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Extracellular Streptomyces lividans vesicles: composition, biogenesis and antimicrobial activity
Hildgund Schrempf1, Philipp Merling1
1FB Biology/Chemistry, Applied Genetics of Microorganisms, University Osnabrück, Barbarastr. 13, D-49069, Osnabrück, Germany.
Microbial Biotechnology
|April 9, 2015
Summary
Streptomyces lividans produces extracellular vesicles with antimicrobial properties. These vesicles, containing lipids and undecylprodigiosin, damage fungi and bacteria, suggesting novel applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Filamentous bacteria like Streptomyces lividans produce extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- The biogenesis and functions of these EVs are not fully understood.
- Understanding EV production is crucial for exploring their potential applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biogenesis and antimicrobial activities of EVs from Streptomyces lividans.
- To characterize the composition and properties of these EVs.
- To explore the potential environmental and applied implications of these findings.
Main Methods:
- In situ imaging of EVs using fluorescent dyes and vancomycin derivatives.
- Analysis of vesicle composition, including lipids, phospholipids, and secondary metabolites like undecylprodigiosin.
- Assessing the antimicrobial effects of EVs on fungal (Aspergillus proliferans, Verticillium dahliae) and bacterial (Escherichia coli) species.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct EV size populations (110-230 nm and 20-60 nm) that form clusters.
- Undecylprodigiosin in EVs enables in vivo monitoring via red fluorescence.
- EVs originate from hyphal sites with high peptidoglycan precursor levels and low cross-linked peptidoglycan, correlating with increased anionic phospholipids and lipids.
- EVs demonstrated significant damage to Aspergillus proliferans, Verticillium dahliae, and induced clumping/distortion in Escherichia coli.
- EVs contain enzymes, signal transduction components, and undecylprodigiosin, contributing to their antimicrobial activity.
Conclusions:
- Streptomyces lividans EVs are produced at specific hyphal sites characterized by altered cell wall synthesis.
- The EVs possess potent antimicrobial activities against various fungi and bacteria.
- These findings offer novel insights into bacterial vesicle biology with potential environmental and biotechnological applications.
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