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Microorganisms
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An Update on Bacillus
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An Update on Bacillus

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 10763

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shihui Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Interests: Anthrax toxin; Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus cereus; Bacterial toxins; hemolysin; pathogen-host interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bacillus cereus group species, including Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis, are medically important human and animal pathogens that cause severe anthrax disease as well as foodborne diseases. This Special Issue of Microorganisms aims to provide a scientific platform for scientists performing fundamental, applied and translational research related to the Bacillus cereus group species. This Special Issue will include original studies, reviews and method papers on these Bacillus pathogens related to their genomics, gene regulation, sporulation, exotoxins, structural biology, bacteria–host interactions, animal models, vaccines, ecology, epidemiology, etc. In addition, studies on rapid diagnostics, decontamination, therapeutics of the Bacillus-related diseases and case reports are also welcome.

Dr. Shihui Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Bacillus anthracis
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Bacillus thuringiensis exotoxin
  • non-hemolytic enterotoxin
  • hemolysin
  • pathogenicity
  • pathogen–host interaction
  • foodborne diseases

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 2692 KiB  
Article
Intestinal Production of Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor by Bacillus coagulans Spores
by Hee-Woong Kim, Soo-Young Choi, Deug-Chan Lee and Hae-Ik Rhee
Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1462; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11061462 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1063
Abstract
This study examines the possibility of directly producing and utilizing useful substances in the intestines of animals using anaerobic bacteria that can grow in the intestines of animals. A facultative anaerobe producing a large amount of α-glucosidase inhibitor was isolated from hay and [...] Read more.
This study examines the possibility of directly producing and utilizing useful substances in the intestines of animals using anaerobic bacteria that can grow in the intestines of animals. A facultative anaerobe producing a large amount of α-glucosidase inhibitor was isolated from hay and identified and named Bacillus coagulans CC. The main compound of α-glucosidase inhibitor produced by Bacillus coagulans CC was identified as 1-deoxynojirimycin. α-glucosidase inhibitor activity was confirmed in the intestinal contents and feces of mice orally administered with spores of this strain, and it was confirmed that this strain could efficiently reach the intestines, proliferate, and produce α-glucosidase inhibitors. As a result of administering Bacillus coagulans CC to mice at 109 cells per 1 kg body weight of spores for 8 weeks, the high-carbohydrate diet and the high-fat diet showed a 5% lower weight gain compared to the non-administrated group. At this point, in the spore-administered group, a decrease was observed in both the visceral and subcutaneous fat layers of the abdomen and thorax in both high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet groups compared to the non-administered group on computed tomography. The results of this study show that α-glucosidase inhibitors produced in the intestine by specific strains can work efficiently. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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16 pages, 7237 KiB  
Article
GroEL Secreted from Bacillus subtilis Natto Exerted a Crucial Role for Anti-Inflammatory IL-10 Induction in THP-1 Cells
by Taisuke Uesugi, Suguru Mori, Kazuhiko Miyanaga and Naoyuki Yamamoto
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1281; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11051281 - 14 May 2023
Viewed by 2039
Abstract
Although diverse immunomodulatory reactions of probiotic bacteria have been reported, this effect via Bacillus subtilis natto remains unclear, despite its long consumption history in Japan and usage in Natto production. Hence, we performed a comparative analysis of the immunomodulatory activities of 23 types [...] Read more.
Although diverse immunomodulatory reactions of probiotic bacteria have been reported, this effect via Bacillus subtilis natto remains unclear, despite its long consumption history in Japan and usage in Natto production. Hence, we performed a comparative analysis of the immunomodulatory activities of 23 types of B. subtilis natto isolated from Natto products to elucidate the key active components. Among the isolated 23 strains, the supernatant from B. subtilis strain 1 fermented medium showed the highest induction of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and pro-inflammatory IL-12 in THP-1 dendritic cells (THP-1 DC) after co-incubation. We isolated the active component from strain 1 cultured medium and employed DEAE-Sepharose chromatography with 0.5 M NaCl elution for fractionation. IL-10-inducing activity was specific to an approximately 60 kDa protein, GroEL, which was identified as a chaperone protein and was significantly reduced with anti-GroEL antibody. Differential expression analysis of strains 1 and 15, which had the lowest cytokine-producing activity, showed a higher expression of various genes involved in chaperones and sporulation in strain 1. Furthermore, GroEL production was induced in spore-forming medium. The present study is the first to show that the chaperone protein GroEL, secreted by B. subtilis natto during sporulation, plays a crucial role in IL-10 and IL-12 production in THP-1 DC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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14 pages, 16748 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Industrial Bacillus Species as Potential Probiotics for Dietary Supplements
by Beata Łubkowska, Joanna Jeżewska-Frąckowiak, Michał Sroczyński, Magdalena Dzitkowska-Zabielska, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Piotr M. Skowron and Paweł Cięszczyk
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 488; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11020488 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3491 | Correction
Abstract
So far, Bacillus species bacteria are being used as bacteria concentrates, supplementing cleaning preparations in order to reduce odor and expel pathogenic bacteria. Here, we discuss the potential of Bacillus species as ‘natural’ probiotics and evaluate their microbiological characteristics. An industrially used microbiological [...] Read more.
So far, Bacillus species bacteria are being used as bacteria concentrates, supplementing cleaning preparations in order to reduce odor and expel pathogenic bacteria. Here, we discuss the potential of Bacillus species as ‘natural’ probiotics and evaluate their microbiological characteristics. An industrially used microbiological concentrates and their components of mixed Bacillus species cultures were tested, which may be a promising bacteria source for food probiotic preparation for supplementary diet. In this study, antagonistic activities and probiotic potential of Bacillus species, derived from an industrial microbiological concentrate, were demonstrated. The cell free supernatants (CFS) from Bacillus licheniformis mostly inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150, Salmonella Enteritidis KCCM 12021, and Staphylococcus aureus KCCM 11335, while some of Bacillus strains showed synergistic effect with foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, Bacillus strains identified by the MALDI TOF-MS method were found sensitive to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and rifampicin. B. licheniformis and B. cereus displayed the least sensitivity to the other tested antibiotics, such as ampicillin, ampicillin and sulfbactam, streptomycin, and oxacillin and bacitracin. Furthermore, some of the bacterial species detected extended their growth range from the mesophilic to moderately thermophilic range, up to 54 °C. Thus, their potential sensitivity to thermophilic TP-84 bacteriophage, infecting thermophilic Bacilli, was tested for the purpose of isolation a new bacterial host for engineered bionanoparticles construction. We reason that the natural environmental microflora of non-pathogenic Bacillus species, especially B. licheniformis, can become a present probiotic remedy for many contemporary issues related to gastrointestinal tract health, especially for individuals under metabolic strain or for the increasingly growing group of lactose-intolerant people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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17 pages, 1734 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Bacillus cereus Strains Isolated from Baby Wipes
by Laurenda Carter, Mei-Chiung J. Huang, Kyuyoung Han, Jayanthi Gangiredla, Jenny Yee, Hannah R. Chase, Flavia Negrete and Ben D. Tall
Microorganisms 2022, 10(9), 1779; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10091779 - 03 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1611
Abstract
Bacillus cereus, a ubiquitous environmental microorganism known to cause foodborne illness, was isolated from samples taken from imported baby wipes from two different countries. These strains were characterized using a comprehensive molecular approach involving endpoint PCR, whole genome sequencing (WGS), comparative genomics, [...] Read more.
Bacillus cereus, a ubiquitous environmental microorganism known to cause foodborne illness, was isolated from samples taken from imported baby wipes from two different countries. These strains were characterized using a comprehensive molecular approach involving endpoint PCR, whole genome sequencing (WGS), comparative genomics, and biochemical analyses. A multiplex endpoint PCR assay was used to identify the enterotoxins: hemolysin BL, nonhemolytic enterotoxin, cytotoxin K, and enterotoxin FM toxin genes. Phylogenetically, the strains clustered into two major groups according to sequence type (ST) and singleton. We used the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) GalaxyTrakr BTyper computational tool to characterize the strains further. As an additional means of characterization, we investigated the possible role of carbohydrate transport systems and their role in nutrient uptake by performing a BLAST analysis of the 40 B. cereus genomes recovered from baby wipes. This study outlines a multifaceted workflow that uses the analysis of enterotoxigenic potential, bioinformatics, genomic diversity, genotype, phenotype, and carbohydrate utilization as a comprehensive strategy to characterize these B. cereus strains isolated from baby wipes and further our understanding of the phylogenetic relatedness of strains associated with baby wipe production facilities that could potentially pose an infection risk to a vulnerable infant population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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Review

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14 pages, 2908 KiB  
Review
Applications of Bacillus subtilis Protein Display for Medicine, Catalysis, Environmental Remediation, and Protein Engineering
by Asieh Mahmoodi and Edgardo T. Farinas
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 97; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms12010097 - 03 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1126
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis spores offer several advantages that make them attractive for protein display. For example, protein folding issues associated with unfolded polypeptide chains crossing membranes are circumvented. In addition, they can withstand physical and chemical extremes such as heat, desiccation, radiation, ultraviolet light, [...] Read more.
Bacillus subtilis spores offer several advantages that make them attractive for protein display. For example, protein folding issues associated with unfolded polypeptide chains crossing membranes are circumvented. In addition, they can withstand physical and chemical extremes such as heat, desiccation, radiation, ultraviolet light, and oxidizing agents. As a result, the sequence of the displayed protein can be easily obtained even under harsh screening conditions. Next, immobilized proteins have many economic and technological advantages. They can be easily separated from the reaction and the protein stability is increased in harsh environments. In traditional immobilization methods, proteins are expressed and purified and then they are attached to a matrix. In contrast, immobilization occurs naturally during the sporulation process. They can be easily separated from the reaction and the protein stability is increased in harsh environments. Spores are also amenable to high-throughput screening for protein engineering and optimization. Furthermore, they can be used in a wide array of biotechnological and industrial applications such as vaccines, bioabsorbants to remove toxic chemicals, whole-cell catalysts, bioremediation, and biosensors. Lastly, spores are easily produced in large quantities, have a good safety record, and can be used as additives in foods and drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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Other

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3 pages, 192 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Łubkowska et al. Analysis of Industrial Bacillus Species as Potential Probiotics for Dietary Supplements. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 488
by Beata Łubkowska, Joanna Jeżewska-Frąckowiak, Michał Sroczyński, Magdalena Dzitkowska-Zabielska, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Piotr M. Skowron and Paweł Cięszczyk
Microorganisms 2023, 11(7), 1716; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms11071716 - 30 Jun 2023
Viewed by 500
Abstract
There was an error in the original publication [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Bacillus)
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