Microbial Genetics 6
Microbial Genetics 6
Microbial Genetics 6
Prokaryotic Genome: -Most prokaryotic genes are carried on the bacterial chromosome, a single circle containing about 4000 kbp of DNA. -Many bacteria contain additional genes on plasmids. -Plasmid is an extra-circular supercoiled DNA that carry some important genes.
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-Genes essential for bacterial growth are carried on chromosome, and plasmid carry genes of specialized functions. Examples on plasmid genes: 1- E. coli plasmids carry genes responsible for sucrose and citrate uptake. 2- Pseudomonas species plasmids carry genes responsible for degradation of octane, and salicylic acid. Transposons are genetic elements that contain several kbp of
Mutation:
Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that greatly enhanced by exposure to mutagens. Types of Mutations: 1- Base Substitution. 2- Deletion. 3- Insertions 4- Inversion.
Genetic Transfer:
-Transfer of DNA among prokaryotes is widespread between different strains of same species. -DNA transfer makes a major contribution to the remarkable genetic diversity of bacteria. Mechanisms of Gene Transfer: 1- Conjugation. 3- Transformation.
2- Transduction.
Conjugation: plasmids are the genetic elements most frequently transferred by conjugation. Conjugation is a mechanism by which genes ( plasmids) will be transferred from one bacterial cell to another by a mean of Sex pili.
Conjugation:
n
Transduction:
Transduction is a phage-mediated genetic transfer.
In this process, a fragment of bacterial DNA present in bacteriophage will be transferred to another bacterial cell by means of infection.
The phage viruses will infect the second bacterium forming plaques.
Transduction:
n
Transformation:
Transformation is a change of cellular phenotype due to direct uptake of specific gene or incorporation of that gene inside host cell Chromosome by electrical shock (electroporation).
2-Fimbriae or Pili:
Microbial adhesion to the host cell surface. Adhesion could be also enhanced by receptor-antigen interaction.
3-Microbial Enzymes:
Collagenase enzyme enhances microbial invasion; due to degradation of extracellular matrix components. Urease: Neutralization of acidic pH ( urine, stomach).
4-Bacteria Toxins: A-Exotoxins: - Well known poisonous substances. - Chemical nature: Proteins (two polypeptide components). - Almost all are Heat-labile at 60 C. - Intracellular toxin fraction could: 1-inhibit cellular protein biosynthesis. 2-Cause ionic imbalance and loss of water. 3-inhibit the release of neurotransmitters. B-Endotoxins: -Chemical nature: Lipopolysaccharide, the component of Grams negative bacterial outer membrane. -Heat-Stable at 100 C.
5-The microbial Hemolysin: -Degradation of RBCs, Hemoglobin and NADH will be released. 6-The microbial Haemagglutinine and Coagulase enzyme: -Agglutination of RBCs; the microbe escapes Humoral immunity. 7-The microbial Beta-Lactamases: -Some microbes have ability to resist antibiotics due to production of Beta-Lactamase enzymes.
Cultural Characteristics: -Staphylococcus species are facultative anaerobic bacteria. -All species grow best on nutrient agar and blood agar, forms large yellow to creamy colonies. -Staphylococcus aureus is often hemolytic on blood agar. - Mannitol salt agar is a selective media for Staphylococcus species.
-It can grow at a temperature range of 15-45 C, and NaCl concentration as high as 15%.
Mannitol Fermentation:
Staphylococcus aureus ferments Mannitol. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a non-Mannitol fermenter.
1- Enzymes: leukocidin, hemolysins, catalase, and leukotoxins. 2-Surface proteins and Microcapsule. 3-Toxins: A- Exfoliative toxin (dermatotoxin): scaled skin syndrome. B- Toxic shock toxin-1: toxic shock syndrome. C- Enterotoxins: food poisoning.
Streptococcus species:
- Gram positive cocci 0.5-1.0m in diameter, occur in pairs and in short chains. - None-motile, none- spore formers, some strains are capsulated. - All species are catalase negative. - Strict anaerobes and facultative anaerobes.
Cultural characteristics: They grow best on Thayer-Martin Medium, Chocolate agar supplemented by vancomycin and nystatin. Optimum growth occur under microaerophilic conditions ( 5-10%) CO2 at 35-36C in a moist atmosphere. -Both factor X and V (hemoglobin, NAD) are required for Neissereiae species cultivation. -Colonies of N. meningitidis are grey, and slightly convex of 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter. In 8-24 hours old culture ,colonies of N. gonorrhoeae are rough with crenate margin.
Cultural characteristics and Biochemical activities: All Neissereriae species are oxidase positive. N. gonorrhoeae ferments glucose, While N. meningitidis ferments glucose and maltose.