The on-site labeling and localization tracking of membrane proteins in pathogenic bacteria are tedious work. In order to develop a novel protein labeling technology at super resolution level (nanometer scale) using the photoactivatable localization microscopy (PALM), the chimeric protein of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the photoactivatable mEos2m protein were expressed in the non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis. The recombinant bacteria were fixed on slide, activated by 405 nm laser and subject to PALM imaging to capture photons released by the fusion protein. Meanwhile, colony and cell morphology were visualized under regular fluorescent stereomicroscope and upright fluorescent microscope to characterize fluorescence conversion and protein localization. The fusion proteins formed a "belt"-like structure on cell membrane of M. smegmatis under PALM, providing direct evidence of on-site imaging of membrane proteins. Expression of fusion protein did not compromise the localization properties of OmpA. Thus, mEos2m could be used as a labeling probe to track localizations of non-oligomer oriented membrane proteins. This indicates non-pathogenic M. smegmatis could be served as a model strain to characterize the function and localization of the proteins derived from pathogenic M. tuberculosis. This is the first report using PALM to characterize localization of membrane proteins.
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Light ; Microscopy ; methods ; Mycobacterium smegmatis ; chemistry ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; methods ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Stochastic Processes

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin found in commodities such as corn and corn-originated products. An aptamer-based method for detection of FB1 was developed using the fluorescent dye PicoGreen, which can recognize and bind double-stranded DNA. A peak fluorescence of PicoGreen was obtained in 15 min in the presence of FB1 aptamer, which formed a double-stranded hybridizer DNA with its complementary strand. The excitation and emission wavelengths for PicoGreen detection were 480 nm and 520 nm, respectively. The sensitivity of this aptamer/PicoGreen-based method was 0.1 μg/L. This method showed a good linearity for FB1 concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1 μg/L. The entire detection procedure for FB1 could be completed within 40 min. No cross reactions were observed with any other mycotoxins against aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, citrinin and zearalenone, demonstrating high specificity towards FB1 aptamer. Agreement between commercial, antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and aptamer method was excellent with a kappa value of 0.857. Taken together, this aptamer/PicoGreen-based method is more cost-effective, time-saving and useful than ELISA for detection of FB1.
Aflatoxin B1 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Fumonisins ; analysis ; Mycotoxins ; analysis ; Ochratoxins ; Organic Chemicals ; chemistry ; Staining and Labeling ; Zea mays

We aimed to obtain the recombinant aminopeptidase encoded by Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) gene lmo1711, and characterized the enzyme. First, the amino acid sequences of Lmo1711 from L. monocytogenes EGD-e and its homologues in other microbial species were aligned and the putative active sites were analyzed. The putative model of Lmo1711 was constructed through the SWISS-MODEL Workspace. Then, the plasmid pET30a-Lmo1711 was constructed and transformed into E. coli for expression of the recombinant Lmo1711. The his-tagged soluble protein was purified using the nickel-chelated affinity column chromatography. With the amino acid-p-nitroaniline as the substrate, Lmo1711 hydrolyzed the substrate to free p-nitroaniline monomers, whose absorbance measured at 405 nm reflected the aminopeptidase activity. The specificity of Lmo1711 to substrates was then examined by changing various substrates, and the effect of metal ions on the catalytic efficiency of this enzyme was further determined. Based on the bioinformatics data, Lmo1711 is a member of the M29 family aminopeptidases, containing a highly conserved catalytic motif (Glu-Glu-His-Tyr-His-Asp) with typical structure arrangements of the peptidase family. The recombinant Lmo1711 with a size of about 49.3 kDa exhibited aminopeptidase activity and had a selectivity to the substrates, with the highest degree of affinity for leucine-p-nitroaniline. Interestingly, the enzymatic activity of Lmo1711 can be activated by Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and is strongly stimulated by Co²⁺. We here, for the first time demonstrate that L. monocytogenes lmo1711 encodes a cobalt-activated aminopeptidase of M29 family.