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Bacterial role in silicate mineral alteration in near-neutral pH conditions
Duchoslav, Vojtěch ; Falteisek, Lukáš (advisor) ; Seydlová, Gabriela (referee)
It is well established that bacteria are able to catalyze dissolution of silicate minerals. Bacteria may dissolve silicates for two different purposes. They may use certain elements that can undergo redox transitions as substrates for their energetic metabolism or they can leach nutrients, that are otherwise unaccessible in their habitat. The main mechanisms of bacterially mediated silicate leaching are acidic or basic catalysis and surface complexation. The main nutrients extracted are K, Mg, P and Fe. The only element significantly exploited as substrate for dissimilative energetic metabolism is iron. In order to leach iron as a nutrient, even extremely strong complexants (i.e. siderophores) may be employed. However, only moderate complexing agents can serve to obtain iron as terminal electron acceptor. The second possibility is to reduce iron directly in the crystal grid by means of the conductive nanofibres. The oxidative dissolution of silicates by chemoautotrophs is rare, in contrast to that of sulfides. Bacterial dissolution of silicates leaves morphological and geochemical signatures, but it is still problematic to recognize and interpret them. Although it is well-known that bacteria can dissolve most of the rock-forming minerals in diverse environments we are unable to quantify their contribution...
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Role of MDR transporters in yeast biofilm resistance
Urbanová, Daniela ; Palková, Zdena (advisor) ; Seydlová, Gabriela (referee)
This work is focused on multidrug resistance transporters (MDR) and their role in the drug resistance of yeast biofilms. Biofilms are structured microbial communities that are markedly different from planktonic cells. Biofilm cells produce extracellular matrix and display other typical characteristics related to their enormous resistance to antimicrobial agents. MDR pumps contribute to higher resistance of biofilms only during early phases of biofilm development; later, MDR pumps are substituted by many other mechanisms. Cdr1p, Cdr2p and Mdr1p are the most important MDR transporters of Candida albicans. Cdr1p and Cdr2p cause resistance to azoles - fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole, which have been widely used as drugs against yeast infections. Mdr1p contributes also to the resistance to fluconazole. Drug resistance causes considerable problems in the treatment of fungal infections. For this reason, it is so important to understand drug-resistance mechanisms of yeast communities. Keywords: resistance, MDR transporters, Candida albicans, biofilms
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Mechanism of surfactin self-resistance in the Bacillus subtilis cytoplasmatic membrane
Seydlová, Gabriela ; Svobodová, Jaroslava (advisor) ; Spížek, Jaroslav (referee) ; Julák, Alois (referee)
Surfactin, a lipopeptide surfactant and antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis, exhibits a strong membrane perturbation. One of the drawbacks hindering its commercial applications is the unknown mechanism of surfactin self-resistance in the producer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the self-protective mechanisms of the cytoplasmic membrane of B. subtilis against the deleterious effect of surfactin. In order to reach this task, two isogenic pairs of strains differing only in surfactin production were constructed. It was found out that the early response of the producer is realized by increasing the amount of total lipid content in the membrane already with the onset of surfactin synthesis. This process leads to lowering the surfactin-lipid ratio in the membrane. In parallel with the growing surfactin concentration the content of anionic phospholipids with cardiolipin as the major representative rises up to 24 % of the total. Together with the fall of phosphatidylethanolamine these changes promote the membrane stabilization and protect it against the interaction with surfactin. These alterations result in higher rigidity both of the polar head and hydrophobic chain region of the membrane as the steady state anisotropy of DPH and TMA-DPH showed. After 24 h of cultivation induction of...
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Effect of membrane lipid composition on resistance against surfactin
Pinkas, Dominik ; Seydlová, Gabriela (advisor) ; Sýkora, Jan (referee)
Surfactin is an antibiotic produced by several strains of B. subtilis. Its broad range of biological activities is interesting from perspective of medicine, food industry and bioremediation and is based on its surface-active properties and interaction with biological membranes. The latter means mainly forming ion channels, conductive pores and with increasing concentration eventually disrupting membrane structure in detergent-like manner. Mechanism of resistance of producing strain against its own toxic product is not yet fully understood. This work shows that it could be based on surfactin target modification - which means altering membrane lipid composition. We were able to recognize surfactin-formed ion channels or pores with a broad range of conductivities spanning from 2 pS to 2 nS using BLM method. Liposome leakage assay with carboxyfluorescein revealed few distinct mechanisms of lysis, differing in amplitude, rate of lysis and cooperativity. Increased content of anionic lipids with conical shape, namely cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid led to substantial increased membrane resistance to surfactin-induced permeabilization. Key words: membrane, surfactin, Bacillus subtilis, cardiolipin, black lipid membranes, liposomes
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