prepared by surface photografting and surface antibacterial activity of the resulting films against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was explored by the viable cell counting method. These films with phosphonium salts were found to exhibit high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli—particularly against E. coli. Furthermore, morphological changes of the cells of S. aureus and E. coli in contact with the immobilized phosphonium salt were estimated by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the immobilized biocides exhibited surface bactericidal activity against both strains as evidenced by shrunken and deformed cells of these species in contact with the immobilized biocides. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Antibacterial Properties of a Kind of Schiff Base and Its Neodymium(III) and Zn(II) Complex (ZnNdL) on Escherichia coli

The microcalorimetric and electronic microscopy methods were used to study the antibacterial activity of a Schiff base and its complex ZnNdL on Escherichia coli. The metabolic power‐time curves of the bacteria treated with the compounds were obtained, and the thermokinetic parameters were analyzed. The results show that the compounds (H₂L, ZnNdL) have good activity on aerobic multiplying metabolism of E. coli, with the values of IC₅₀ 57.0 and 54.4 mg·L^?1, respectively. In order to further investigate their mechanism on E. coli, transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electronic micrography were used to study the cell membrane change induced by the dibasic quadridentate Schiff base and its neodymium(III) complex. At a low concentration of the compound, the flagellum was inhibited and the cell did not show distinct changes. However, the flagella around the cell membrane were exfoliated, the morphology of E. coli was changed from a rod shape into a spherical shape or a short rod, and the flagella disappeared completely at a high concentration. The drug permeability into cell membrane was investigated by fluorescence quenching of probe dis‐C₃‐(5), which suggested that H₂L and ZnNdL could influence on the intra and extra cell membrane.     

GldA overexpressing-engineered E. coli as superior electrocatalyst for microbial fuel cells

Faster electron transfer between bacteria and electrodes in microbial fuel cells can significantly improve the power density of MFCs for practical applications. A recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain overexpressing glycerol dehydrogenase (GldA) was engineered as the MFC biocatalyst instead of the natural bacteria. Efficient mediators were produced in the fuel cell with this engineered E. coli resulting in lower polarization and much higher power density than with natural E. coli and E. coli with electro-evolved mediators. For the first time, we demonstrate that engineering E. coli by introduction of appropriate oxidoreductase via gene manipulation can greatly improve the rate of electron transfer. This work provides an efficient and economic approach to biologically engineering bacteria for improving MFC performance.     

Combination of analytical and microbiological techniques to study the antimicrobial activity of a new active food packaging containing cinnamon or oregano against E. coli and S. aureus

The aim of this work is the optimization and application of a group of analytical and microbiological techniques in the study of the activity of essential oils (EOs) incorporated in a new antimicrobial packaging material and the research in depth of the interaction between the microbial cells and the individual compounds present in the active material. For this purpose the antimicrobial activity of the active packaging containing cinnamon or oregano was evaluated against E. coli and S. aureus. The vapour phase activity and the direct contact between the antimicrobial agents themselves, or once incorporated in the packaging material, and the microbial cells have been studied. The direct contact was studied using a broth dilution method. The vapour phase was evaluated by using a new method which involves the use of a filter disk containing the EOs. Furthermore, the kill time assay was used to determine the exposure time for the maximum efficiency in packaging, and transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the antimicrobial activity and the possible mechanism of action against E. coli and S. aureus. Finally, the compounds absorbed by cells were identified. The results showed that the techniques used provide relevant information about the antibacterial activity of cinnamon and oregano in direct contact as well as in the vapour phase. The antimicrobial packaging showed a fast efficiency which supports its likely application as a food packaging material. Bacteria treated with EOs exhibit a wide range of significant abnormalities; these include formation of blebs, coagulation of cytoplasmatic constituents, collapse of the cell structure and lack of cytoplasmatic material. Some of these observations are correlated to the ability of some of these substances to disrupt envelop structure, especially the inner membrane. After an extraction from dead cells, cinnamaldehyde was detected by GC-MS in E. coli exposed to the active packaging containing cinnamon.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure,and biological activity of the copper complex

This work reports the synthesis and biological activity of the copper complex with 2–thenoyltrif-luoroacetone (HTTA). The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex exists as a parallelogram with four coordination sites occupied by the carbonyl oxygen atoms from HTTA. The antibacterial activity test shows that the complex exhibits better antibacterial ability against Escherichia coli and Staphylociccus aureus (MIC were about 180, 150 μg/ml, respectively) and can be considered as broad-spectral antimicrobial. The antitumor activity of the copper(II) complex is tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays against human Leukemia cells K562. The copper(II) complex exhibits potent antitumor effects against K562 cell lines. The IC₅₀ value of the complex is about 0.01 μg/ml. The research shows that the complex can inhibit K562 tumor cell growth and generation and induce apoptosis. The inhibition ratio is accele by increasing the dosage and has a significant positive correlation with medication dosage.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activities of a dinuclear copper(II) complex with bis(2-[(2-hydroxy-ethylimino)-methyl]-4,6-diiodo-phenol)

A dinuclear copper(II) complex with a newly synthesized tridentate Schiff-base ligand 2-[(2-hydroxy-ethylimino)-methyl]-4,6-diiodo-phenol (HL), of formula [Cu₂L₂Cl₂?·?C₄H₈O] (1), was prepared. Both the ligand and the complex were characterized by X-ray crystallography, confirming that the Schiff base is tridentate and its dinuclear copper(II) complex is five-coordinate from one nitrogen and two oxygens from L and two chlorides. The complex was assayed for antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae) activities by the MTT method. Complex 1 exhibited better antimicrobial activity than the ligand.     

微量热研究几种新型吡啶酰胺希夫碱对大肠杆菌的抑制作用

用微量热研究一系列新型吡啶酰胺希夫碱对大肠杆菌的抑制作用, 不同的吡啶酰胺希夫碱衍生物对大肠杆菌生长的抑制作用不同. 通过热动力学模型计算得到生长速率常数(k)和抑制率(I), 我们获得了吡啶酰胺希夫碱衍生物的抗菌作用效果. 通过药物作用于细菌处于生长对数期的实验发现, 有两种化合物(F和G)对大肠杆菌生长有非常好的抑制作用, 他们的半抑制浓度(IC50)分别是0. 106 和0. 113 g/L, 但是药物对大肠杆菌的无氧发酵过程抑制作用比较差. 通过进一步分析药物结构与药物半抑制浓度, 我们发现: 希夫碱衍生物的亲水性对其抗菌活性有很大的影响, 这主要是由细菌的细胞膜结构不同所致. 对希夫碱及其碱衍物的结构与抗菌活性关系进行了初步探讨, 它们对大肠杆菌的抗菌活性顺序为: F＞G＞C＞D＞E＞B＞A.     

Continuous production of L-aspartic acid

For the continuous production ofl-aspartic acid from fumaric acid and ammonia by the action of aspartase, the enzyme extracted fromEscherichia coli orE. coli cells having high aspartase activity were immobilized by various methods. In 1973 we succeeded in the industrial production ofl-aspartic acid usingE. coli cells immobilized with polyacrylamide gel. For the improvement of this process, we developed a novel technique using κ-carrageenan as the immobilizing matrix forE. coli cells. Further, EAPc-7 strain, having higher aspartase activity, was contracted from the parentE. coli by continuous cultivation with a definite medium. The aspartase activity was about seven times higher than that of the parent cells. In 1982 we changed from the conventional method to the improved method, using EAPc-7 strain immobilized with κ-carrageenan.     

Polymeric phosphonium salts as a novel class of cationic biocides. V. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of polyesters releasing phosphonium biocides

Polyesters were prepared which retained phosphonium biocides as counter ions of sodium sulfonate moieties incorporated into the polymers, and surface antibacterial activity of the polyester films against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was explored. These films exhibited a high surface antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, particularly against S. aureus, and the activity was affected by the structure and the compositional ratio of the phosphonium salts. Amount of the released phosphonium salts was very small, so that liberation of the phosphonium biocides can be expected to occur over a long period. Morphological changes of the cells of S. aureus and E. coli in contact with the polyester films were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the surface antibacterial activity of the polyester films was rather bacteriostatic than bactericidal as evidenced by no morphological changes of the bacterial cells in contact with the phosphonium biocides © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cloning and expression of L-asparaginase gene in Escherichia coli

The L-asparaginase (ASN) from Escherichia coli AS1.357 was cloned as a DNA fragment generated using polymerase chain reaction technology and primers derived from conserved regions of published ASN gene sequences. Recombinant plasmid pASN containing ASN gene and expression vector pBV220 was transformed in different E. coli host strains. The activity and expression level of ASN in the engineering strains could reach 228 IU/mL of culture fluid and about 50% of the total soluble cell protein respectively, more than 40-fold the enzyme activity of the wild strain. The recombinant plasmid in E. coli AS1.357 remained stable after 72h of cultivation and 5h of heat induction without selective pressure. The ASN gene of E. coli AS1.357 was sequenced and had high homology compared to the reported data.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and antibacterial activities of two cobalt(III) complexes

Syntheses, structures, and antimicrobial activities of cobalt(III) complexes with two tetradentate Schiff-base ligands, (BA)₂en?=?bis(benzoylacetone)ethylenediimine dianion and (acac)₂en?=?bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediimine dianion, and two axial pyridines (py) have been investigated. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of the complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that both complexes have distorted octahedral environments, Schiff-base ligand coordinates cobalt in four equatorial positions, and the two axial positions are occupied by pyridines. The pyridines and Schiff-base ligands are involved in N–H···O hydrogen bonds with perchlorate. Biological activities of the ligands and metal complexes have been studied on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis by the well diffusion method. The activity data show the metal complexes to be more potent than the parent ligand against two bacterial species.     

Real‐Time Monitoring of New Delhi Metallo‐β‐Lactamase Activity in Living Bacterial Cells by 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Disconnections between in vitro responses and those observed in whole cells confound many attempts to design drugs in areas of serious medical need. A method based on 1D ¹H NMR spectroscopy is reported that affords the ability to monitor the hydrolytic decomposition of the carbapenem antibiotic meropenem inside Escherichia coli cells expressing New Delhi metallo‐β‐lactamase subclass 1 (NDM‐1), an emerging antibiotic‐resistance threat. Cell‐based NMR studies demonstrated that two known NDM‐1 inhibitors, L ‐captopril and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), inhibit the hydrolysis of meropenem in vivo. NDM‐1 activity in cells was also shown to be inhibited by spermine, a porin inhibitor, although in an in vitro assay, the influence of spermine on the activity of isolated NDM‐1 protein is minimal. This new approach may have generic utility for monitoring reactions involving diffusible metabolites in other complex biological matrices and whole‐cell settings, including mammalian cells.     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial,and nuclease activity studies of some metal Schiff-base complexes

A Schiff base (L) is prepared by condensation of cuminaldehyde and L-histidine, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectra. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of this Schiff-base ligand are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, mass, IR, electronic spectra, magnetic moment, electron spin resonance (ESR), CV, TG/DTA, powder XRD, and SEM. The conductance data indicate that all the complexes are 1 : 1 electrolytes. IR data reveal that the Schiff base is a tridentate monobasic donor, coordinating through azomethine nitrogen, imidazole nitrogen, and carboxylato oxygen. The electronic spectral data and magnetic measurements suggest that Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes are tetrahedral, while Cu(II) complex has distorted square planar geometry. XRD and SEM show that Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes have crystalline nature, while the Ni(II) complex is amorphous and the particles are in nanocrystalline phase. The in vitro biological activities of the synthesized compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus; and fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans by the disc diffusion method. The biological study indicates that complexes exhibit more activity than the ligand. The nuclease activity of the ligand and its complexes are assayed on CT DNA using gel electrophoresis in the presence and the absence of H₂O₂. The Cu(II) complex shows increased nuclease activity in the presence of an oxidant when compared to the ligand, Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes.     

Optimization of Human Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (hGM-CSF) Expression Using Asparaginase and Xylanase Gene’s Signal Sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The toxicity of the recombinant protein towards the expression host remains a significant deterrent for bioprocess development. In this study, the expression of human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF), which is known to be toxic to its host, was enhanced many folds using a combination of genetic and bioprocess strategies in Escherichia coli. The N terminus attachment of endoxylanase and asparaginase signal sequences from Bacillus subtilis and E. coli, respectively, in combination with and without His-tag, considerably improved expression levels. Induction and media optimization studies in shake flask cultures resulted in a maximal hGM-CSF concentration of 365 mg/L in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs) with a specific product yield (Y _P/X) of 120 mg/g dry cell weight in case of the asparaginase signal. Culturing the cells in nutrient rich Terrific broth maintained the specific product yields (Y _P/X) while a 6.6-fold higher volumetric concentration of both product and biomass was obtained. The purification and refolding steps were optimized resulting in a 95% pure protein with a fairly high refolding yield of 45%. The biological activity of the refolded protein was confirmed by a cell proliferation assay on hGM-CSF dependent human erythroleukemia TF-1 cells. This study demonstrated that this indeed is a viable route for the efficient production of hGM-CSF.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and antimicrobial activity of macrocyclic Schiff-base copper(II) complexes containing polycrystalline nanosized grains

Schiff-base copper(II) complexes were prepared using macrocyclic ligands, synthesized by condensation of diethylmalonate with Schiff bases derived from o-phenylenediamine and Knoevenagel condensed β-ketoanilides (obtained by the condensation of acetoacetanilide and substituted benzaldehydes). The ligands and their copper complexes were characterized by microanalytical, mass, UV–Vis, IR, ¹H-NMR, ESR and CV studies, as well as conductivity data. Microanalytical, mass and magnetic moment analyses are consistent with formation of monomeric [CuL]Cl₂. Spectral studies indicate square-planar geometry around copper. The smaller grain sizes found from XRD data suggest that these complexes are polycrystalline with nanosized grains. The SEM images of [CuL¹]Cl₂ have leaf-like morphology. The in vitro biological screening of the investigated compounds against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola and Candida albicans were tested by the well diffusion method to assess growth inhibition. A comparative study of MIC values of the Schiff-base ligands and their complexes indicate that the complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands.     

Sol-Gel Entrapment of Escherichia coli

Whole cell bacteria have been entrapped within sol-gel silica matrices in order to perform bio-catalytic experiments. Escherichia coli have been chosen as a model for sol-gel encapsulation. Transmission electron microscopy shows that bacteria are randomly dispersed within the silica matrix and that their cellular organization is preserved. The -galactosidase activity of entrapped E. coli was studied using p-NPG as a substrate. The formation of p-nitrophenol was followed by optical absorption. These experiments show that E. coli still exhibit noticeable enzymatic activity after encapsulation in wet gels. They follow the well known Michaelis-Menten kinetic law but their activity decreases in dried xerogels.     

Cellular Uptake of a Polypyridyl Ruthenium Complex Revealed Using a Fluorescent Rhodamine‐modified Ruthenium Complex

A fluorescent polypyridyl ruthenium complex was successfully prepared using an amide bond linkage to link two rhodamine moieties through bipyridine groups. Although photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) quenched the fluorescent intensity, the quantum yield of the rhodamine‐modified Ru(II) complex was 0.17 in water, sufficient for observing the fluorophore behaviour in biological systems. The rhodaminemodified Ru(II) complex was found to inhibit the bacterial growth of E. coli. In vitro fluorescence images of human hepatoma cells (SK‐Hep1) showed that a fluorescent polypyridyl ruthenium complex not only supported the above observation but also preferably accumulated in the cytoplasmic region inside the cell. These observations suggest that in addition to strong Ru–DNA interactions, Ru‐protein interactions in the cytoplasmic regions are strong and are therefore important to the development of metallopharmaceuticals.