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Interactions between bacteria and iron binding proteins

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Abstract

Growth inhibition due to iron deprivation of 118 strains of staphylococci, enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacteroides species was studied in vitro. Apo-transferrin (Tr), apo-lactoferrin (Lf) and a synthetic iron chelator (EDDA) were used as iron binding agents.

S. epidermidis was more inhibited than S. aureus. The majority of the enterobacteriaceae was inhibited by the highest concentrations of EDDA, Tr and Lf. Most bacteroides strains were inhibited by EDDA and all were inhibited by Tr and Lf at physiological concentrations. Production of bacterial iron chelators could be demonstrated in all strains growing at iron deprivation except for Streptococcus faecalis. In 8 out of 11 strains of Bacteroides cytochromes of type b and c could be demonstrated. In one strains iron deprivation resulted in disappearance of the cytochrome and a reduction of the growth yield. In Bacteroides the production of iron-chelators could not be related to virulence.

Kurzfassung

Die Wachstumshemmung nach Eisenentzug wurde bei 118 Stämmen von Staphylokokken, Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus faecalis und Bacteroides Spezies in vitro untersucht. Apo-transferrin (Tr), apo Laktoferrin (Lf) und eine synthetische Eisen-Chelat-Verbindung (EDDA) wurden als Eisen-bindende Agenzien verwendet.

S. epidermidis wurde stärker gehemmt als S. aureus. Die Mehrzahl der Enterobacteriaceaen wurden durch die höchsten Konzentrationen von EDDA, Tr und Lf gehemmt. Die meisten Bacteroides-Stämme liessen sich mit EDDA hemmen, bei allen trat eine Hemmung durch Tr und Lf in physiologischen Konzentrationen ein. Eine Produktion von bakteriellen Eisen-Chelat-Verbindungen konnte bei allen Stämmen beobachtet werden, die unter Eisenentzug gezüchtet wurden, mit Ausnahme von Streptococcus faecalis. Bei 8 von 11 Bacteroides-Stämmen waren Cytochrome von Typ b und Typ c nachweisbar. Bei einem Stamm resultierte der Eisenentzug im Verlust der Cytochrome und einer Reduktion des Wachstums. Bei Bacteroides liess sich die Produktion der Eisen-Chelat-Verbindungen nicht mit der Virulenz in Zusammenhang bringen.

Resume

L'étude in vitro de l'inhibition de la croissance de 118 souches de Staphylocoques, Entérobactéries, Streptococcus faecalis et Bactéroides par suppression de la fourniture de fer a été réalisée. L'Apo-transférrine (Tr), l'apo-lactoférrine (Lf) et un chelateur du fer synthétique (EDDA) ont été utilisés comme agents de fixation.

S. epidermidis était plus inhibé que S. aureus. La majorité des entérobactéries était inhibée par les concentrations les plus élevées d'EDDA, de Tr et de Lf. Beaucoup de souches de Bactéroïdes étant inhibées par EDDA et toutes étaient inhibées par Tr et Lf aux concentrations physiologiques. La production de chelateurs du fer vivant dans un milieu pauvre en fer sauf pour S. faecalis. Pour 8 des 11 souches de Bactéroïdes des cytochromes du type b et c ont été caractérisées. Pour une souche la suppression du fer a eu pour conséquence une disparition des cytochromes et une réduction de la croissance. Chez les Bactéroïdes la production de chelateurs du fer n'a pas de relation avec la virulence.

Riassunto

E' stata studiata in vitro l'inhibizione dello sviluppo, dovuta alla sottrazione del ferro, di 118 ceppi di stafilococchi, enterobatteriacee streptococcus faecalis e Bacteroides spp.

Come agenti leganti il ferro sono stati usati apo-transferrina (Tr), apo-lattoferrina (Lf) e un chelante sintetico del ferro (EDDA).

S. epidermidis è stato inibito più di S. aureus. La maggior parte delle enterobatteriaceee è state inhibito dalle concentrazioni più elevate di EDDA, Tr ed Lf. La maggioranza dei ceppi di Bacteroides è stata inibita da EDDA e tutti i ceppi sono stati inbiiti da Tr ed Lf in concentrazioni fisiologiche.

E' stato possibile dimostrare la produzione di agenti batterici chelanti il ferro in tutti i ceppi sviluppatisi in condizione di sottrazione di ferro eccetto che in Streptococcus faecalis.

In 8 su 11 ceppi di Bacteroides è stato possibile evidenziare citocromi di tipo b e c. In un ceppo la sottrazione di ferro ha provocato la scomparsa del citocromo ed una riduzione dello sviluppo.

In Bacteroides non è stato possibile mettere in relazione la produzione di chelanti del ferro con la virulenza.

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  1. Laboratory for Microbiology, Catharijnesingel 59, 3511 GG, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. H. Marcelis

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Marcelis, J.H. Interactions between bacteria and iron binding proteins. Vet Res Commun 4, 151–164 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02278494

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