Prodigiosin from Vibrio sp. DSM 14379; A New UV-Protective Pigment

Abstract

Pigments such as melanin, scytonemin and carotenoids protect microbial cells against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The role in UV protection has never been assigned to the prodigiosin pigment. In this work, we demonstrate that prodigiosin provides a significant level of protection against UV stress in Vibrio sp. DSM 14379. In the absence of pigment production, Vibrio sp. was significantly more susceptible to UV stress, and there was no difference in UV survival between the wild-type strain and non-pigmented mutant. The pigment's protective role was more important at higher doses of UV irradiation and correlated with pigment concentration in the cell. Pigmented cells survived high UV exposure (324 J/m(2)) around 1,000-fold more successfully compared to the non-pigmented mutant cells. Resistance to UV stress was conferred to the non-pigmented mutant by addition of exogenous pigment extract to the growth medium. A level of UV protection equivalent to that exhibited by the wild-type strain was attained by the non-pigmented mutant once the prodigiosin concentration had reached comparable levels to those found in the wild-type strain. In co-culture experiments, prodigiosin acted as a UV screen, protecting both the wild-type and non-pigmented mutants. Our results suggest a new ecophysiological role for prodigiosin.

Prodigiosin - A Multifaceted Escherichia coli Antimicrobial Agent

“…The bacteria that do not have such homologues are prodigiosin sensitive. Prodigiosin as an antibacterial agent has high potential in biotechnological and medical applications [4–11], as well as in microbial ecology due to its ability to modulate bacterial ecophysiology [12,17–19]. It was shown that prodigiosin impregnated to cellulose matrix effectively removes E .…”

“…coli is not known, the conflicting data of prodigiosin antibacterial action are difficult to reconcile. As several ecopysiological roles of prodigiosin have been proposed for bacteria such as air dispersal of bacteria [24], metabolic sink for NAD(P)H or proline [25], storage of light energy [17], anion exchange [18], energy spilling function [26] and UV protection [19], it is possible that antimicrobial activity is not the result of prodigiosin aiming at a single cell target, but in turn may have a pleiotropic effect on E . coli physiology.…”

Prodigiosin found in Serratia marcescens y2 initiates phototoxicity in the cytomembrane

“…This red pigment can be produced by S. marcescens and other microorganisms, such as Zooshikella rubidus, Vibrio sp., Streptomyces griseoviridis, and Hahella chejuensis (Lewis and Corpe, 1964;Song et al 2006;Huh et al 2007;Alihosseini et al 2008;Kawasaki et al 2008;Kim et al 2008;Borić et al 2011;Lee et al 2011). Prodigiosin has great potential for clinical and environmental application owing to its reported characteristics of having anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-protozoal/anti-malarial, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative activity (Williamson et al 2005).…”

Effect of low power microwave radiation on pigment production in bacteria

“…9 The red-pigmented prodiginines are bioactive secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms like Serratia marcescens and Vibrio sp. 10 These pigments are known to possess immunosuppressive and anticancer properties. 11 Prodigiosin have potential applications in textiles, cosmetics, etc.…”