Congo Red Interactions with Curli-Producing E. coli and Native Curli Amyloid Fibers

Microorganisms produce functional amyloids that can be examined and manipulated in vivo and in vitro. Escherichia coli assemble extracellular adhesive amyloid fibers termed curli that mediate adhesion and promote biofilm formation. We have characterized the dye binding properties of the hallmark amy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2015-10, Vol.10 (10), p.e0140388-e0140388
Main Authors: Reichhardt, Courtney, Jacobson, Amy N, Maher, Marie C, Uang, Jeremy, McCrate, Oscar A, Eckart, Michael, Cegelski, Lynette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amyloid - metabolism
Amyloid beta-protein
Bacteria
Bacterial Proteins - genetics
Bacterial Proteins - metabolism
Bacterial Proteins - ultrastructure
Binding
Biochemistry
Biofilms
Biosynthesis
Blotting, Western
Cell adhesion
Cell surface
Chemistry
Congo Red - metabolism
CsgA protein
Dissociation
Dyes
E coli
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - genetics
Escherichia coli - metabolism
Escherichia coli - ultrastructure
Fibers
Histidine
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Kinetics
Microorganisms
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Mutation
Observations
pH effects
Polymerization
Properties
Protein Binding
Proteins
Salmonella
Stains (Microscopy)
Surface Plasmon Resonance
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Summary:Microorganisms produce functional amyloids that can be examined and manipulated in vivo and in vitro. Escherichia coli assemble extracellular adhesive amyloid fibers termed curli that mediate adhesion and promote biofilm formation. We have characterized the dye binding properties of the hallmark amyloid dye, Congo red, with curliated E. coli and with isolated curli fibers. Congo red binds to curliated whole cells, does not inhibit growth, and can be used to comparatively quantify whole-cell curliation. Using Surface Plasmon Resonance, we measured the binding and dissociation kinetics of Congo red to curli. Furthermore, we determined that the binding of Congo red to curli is pH-dependent and that histidine residues in the CsgA protein do not influence Congo red binding. Our results on E. coli strain MC4100, the most commonly employed strain for studies of E. coli amyloid biogenesis, provide a starting point from which to compare the influence of Congo red binding in other E. coli strains and amyloid-producing organisms.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0140388