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Published on: February 22, 2019

Prophage induction by liver microsomal metabolites of aflatoxin B1 in lysogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa

I R Patel, K K Rao

    Acta Microbiologica Hungarica
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Microsomal aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolites induced prophage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AFB1 also significantly inhibited DNA synthesis in non-lysogenic bacteria.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Toxicology
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent mycotoxin known for its carcinogenic properties.
    • Lysogenic bacteria harbor temperate phages, which can be induced to replicate under certain conditions.
    • Understanding AFB1's effects on bacterial systems is crucial for public health and food safety.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of microsomal metabolites of AFB1 on a lysogenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
    • To determine the impact of AFB1 on bacterial growth, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.
    • To compare AFB1's effects on lysogenic versus non-lysogenic bacterial strains.

    Main Methods:

    • Exposure of lysogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa SM to varying concentrations of AFB1.
    • Measurement of culture turbidity to assess growth inhibition.
    • Quantification of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.
    • Determination of plaque-forming units (pfu) to quantify phage induction.
    • Comparative analysis using a non-lysogenic, sensitive bacterial strain.

    Main Results:

    • AFB1 at 50 µg/ml reduced bacterial turbidity by approximately 90% within 4 hours.
    • DNA synthesis was completely inhibited in the initial hour, followed by reappearance due to phage induction.
    • RNA and protein synthesis initially continued post-induction but ceased later.
    • Plaque-forming units increased significantly (approx. 90-fold) in the lysogenic strain.
    • In non-lysogenic strains, AFB1 inhibited DNA synthesis but allowed RNA and protein synthesis to increase.

    Conclusions:

    • Liver microsomal metabolites of AFB1 effectively induce prophage in lysogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
    • AFB1 significantly inhibits DNA synthesis in both lysogenic and non-lysogenic bacterial cells.
    • The differential effects on macromolecule synthesis highlight AFB1's complex interactions with bacterial genetic material and replication.

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