Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Igor A. Podolsky, Susanna Seppala, Haiqing Xu, Yong-Su Jin, Michelle A. O'Malley
Summary: The study identified a novel fungal SWEET transporter, NcSWEET1, from anaerobic fungi that can enhance glucose and xylose co-utilization. By constructing single cross-over chimeras and studying protein structure and function, enhanced variants were identified, offering potential applications in improving sugar transport efficiency.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francesco Fiorentino, Dante Rotili, Antonello Mai, Jani R. Bolla, Carol Robinson
Summary: A native mass spectrometry-based approach was developed to quantify the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the LPS transport protein LptH, leading to the identification of quinoline-based hit compounds for the development of novel LPS transport inhibitors. This method also provided new insights into the structure-activity relationships of antimicrobial peptides and small molecule disruptors.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rachel A. Conrad, Jason P. Evenhuis, Ryan S. Lipscomb, David Perez-Pascual, Rebecca J. Stevick, Clayton Birkett, Jean-Marc Ghigo, Mark J. McBride
Summary: Flavobacterium columnare, a costly pathogen in the freshwater fish-farming industry, produces siderophores for iron uptake. This study identifies genes involved in iron uptake and reveals their importance for growth under iron-limited conditions. Mutants with deletions in these genes showed decreased virulence but still caused infection. Survivors of exposure to these mutants were partially protected against later infection by the wild-type pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Thushani D. Nilaweera, David A. Nyenhuis, David S. Cafiso
Summary: Pulse EPR measurements on the E. coli vitamin B-12 transporter BtuB revealed that substrate binding causes a structural transition in the protein, shifting an extracellular substrate binding loop towards the periplasm, regulated by an ionic lock broken upon TonB binding. This structural transition was not observed when BtuB was reconstituted into phospholipid bilayers, suggesting an alternative to existing models of transport and emphasizing the importance of studying outer membrane proteins in their native environment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyosuke Yamamoto, Nao Yamamoto, Shotaro Ayukawa, Yoshiaki Yasutake, Koji Ishiya, Nobutaka Nakashima
Summary: This study investigated the cellular uptake of hydrophobic and large-scaffold antibiotics and other compounds in Gram-negative bacteria by modulating the expression of outer membrane lipoprotein and efflux protein genes. The results showed that gene deletion and silencing approaches can improve the uptake efficiency of these compounds. The findings suggest potential applications in therapeutic and biotechnological fields.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ping Li, Niloofar Nayeri, Kamil Gorecki, Eva Ramos Becares, Kaituo Wang, Dhani Ram Mahato, Magnus Andersson, Sameera S. Abeyrathna, Karin Lindkvist-Petersson, Gabriele Meloni, Julie Winkel Missel, Pontus Gourdon
Summary: The study characterizes the structure and function of the outer membrane component PcoB in the Pco system, revealing its role in ion-conducting pathway and a potential unorthodox defense mechanism against metal stress.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hiroaki Naka, Margo G. Haygood
Summary: Teredinibacter turnerae is an intracellular bacterial symbiont found in shipworm gills, which produces turnerbactin to obtain iron for survival. The turnerbactin biosynthetic genes are conserved among T. turnerae strains. However, the mechanisms of Fe(III)-turnerbactin uptake are not fully understood.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuyo Kamitori, Matsuyuki Shirota, Yuichiro Fujiwara
Summary: This study presents a structural homology model for the substrate binding states of human SGLT1 and investigates its functional characteristics using electrophysiological analysis. Mutations of specific residues enable the transport of non-typical substrates and reproduce the substrate specificity of other isoforms, offering insights into the structural basis of selective transport by SGLTs.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mathias Winterhalter
Summary: The challenge lies not in developing selective inhibitors for novel Gram-negative targets, but rather in improving the permeability of antibiotics to reach the lethal target within Gram-negative bacteria. Current research focuses on quantifying the flux of a larger list of compounds at a cellular or single channel level, with the aim of creating a larger dataset to enhance the understanding and effectiveness of antibiotics.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yiying Yang, Haoxiang Chen, Robin A. Corey, Violette Morales, Yves Quentin, Carine Froment, Anne Caumont-Sarcos, Cecile Albenne, Odile Burlet-Schiltz, David Ranava, Phillip J. Stansfeld, Julien Marcoux, Raffaele Ieva
Summary: In this study, a third component of the outer membrane LPS translocon in Escherichia coli called LptM is identified. Biochemical analysis and structural modeling reveal that LptM binds the LPS translocon by mimicking its native substrate, thus stabilizing the active conformation of the complex.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kazuya Nishio, Tomoyuki Kawarasaki, Yuki Sugiura, Shunsuke Matsumoto, Ayano Konoshima, Yuki Takano, Mayuko Hayashi, Fumihiko Okumura, Takumi Kamura, Tsunehiro Mizushima, Kunio Nakatsukasa
Summary: Deficiencies in mitochondrial protein import are associated with diseases, but it is unclear how accumulation of non-imported mitochondrial proteins causes cell dysfunction. This study showed that non-imported citrate synthase is targeted for proteasomal degradation. Accumulation of non-imported citrate synthase caused ectopic citrate synthesis, leading to metabolic imbalance and growth defect. This study highlights the importance of mitochondrial import and its failure in cellular metabolism.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minge Du, Zuanning Yuan, Glenn T. Werneburg, Nadine S. Henderson, Hemil Chauhan, Amanda Kovach, Gongpu Zhao, Jessica Johl, Huilin Li, David G. Thanassi
Summary: Researchers have solved the structures of pili assembly intermediates in E. coli and provided insights into their biogenesis and assembly. By using cryo-electron microscopy, they revealed processive steps in P pilus biogenesis and captured new conformational dynamics of the usher assembly machine.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Motohiro Fujiu, Katsuki Yokoo, Jun Sato, Satoru Shibuya, Kazuo Komano, Hiroki Kusano, Soichiro Sato, Toshiaki Aoki, Naoki Kohira, Sachi Kanazawa, Ryosuke Watari, Tomoyuki Kawachi, Yuya Hirakawa, Daiki Nagamatsu, Emi Kashiwagi, Hideki Maki, Kenji Yamawaki
Summary: The discovery of an orally absorbed novel antibiotic with good antibacterial activity against resistant strains may be a promising option for treating bacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jaejoon Jung, Ye Lin Seo, Sang Eun Jeong, Ju Hye Baek, Hye Yoon Park, Che Ok Jeon
Summary: This study found that linear six-carbon sugar alcohols, including mannitol, can rapidly lyse Microcystis aeruginosa cells. Microscopic observations revealed membrane disruption and release of intracellular matter, which differ from previously proposed cell death modes. Cell lysis induced by mannitol treatment is not transcriptionally mediated and may be specific to certain strains of M. aeruginosa.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wing Yin Venus Lau, Gemma R. Hoad, Vivian Jin, Geoffrey L. Winsor, Ashmeet Madyan, Kristen L. Gray, Matthew R. Laird, Raymond Lo, Fiona S. L. Brinkman
Summary: Protein subcellular localization is crucial for understanding protein function and identifying potential diagnostic markers, drug targets, and vaccine components. PSORTdb 4.0 is an updated database featuring experimentally verified and pre-computed protein localization data, with a user-friendly search function and expanded information on novel localizations. It is a valuable resource for researchers studying various microbes with diverse cell envelope structures.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amy J. Glenwright, Karunakar R. Pothula, Satya P. Bhamidimarri, Dror S. Chorev, Arnaud Basle, Susan J. Firbank, Hongjun Zheng, Carol V. Robinson, Mathias Winterhalter, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer, David N. Bolam, Bert van den Berg
Article
Microbiology
Javier Abellon-Ruiz, Shreyas S. Kaptan, Arnaud Basle, Beatrice Claudi, Dirk Bumann, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer, Bert van den Berg
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David N. Bolam, Bert van den Berg
CURRENT OPINION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wipa Suginta, Natchanok Sritho, Araya Ranok, David Michael Bulmer, Yoshihito Kitaoku, Bert van den Berg, Tamo Fukamizo
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monisha Pathania, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez, Satya Pratyusha Bhamidimarri, Arnaud Basle, Mathias Winterhalter, Matteo Ceccarelli, Bert van den Berg
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anuwat Aunkham, Michael Zahn, Anusha Kesireddy, Karunakar Reddy Pothula, Albert Schulte, Arnaud Basle, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer, Wipa Suginta, Bert van den Berg
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez, Luana Ferrara, Monisha Pathania, Muriel Masi, Jiajun Wang, Igor Bodrenko, Michael Zahn, Mathias Winterhalter, Robert A. Stavenger, Jean-Marie Pages, James H. Naismith, Bert van den Berg, Malcolm G. P. Page, Matteo Ceccarelli
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Susruta Samanta, Igor Bodrenko, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez, Tommaso D'Agostino, Monisha Pathania, Ishan Ghai, Christian Schleberger, Dirk Bumann, Richard Wagner, Mathias Winterhalter, Bert van den Berg, Matteo Ceccarelli
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2018)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Javier Abellon-Ruiz, Michael Zahn, Arnaud Basle, Bert van den Berg
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satya Prathyusha Bhamidimarri, Michael Zahn, Jigneshkumar Dahyabhai Prajapati, Christian Schleberger, Sandra Soederholm, Jennifer Hoover, Josh West, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer, Dirk Bumann, Mathias Winterhalter, Bert van den Berg
Article
Immunology
Consuelo Anzilotti, David J. Swan, Bertrand Boisson, Mukta Deobagkar-Lele, Catarina Oliveira, Pauline Chabosseau, Karin R. Engelhardt, Xijin Xu, Rui Chen, Luis Alvarez, Rolando Berlinguer-Palmini, Katherine R. Bull, Eleanor Cawthorne, Adam P. Cribbs, Tanya L. Crockford, Tarana Singh Dang, Amy Fearn, Emma J. Fenech, Sarah J. de Jong, B. Christoffer Lagerholm, Cindy S. Ma, David Sims, Bert van den Berg, Yaobo Xu, Andrew J. Cant, Gary Kleiner, T. Ronan Leahy, M. Teresa de la Morena, Jennifer M. Puck, Ralph S. Shapiro, Mirjam van der Burg, J. Ross Chapman, John C. Christianson, Benjamin Davies, John A. McGrath, Stefan Przyborski, Mauro Santibanez Koref, Stuart G. Tangye, Andreas Werner, Guy A. Rutter, Sergi Padilla-Parra, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Richard J. Cornall, Mary Ellen Conley, Sophie Hambleton
Review
Microbiology
Julian C. Rutherford, Yong-Sun Bahn, Bert van den Berg, Joseph Heitman, Chaoyang Xue
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anusha Kesireddy, Karunakar R. Pothula, Jumin Lee, Dhilon S. Patel, Monisha Pathania, Bert van den Berg, Wonpil Im, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Bert van den Berg, Siobhan Lister, Julian C. Rutherford
Review
Microbiology
Julia Vergalli, Igor V. Bodrenko, Muriel Masi, Lucile Moynie, Silvia Acosta-Gutierrez, James H. Naismith, Anne Davin-Regli, Matteo Ceccarelli, Bert Van den Berg, Mathias Winterhalter, Jean-Marie Pages
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)