Bacillus cereus Response to a Proanthocyanidin Trimer, a Transcriptional and Functional Analysis

Curr Microbiol. 2016 Jul;73(1):115-23. doi: 10.1007/s00284-016-1032-x. Epub 2016 Apr 9.

Abstract

Proanthocyanidins are abundant in peanut skin, and in this study, the antibacterial effects of a peanut skin extract (PSE) against food-borne bacteria were investigated to find its minimum inhibitory concentration. Food-borne gram-positive bacteria, and in particular Bacillus cereus, was more sensitive to PSE. In particular, the inhibitory activity of epicatechin-(4β → 6)-epicatechin-(2β → O→7, 4β → 8)-catechin (EEC), a proanthocyanidin trimer from peanut skin, against B. cereus was stronger than that of procyanidin A1, a proanthocyanidin dimer. DNA microarray analysis of B. cereus treated with EEC was carried out, with a finding that 597 genes were significantly up-regulated. Analysis of the up-regulated genes suggested that EEC disrupted the normal condition of the cell membrane and wall of B. cereus and alter its usual nutritional metabolism. Moreover, treatment of B. cereus with EEC inhibited glucose uptake, suggesting that EEC affects the cell-surface adsorption.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arachis / chemistry*
  • Bacillus cereus / drug effects*
  • Bacillus cereus / genetics
  • Bacillus cereus / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Proanthocyanidins / chemistry
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • proanthocyanidin