Article
Microbiology
Julie A. Lovchik, Douglas S. Reed, Julie A. Hutt, Fangfang Xia, Rick L. Stevens, Thero Modise, Eileen M. Barry, Terry H. Wu
Summary: The study revealed variations in virulence and genetic differences among different SCHU S4 strains, with NR-643 and FTS-635 showing lower virulence compared to other strains. Therefore, it is recommended that NR-643/FTS-635 be clearly designated as a separate SCHU S4 substrain and no longer used in studies evaluating potential vaccines and therapeutics.
Article
Immunology
Stuart Cantlay, Christian Kaftanic, Joseph Horzempa
Summary: This study found that PdpC plays a crucial role in the infection process of F. tularensis. It acts as an effector protein of the T6SS, involved in phagolysosomal escape and intracellular replication within host macrophages. Additionally, PdpC has been shown to participate in bacteria invasion of erythrocytes, and the reintroduction of PdpC can rescue the invasion ability.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brady A. Travis, Kathryn M. Ramsey, Samantha M. Prezioso, Thomas Tallo, Jamie M. Wandzilak, Allen Hsu, Mario Borgnia, Alberto Bartesaghi, Simon L. Dove, Richard G. Brennan, Maria A. Schumacher
Summary: This study reveals a unique mechanism for Ft pathogenesis involving a virulence-specialized RNAP that employs two (MglA-SspA)-based strategies to activate virulence genes.
Article
Microbiology
J. Wayne Conlan, Anders Sjostedt, H. Carl Gelhaus, Perry Fleming, Kevan McRae, Ronald R. Cobb, Roberto De Pascalis, Karen L. Elkins
Summary: This study explores the potential biological threat posed by Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis (Ftt) and the development of a novel live vaccine against Ftt. The research identified a mutant strain, SCHU S4 Delta clpB, that outperformed the current unlicensed live vaccine strain (LVS) in a mouse model. SCHU S4 Delta clpB has undergone manufacturing, safety, and efficacy testing, and the necessary steps for further development are detailed in the study.
Article
Microbiology
P. Todd Benziger, Erik J. Kopping, Patrick A. McLaughlin, David G. Thanassi
Summary: This study investigates the host apoptotic responses to F. tularensis and identifies the signaling pathways that are modulated by the bacteria to delay apoptosis and promote virulence. The findings reveal the mechanisms by which intracellular pathogens subvert host responses and enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of tularemia.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jana Klimentova, Pavel Rehulka, Ivona Pavkova, Klara Kubelkova, Jan Bavlovic, Jiri Stulik
Summary: The study compares the proteomic composition of OMV and membrane fractions from two strains of Francisella tularensis, proposing a novel approach for cross-species proteomic comparison. By consecutively comparing the subproteomes of the two strains, differences in protein amounts caused by global expression changes can be distinguished from those caused by preferential protein packing into OMV or membranes.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Nasibeh Mohammadi, Helena Lindgren, Masahiro Yamamoto, Amandine Martin, Thomas Henry, Anders Sjostedt
Summary: The study found that the control of BMDM infection with F. tularensis LVS or F. novicida is GBP-dependent, whereas SCHU S4 was only controlled during co-infection. The results imply that SCHU S4 has an inherent ability to evade the GBP-dependent anti-bacterial mechanisms, despite similar expression of GBPs regardless of the infecting agent.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Briana Zellner, Dominique Mengin-Lecreulx, Brenden Tully, William T. Gunning, Robert Booth, Jason F. Huntley
Summary: Francisella tularensis is an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes tularemia, a zoonotic disease. These intracellular pathogens have developed mechanisms to survive in macrophages and neutrophils, including the recycling and repair of the bacterial cell wall, primarily composed of peptidoglycan. The enzyme responsible for converting peptidoglycan tetrapeptide stems to tripeptide stems in F. tularensis, L,D-carboxypeptidase A (LdcA), plays a crucial role in cell morphology, membrane integrity, and virulence.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Beth A. Bachert, Joshua B. Richardson, Kevin D. Mlynek, Christopher P. Klimko, Ronald G. Toothman, David P. Fetterer, Andrea E. Luquette, Kitty Chase, Jessica L. Storrs, Ashley K. Rogers, Christopher K. Cote, David A. Rozak, Joel A. Bozue
Summary: Researchers have characterized a panel of virulent F. tularensis strains for vaccine testing, finding high genomic similarity but also unique mutations and unexpected diversity within some strains. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the strains as challenge strains for future vaccine development efforts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zhuo Ma, Matthew Higgs, Maha Alqahtani, Chandra Shekhar Bakshi, Meenakshi Malik
Summary: This study reveals the important role of thioredoxin TrxA1 in the oxidative stress response of Francisella tularensis and its regulation of the master regulator oxyR. TrxA1 is also essential for the intracellular survival and growth of Francisella. These findings provide novel insights into the oxidative stress defense mechanisms of Francisella tularensis.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dina Marghani, Zhuo Ma, Anthony J. Centone, Weihua Huang, Meenakshi Malik, Chandra Shekhar Bakshi
Summary: This study elucidates the role of the osrR transcriptional regulator in the pathogenesis of tularemia caused by F. tularensis. The osrR regulator specifically regulates the oxidative and global stress response, virulence, metabolism, and other key pathways genes required by Francisella when exposed to oxidative stress. Understanding such regulatory mechanisms will help identify potential targets for developing effective therapies and vaccines to prevent tularemia.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan Felix, Claire Siebert, Julia Novion Ducassou, Jerome Nigou, Pierre Simon Garcia, Angelique Fraudeau, Karine Huard, Caroline Mas, Celine Brochier-Armanet, Yohann Coute, Irina Gutsche, Patricia Renesto
Summary: This study characterized the lysine decarboxylase in F. novicida, demonstrating its involvement in oxidative stress response and identifying it as a potential drug target for survival in host cells. The research also analyzed the impact of ldcF deletion on bacterial growth under different stress conditions and in infected macrophages, revealing key proteins affected by the deletion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mateja Ozanic, Valentina Marecic, Masa Knezevic, Ina Kelava, Pavla Stojkova, Lena Lindgren, Jeanette E. Broms, Anders Sjostedt, Yousef Abu Kwaik, Marina Santic
Summary: Francisella tularensis is a highly pathogenic bacterium that causes tularemia. The bacterium encodes a type 4 pili (T4P) system, which is important for adherence to host cells, protein secretion, and virulence. The PilO protein plays an essential role in pilus assembly, adherence to human macrophages, effector protein secretion, and intracellular replication. A pilO mutant is attenuated for virulence in mice and shows impaired phagosomal escape and replication in lung, liver, and spleen.
Article
Microbiology
Hannah S. Trautmann, Sierra S. Schmidt, Steven T. Gregory, Kathryn M. Ramsey, Laurie E. Comstock
Summary: The composition of ribosomes can vary, leading to changes in protein synthesis. In the human pathogen Francisella tularensis, a variant of a ribosomal protein called bS21-2 affects protein abundance and may preferentially translate specific mRNAs. This variant can function by interacting with specific leader sequences and indirectly through the RNA-binding protein Hfq. These findings highlight the role of ribosome composition in regulating gene expression and protein synthesis.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Brandi E. Hobbs, Courtney A. Matson, Vasileios Theofilou, Tonya J. Webb, Rania H. Younis, Eileen M. Barry
Summary: The FptA and FptF proteins of Ft are crucial for pathogenesis and modulation of host immune response, and LVS Delta fptA and LVS Delta fptF vaccine strains are highly attenuated and provide effective protection against lethal challenge.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gretchen N. Wiese, Annabel Biruete, Ranjani N. Moorthi, Sharon M. Moe, Stephen R. Lindemann, Kathleen M. Hill Gallant
Summary: High circulating TMAO is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in CKD patients. Plant-based diets may help reduce TMAO production, but further clinical studies are needed to verify their efficacy.
JOURNAL OF RENAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica C. Stark, Thapakorn Jaroentomeechai, Tyler D. Moeller, Jasmine M. Hershewe, Katherine F. Warfel, Bridget S. Moricz, Anthony M. Martini, Rachel S. Dubner, Karen J. Hsu, Taylor C. Stevenson, Bradley D. Jones, Matthew P. DeLisa, Michael C. Jewett
Summary: Conjugate vaccines are effective in preventing bacterial infections, and the iVAX technology developed for in vitro synthesis of vaccines offers portability and rapid production advantages. Vaccines synthesized by iVAX can effectively protect mice from lethal bacterial challenges, promising to accelerate the development of new conjugate vaccines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael T. Madigan, Megan L. Kempher, Kelly S. Bender, Deborah O. Jung, W. Matthew Sattley, Stephen R. Lindemann, Allan E. Konopka, Alice C. Dohnalkova, James K. Fredrickson
Summary: Hot Lake is a unique heliothermal and hypersaline lake in Washington State, USA, with MgSO4 as the dominant salt rather than NaCl. Research has shown that green sulfur bacteria in the lake are able to grow in high temperatures, potentially providing dissolved organic matter and bioavailable nitrogen to the lake.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Arianna D. Romero Marcia, Tianming Yao, Ming-Hsu Chen, Renee E. Oles, Stephen R. Lindemann
Summary: Increased dietary fiber consumption can enhance human gut microbial diversity, with differences in carbohydrate linkage structure governing compositional and functional responses of microbiota independently of sugar composition. Despite individual metabolic outputs from identical glucans, certain operational taxonomic units (OTUs) show similar growth responses across individuals' microbiota, indicating efficient competition for specific structures by certain taxa.
Article
Microbiology
Chengdong Xu, Sneha P. Couvillion, Ryan L. Sontag, Nancy G. Isern, Yukari Maezato, Stephen R. Lindemann, Taniya Roy Chowdhury, Rui Zhao, Beau R. Morton, Rosalie K. Chu, Ronald J. Moore, Janet K. Jansson, Vanessa L. Bailey, Paula J. Mouser, Margaret F. Romine, James F. Fredrickson, Thomas O. Metz
Summary: MetFish is a method for analyzing metabolites and chemicals in hypersaline samples, allowing for direct LC-MS-based exometabolomics analysis. It provides high sensitivity and accuracy, with low limits of quantification, broad linear dynamic ranges, and low interday reproducibility. The method has been successfully applied in various microbial community analyses, demonstrating its versatility and reliability for metabolomics in high-salt environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke-Qin Gong, Carmen Mikacenic, Matthew E. Long, Charles W. Frevert, Timothy P. Birkland, Jean Charron, Sina A. Gharib, Anne M. Manicone
Summary: Inhibition of MAP2K2 can improve acute lung injury (ALI) and deficiency of MAP2K2 can accelerate the resolution of ALI. Genetic variants in MAP2K2 are associated with mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). MAP2K2 plays an important role in promoting and sustaining proinflammatory pathway activation in ALI.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sainan Zhao, Bruce S. Dien, Stephen R. Lindemann, Ming-Hsu Chen
Summary: Autohydrolysis is used to produce xylan-derived oligosaccharides from lignocellulosic biomass. Studies show that optimizing autohydrolysis conditions for different plants can affect the structural properties and impact on intestinal bacterial communities. In vitro fermentation of beechwood xylan (BWX)-derived substrates processed under different conditions produced varying fermentation kinetics and impacted community species evenness. This suggests that autohydrolysis parameters can influence the beneficial effects of xylan-derived fibers on human gut microbiota.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Severine P. Parois, Susan D. Eicher, Stephen R. Lindemann, Jeremy N. Marchant
Summary: Recent study investigated the effects of a synbiotic supplement on behavior and memory in piglets. Results showed that piglets supplemented with synbiotic performed better in memory tests and exhibited differences in microbiota composition. This suggests a potential link between gut microbiota and memory abilities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anthony M. Martini, Bridget S. Moricz, Laurel J. Woods, Bradley D. Jones
Summary: Streptococcus sanguinis plays a crucial role in infective endocarditis, and the type IV pili produced by this pathogen are identified as important virulence factors. These pili affect the pathogen's ability to adhere to host cells, colonize the aortic endothelium, and form platelet-dependent biofilms. The research findings suggest that targeting type IV pili could be a potential strategy for the treatment of infective endocarditis caused by S. sanguinis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anam Nasir, Waqar Ahmad, Fazal Sattar, Iram Ashfaq, Stephen R. Lindemann, Ming-Hsu Chen, Wim Van den Ende, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Onur Kirtel, Shazia Khaliq, Muhammad A. Ghauri, Munir A. Anwar
Summary: A new Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus paralicheniformis LB1-1A, producing a levan with low branching and high molecular weight, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Buffalo grass, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yu Wang, Cassi N. Uffelman, Robert E. Bergia, Caroline M. Clark, Jason B. Reed, Tzu-Wen L. Cross, Stephen R. Lindemann, Minghua Tang, Wayne W. Campbell
Summary: Emerging research indicates the importance of gut microbiota in mediating the relationship between meat intake and human health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the available scientific literature on this topic and found that meat intake has differential effects on gut microbiota composition, but the patterns of microbial responses vary across studies. More well-designed prospective studies and full-feeding RCTs are needed to further investigate the relationships and effects of consuming different meat subtypes on gut microbiota.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elanur Dastan, Omer F. Celik, Orhan Bas, Zafer Bulut, Stephen R. Lindemann, Mehmet I. Tugay, Muhammet Degermenci, Beyza Suvarikli-Alan, Mehmet Nizamlioglu, Yunus E. Tuncil
Summary: This study investigated the impact of hazelnut dietary fiber on colonic microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids. The results showed that hazelnut dietary fiber increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria and stimulated the production of beneficial microbial metabolites. Additionally, hazelnut skin was found to have potential for producing functional dietary fiber targeting colonic health.
Proceedings Paper
Automation & Control Systems
Poonam Phalak, Hans C. Bernstein, Stephen R. Lindemann, Ryan S. Renslow, Dennis G. Thomas, Michael A. Henson, Hyun-Seob Song
Summary: Autotroph-heterotroph interactions are common in natural environments and play a crucial role in ecosystem functions. This study developed metabolic network models for two autotroph-heterotroph biofilm consortia and analyzed microbial interactions under varying environmental variables.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Matthew E. Long, Rama K. Mallampalli, Jeffrey C. Horowitz
Summary: Pneumonia and acute lung injury present challenges for healthcare professionals, and understanding their pathogenesis can help improve clinical interventions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Na Shen, Elise Cheng, John W. Whitley, Ryan R. Horne, Braden Leigh, Linjing Xu, Bradley D. Jones, C. Allan Guymon, Marlan R. Hansen
Summary: The study explores the use of zwitterionic coatings to reduce bacterial adhesion on PDMS surfaces, demonstrating that these coatings effectively decrease the attachment and growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The simple and durable photografting process can prevent infection of implantable medical devices, offering a new solution for biomedical materials.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)