Shigella flexneri: Difference between revisions

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''Shigella flexneri'' causes infection via a Type III secretion system. The secretion system acts as a "biological syringe" that injects a protein called Ipa into epithelial cells. Ipa induces the endocytosis of the bacterium and the subsequent lysis of the vacuolar membrane that releases the bacterium into the cytoplasm, where the bacterium proliferates.
''Shigella flexneri'' causes infection via a Type III secretion system. The secretion system acts as a "biological syringe" that injects a protein called Ipa into epithelial cells. Ipa induces the endocytosis of the bacterium and the subsequent lysis of the vacuolar membrane that releases the bacterium into the cytoplasm, where the bacterium proliferates.


''Shigella flexneri'' is a facultative anaerobe.
''Shigella flexneri'' is a facultative anaerobe. It makes ATP via aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen and via fermentation in the absence of oxygen.





Revision as of 08:16, 2 May 2007

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

Template:Biorealm genus

Classification

Gram-negative entero-invasive bacterium


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Enterobacteriales; Enterobacteriaceae.

Strains: Shigella flexneri 1a. Shigella flexneri 1b. Shigella flexneri 2a. Shigella flexneri 2a strain 2457T. Shigella flexneri 2a strain 301. Shigella flexneri 3a. Shigella flexneri 3b. Shigella flexneri 5. Shigella flexneri 5 strain 8401. Shigella flexneri 5a. Shigella flexneri 6. Shigella flexneri Y.


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.

Genus

Shigella flexneri


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.

Description and significance

Shigella flexneri is a non-motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium that is physiologically similar to Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii, and Escherichia coli. It is important because it causes shigellosis, an acute bloody diarrhea. Shigella flexneri is the most common cause of the endemic form of shigellosis, and the endemic form is the cause of most Shigellosis-related deaths. While not much of a problem in developed countries, Shigella flexneri (specifically Shigella flexneri 2a) is a major public health concern in developing countries. Shigella was recognized as the cause of bacillary dysentery in the 1890s by Shiga, hence the genus name. Shigella flexneri 2a strain 301 was isolated and sequenced by Jin et al. They isolated the bacterium from a shigellosis patient in China in 1984. The chromosomal and plasmid libraries were separately constructed via random shotgun sequencing.


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Treponema denticola is a motile, slender, helically shaped flexible organism. It is made up of a periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath. It's habitat is anaerobic and host-associated. It grows at an optimal temperature of 30-42°C, with a pH of 6.5-8.0. It is commonly found in the human oral cavity, specifically in subgingival dental plaque, and it is often associated with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results in inflammation of the gum tissue, bone resorbtion, and subsequent tooth loss. Periodontal disease has now become a major concern in dentistry and 80% of adults in the USA are estimated to have had periodontal disease at some point in their lives. The complete genome of T. denticola strain 35405 was sequenced by using the random shotgun method described for genomes sequenced by The Institute for Genomic Research and it was designated as the type strain by Chan et al.


Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.

Genome structure

Shigella flexneri 2a strain 301 has a complete genome. It consists of a single, 4,607,203 bp dsDNA chromosome and a 221,618 bp virulence plasmid (pCP301). The chromosome has 314 IS elements. The virulence plasmid encodes virulence determinants including invasion plasmid antigens (Ipa) and the Mxi-Spa type III secretion apparatus, but the chromosome also contributes to virulence. Virulence involves a complex regulatory interplay between the chromosome and the virulence plasmid.

Shigella flexneri's physiological similarity to Escherichia coli could very well have an evolutionary basis. A recent genetic analysis suggests that Shigella may not be a genus because its species may have independent origins from Escherichia coli somewhere between 35,000 and 270,000 years ago.

Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?


Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 has a complete genome. It is made up of dsDNA and 1 chromosome. It is circular and the length is 2,843,201 nucleotides. The GC content is 37%. It has 2838 genes. Replicon Type: chromosome.

Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.

Cell structure and metabolism

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is found on the surface of Shigella flexneri. It is the repeating sugar portion (O-antigen) of LPS that defines each serotype. This polysaccharide specificity can be used to target specific serotypes of Shigella (see "Current Research").

Shigella flexneri causes infection via a Type III secretion system. The secretion system acts as a "biological syringe" that injects a protein called Ipa into epithelial cells. Ipa induces the endocytosis of the bacterium and the subsequent lysis of the vacuolar membrane that releases the bacterium into the cytoplasm, where the bacterium proliferates.

Shigella flexneri is a facultative anaerobe. It makes ATP via aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen and via fermentation in the absence of oxygen.


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

The genome reveals factors mediating coaggregation, cell signaling, and stress protection. It has a spiral shape and is arranged in singles. It is a mobile organism but does not contain any endospores. Motility is by rapid rotation around the long axis, flexation of the cell and locomotion along a helical path. The most distinctive property is the presence of periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath.

Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.

Ecology

Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

In humans and in other primates, Shigella flexneri causes an acute bloody diarrhea known as shigellosis or bacillary dysentery. Aside from bloody diarrhea, other symptoms include fever and stomach cramps. The bleeding is due to destruction of the intestines. The bacteria destroy the intestinal epithelium, then continue to break down the intestinal mucosa in the cecum and rectum. The condition can be fatal if not treated, and early diagnosis is important to effective therapy. Shigella flexneri is not susceptible to dapsone, but it is susceptible to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (AKA Bactrim or Septra). However, antibiotic should be used only for severe cases since antibiotic resistance is on the rise.

Infection typically occurs via ingestion. Once internalized, Shigella flexneri survives within human hosts by causing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in macrophages while inhibiting apoptosis in epithelial cells. A protein called IpaB activates caspase 1 in macrophages, and the caspase cascade leads to apoptosis. However, the bacterium uses other mechanisms to inhibit apoptosis in epithelial cells (see "Current Research").


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Treponema denticola is a bacterial pathogen and plant plastid. It causes periodontal disease and gum inflammation.


How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.

Application to Biotechnology

Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

The suppressed immune systems of AIDS patients make them more vulnerable to diarrhea caused by Shigella flexneri. However, an intensive handwashing regimen can be used to lower the incidence of diarrhea.

Shigella flexneri 2a can be quickly detected from stool samples. The detection test involves a dipstick coated with monoclonal antibodies specific for Shigella flexneri 2a LPS, which includes a repeating, branched pentasaccharide as part of its O-antigen.

Shigella flexneri appears to be able to inhibit apoptosis in epithelial cells. HeLa cells infected with Shigella flexneri resisted apoptosis after exposure to staurosporine, whereas uninfected cells appeared apoptotic. Infected cells had cytochrome c release and activated caspase 9 but no activated caspase 3, suggesting that Shigella flexneri inhibits caspase 3 activation. The bacteria must invade, have a functional type III secretion system, and have a functioning mxiE gene to block apoptosis in epithelial cells. mxiE encodes a transcriptional activator for intracellullar genes, some of which are presumably involved in apoptosis inhibition.


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


--template--

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

Huang, D. B., and J. Zhou. 2007. "Effect of intensive handwashing in the prevention of diarrhoeal illness among patients with AIDS: a randomized controlled study." Journal of Medical Microbiology, vol. 56, no. 5. (659-663)

Nato, F., A. Phalipon, L. P. Nguyen, T. T. Diep, P. Sansonetti, and Y. Germani. 2007. "Dipstick for Rapid Diagnosis of Shigella flexneri 2a in Stool." PLoS ONE, vol. 2, no. 4. (e361)

Clark, C. S., and A. T. Maurelli. 2007. "Shigella flexneri Inhibits Staurosporine-Induced Apoptosis in Epithelial Cells." Infection and Immunity, vol. 75, no. 5. (2531-2539)

Jin, Q., Yuan, Z., Xu, J., Wang, Y., Shen, Y., Lu, W., Wang, J., Liu, H., Yang, J., Yang, F., Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Yang, G., Wu, H., Qu, D., Dong, J., Sun, L., Xue, Y., Zhao, A., Gao, Y., Zhu, J., Kan, B., Ding, K., Chen, S., Cheng, H., Yao ,Z., He, B., Chen, R., Ma, D., Qiang, B., Wen, Y., Hou, Y., and Yu, J. 2002. "Genome sequence of Shigella flexneri 2a: insights into pathogenicity through comparison with genomes of Escherichia coli K12 and O157." Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 30, no. 20 (4432-4441)

example:

Glockner, F. O., M. Kube, M. Bauer, H. Teeling, T. Lombardot, W. Ludwig, D. Gade, A. Beck, K Borzym, K Heitmann, R. Rabus, H. Schlesner, R. Amann, and R. Reinhardt. 2003. "Complete genome sequence of the marine planctomycete Pirellula sp. strain 1." Proceedings of the National Acedemy of Sciences, vol. 100, no. 14. (8298-8303)


Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.


NCBI: Taxonomy