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Urease activity in the genus Bifidobacterium

F Crociani, D Matteuzzi

    Annales De Microbiologie
    |May 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    Bifidobacterium species, particularly B. suis, exhibit strong urease activity. This urease enzyme appears constitutively produced and is not repressed by ammonia, suggesting a significant role in bacterial metabolism.

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    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Enzymology
    • Bacterial Physiology

    Background:

    • Bifidobacterium are important gut bacteria.
    • Urease enzyme activity is found in various bacteria.
    • The urease activity in Bifidobacterium is not well-characterized.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To survey urease activity across numerous Bifidobacterium strains and species.
    • To investigate factors influencing urease production, such as urea and nitrogen levels.
    • To determine if urease production is inducible or repressed by ammonia.

    Main Methods:

    • Screening of 414 Bifidobacterium strains from 21 species for urease activity.
    • Culturing ureolytic strains under varying urea and organic nitrogen concentrations.
    • Testing the effect of ammonia on urease activity.

    Main Results:

    • Strongest urease activity was observed in Bifidobacterium suis, with some activity in B. breve, B. magnum, and the "subtile" homology group.
    • Urea and organic nitrogen concentrations did not affect urease production.
    • High urease activity persisted even without urea, indicating it is not inducible.
    • Ammonia at 14 mM did not inhibit urease activity.

    Conclusions:

    • Bifidobacterium suis is a highly ureolytic species.
    • Bifidobacterium urease is likely constitutively expressed and not influenced by substrate availability or ammonia presence.
    • The constitutive urease activity suggests a potentially important physiological role for this enzyme in Bifidobacterium.

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