Article
Biology
Odion O. Ikhimiukor, Stephanie S. R. Souza, Michael M. Marcovici, Griffin J. Nye, Robert Gibson, Cheryl P. Andam
Summary: Comparative genomics analysis revealed that horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of opportunistic pathogens from the Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group are driven by overlapping ecology and geographical proximity. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) are important reservoirs of diverse phages, plasmids, and mobile genes encoding antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal resistance, and virulence. Recombination between CoNS occurs frequently regardless of their animal host species, suggesting that ecological barriers to horizontal gene transfer can be overcome in co-existing lineages.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Constain H. Salamanca, Alvaro Barrera-Ocampo, Jose Onate-Garzon
Summary: This study focuses on synthesizing, characterizing, and evaluating the antimicrobial effect of polymer nanoparticles loaded with ampicillin. The self-assembled polymer nanoparticles were analyzed and characterized, and their properties were found to be dependent on the pH of the medium. Loading ampicillin in the nanoparticles resulted in a recovery of antimicrobial activity.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fuchun Wang, Wei Ma, Bingtao Tang, Shufen Zhang
Summary: A new type of macromolecular reactive dye was successfully synthesized by co-polymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride. The dye exhibited high fixation, good light fastness, and a solubility greater than 60 g/L. In cotton dyeing experiments, the dye achieved a fixation rate over 92% and showed good rub and wash fastness. The light fastness of the red and blue dyes with the ethoxy group on melamine was grade 4, while the yellow dye reached grade 5. The poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) macromolecular reactive dyes have great potential for practical applications.
COLORATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hyochan Jang, Seong Yeol Choi, Robert J. J. Mitchell
Summary: In a survey of the International Space Station (ISS), Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common pathogenic bacterium in samples from air, water, and surfaces. The study showed that growth under microgravity conditions significantly altered the lipid profile of S. aureus, making it more sensitive to membrane-acting antibiotics. These findings are important for controlling the presence and spread of S. aureus and other pathogens in space.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changhua Zhou, Xi Yang, Chunli Zhang, Shengmao Zhang, Pingyu Zhang
Summary: The formation of fluorescent CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) incorporated poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) spheres using a simple emulsification solvent evaporation strategy was reported. These QDs incorporated polymer nanospheres were suitable for immunoassays requiring nano-sized fluorescent labels. The carboxyl-functionalized nanospheres as fluorescent tags in LFIA system showed high sensitivity in assessing the level of C-reaction protein (CRP) for cardiovascular disease risk assessment.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olena Korotych, Thao T. Nguyen, Brandon C. Reagan, Tessa M. Burch-Smith, Barry D. Bruce
Summary: The study identified five highly efficient pSMA copolymers that can effectively extract membrane protein complexes from thylakoid membranes, showing promise in extracting MPCs from chloroplast thylakoids. Based on the differential extraction of protein complexes from spinach and pea thylakoids by pSMAs, the polymers can be divided into two groups: unfunctionalized polymers and ester derivatives.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Chuxuan Chen, Can Xu, Jiaxin Zhai, Yuhong Ma, Changwen Zhao, Wantai Yang
Summary: A solvent-free method was developed to prepare uniform SMI microspheres from SMA and gaseous amine, leading to improved thermal properties, enhanced solubility, and superior surface characteristics compared to SMA microspheres.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zizhao Pan, Li Li, Lina Wang, Guangfu Luo, Xinwei Xu, Fei Jin, Jiufeng Dong, Yujuan Niu, Liang Sun, Chuanfei Guo, Wenqing Zhang, Qing Wang, Hong Wang
Summary: This study reported the control of energy level of charge traps in polymer film capacitors by tailoring molecular structures, leading to significant inhibition of charge loss at high temperatures. The optimized crosslinking structure exhibited ultrahigh discharged energy density and high charge/discharge efficiencies, along with excellent cyclability and self-healing features.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Brittney D. Gimza, James E. Cassat
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a common etiologic agent in osteomyelitis, a prevalent invasive disease. Treatment of this infection is challenging due to antimicrobial resistant strains, antibiotic tolerance in staphylococci, and bone remodeling and destruction.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Daiyu Li, Yan Ge, Ning Wang, Yun Shi, Gang Guo, Quanming Zou, Qiang Liu
Summary: In this study, a novel chromosomal multidrug efflux pump (SA09310) was identified and characterized in Staphylococcus aureus. The SA09310 pump is responsible for tetracycline resistance and its efflux activity is blocked by the known efflux pump inhibitor CCCP.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sebastian C. Herren, Markus Huemer, Claudio T. Acevedo, Alejandro Gomez-Mejia, Federica Andreoni, Srikanth Mairpady Shambat, Barbara Hasse, Reinhard Zbinden, Silvio D. Brugger, Annelies S. Zinkernagel
Summary: Antibiotic-tolerant Staphylococcus aureus poses a great challenge to clinicians and microbiological laboratories, with fast and reliable methods such as the replica plating tolerance isolation system (REPTIS) being urgently required for detection. This system was found to be useful in detecting antibiotic tolerance in clinical microbiological routine diagnostics, with high regrowth observed in antibiotics targeting protein synthesis.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Felipe Francisco Tuon, Paula Hansen Suss, Joao Paulo Telles, Leticia Ramos Dantas, Nicolas Henrique Borges, Victoria Stadler Tasca Ribeiro
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is frequently associated with implant-related infections due to its ability to produce biofilms, which make these infections difficult to treat. The effectiveness of different drugs in inhibiting bacterial growth within the biofilm cannot always be accurately interpreted using routine sensitivity tests. This review provides a comprehensive discussion on the genes involved in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and antimicrobial activity, aiming to benefit researchers working on optimizing the treatment of S. aureus biofilm-associated infections.
Article
Polymer Science
Huiqin Mao, Yanpeng Wang, Haixia Wang, Lang Li, Haifeng Shi
Summary: SMACnN comb-like polymers were prepared with poly[styrene-co-(maleic anhydride)] and n-alkylamine as chemical spacer, exhibiting crystallization behavior attributed to alkyl side chains. The melting temperature and enthalpy of side-chain crystallites increased with side-chain length, requiring at least 12 carbon atoms for hexagonal crystal packing. Chemical spacer between side chain and main chain influenced side-chain crystallite formation and phase transition.
POLYMER INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liu Yang, Yingxue Wu, Hongyi Shu, Chuang Wang, Changetong Song, Xianhong Zhang, Dong Chen, Yuhong Ma, Wantai Yang
Summary: Polymer-supported catalysts have been the focus of extensive research due to their easy handling, facile separation, and excellent recycling performance. In this study, a simple and efficient strategy was developed to fabricate isocyanate-functionalized polymer microspheres that can serve as a versatile support for photocatalyst immobilization. The resulting supported TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited higher photocatalytic performance, facile separation, and better reusability compared to pristine TiO2.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhujun Huang, Dongying Zhu, Haiyan Wang, Jinhua Luo, Chenxi Zhao, Fuyou Du
Summary: This study successfully fabricated an electrospun nanofiber photocatalyst with excellent visible light absorption and degradation ability. The photocatalyst exhibited high catalytic activity over a wide pH range and showed tolerance to metal ions and inorganic anions. Additionally, the photocatalyst demonstrated good cycling stability and reusability.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anita C. Catherwood, Adrian J. Lloyd, Julie A. Tod, Smita Chauhan, Susan E. Slade, Grzegorz P. Walkowiak, Nicola F. Galley, Avinash S. Punekar, Katie Smart, Dean Rea, Neil D. Evans, Michael J. Chappell, David Roper, Christopher G. Dowson
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christine Lockey, Richard J. Edwards, David Roper, Ann M. Dixon
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Surya D. Aggarwal, Adrian J. Lloyd, Saigopalakrishna S. Yerneni, Ana Rita Narciso, Jennifer Shepherd, David Roper, Christopher G. Dowson, Sergio R. Filipe, N. Luisa Hiller
Summary: In response to unfavorable conditions, the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae relies on cell wall biosynthesis proteins MurM and MurN. MurM modulates stress response by decreasing the pool of mischarged tRNAs, while enhanced lysis in the absence of MurM may be caused by LytA.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chris L. B. Graham, Hector Newman, Francesca N. Gillett, Katie Smart, Nicholas Briggs, Manuel Banzhaf, David I. Roper
Summary: Bacteria must continuously modify and repair their peptidoglycan layer while maintaining essential functions in cell shape, integrity, and intermolecular interactions. Advanced experimental techniques are shedding light on how bacteria regulate and achieve peptidoglycan synthesis, especially focusing on the central role played by complexes such as Sporulation, Elongation, or Division (SEDs) and class B penicillin-binding proteins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wendy Tran, Ali S. Kusay, Paige M. E. Hawkins, Chen-Yi Cheung, Gayathri Nagalingam, Venugopal Pujari, Daniel J. Ford, Alexander Stoye, Jessica L. Ochoa, Rebecca E. Audette, Elinor Hortle, Stefan H. Oehlers, Susan A. Charman, Roger G. Linington, Eric J. Rubin, Christopher G. Dowson, David Roper, Dean C. Crick, Thomas Balle, Gregory M. Cook, Warwick J. Britton, Richard J. Payne
Summary: The study reports the design and synthesis of inhibitors targeting Mtb MurX enzyme, showing potent antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These inhibitors have the potential to be developed into new drugs for tuberculosis treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronique Roig-Zamboni, Sarah Barelier, Robert Dixon, Nicola F. Galley, Amani Ghanem, Heloize Cahuzac, Quoc Phong Nguyen, Bartlomiej Salamaga, Peter J. Davis, Yves Bourne, Stephane Mesnage, Florence Vincent
Summary: The cleavage of septal peptidoglycan during cell division helps in separating the daughter cells. The N-acetylglucosaminidase AtlA in Enterococcus faecalis plays a crucial role in cell separation and its mutants show decreased virulence. AtlA has structural homologs in other pathogens, making it a potential target for developing inhibitors of bacterial pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khuram U. Ashraf, Rie Nygaard, Owen N. Vickery, Satchal K. Erramilli, Carmen M. Herrera, Thomas H. McConville, Vasileios I. Petrou, Sabrina I. Giacometti, Meagan Belcher Dufrisne, Kamil Nosol, Allen P. Zinkle, Chris L. B. Graham, Michael Loukeris, Brian Kloss, Karolina Skorupinska-Tudek, Ewa Swiezewska, David I. Roper, Oliver B. Clarke, Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, Anthony A. Kossiakoff, M. Stephen Trent, Phillip J. Stansfeld, Filippo Mancia
Summary: This study presents the structures of WaaL from Cupriavidus metallidurans and provides molecular details and a mechanistic model for lipopolysaccharide maturation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Renato Pattaro Junior, Icaro Putinhon Caruso, Jessica Marostica de Sa, Taniara Suelen Mezalira, Diego de Souza Lima, Eduardo Jorge Pilau, David Roper, Maria Aparecida Fernandez, Flavio Augusto Vicente Seixas
Summary: The study aimed at characterizing the biophysical properties of recombinant Escherichia coli DdlB, showing that the enzyme's stability was highest at pH 5.4, with a significant presence of alpha-helix structure. The thermal denaturation process of EcDdlB was found to be irreversible, with an increase in beta-structures that may contribute to the formation of protein aggregates.
PROTEIN AND PEPTIDE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Gurneet K. Dhanoa, Inbar Kushnir, Udi Qimron, David I. Roper, Antonia P. Sagona
Summary: In this study, the effect of bacteriophages on FtsZ was investigated using an in vitro meningitis model system. The results showed that bacteriophages can inhibit FtsZ, leading to defective bacterial cell division and the formation of filamentous multi-ringed cells. The study also identified the involvement of ZapA and FtsI proteins in bacteriophage inhibition.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carmina Micelli, Yunfei Dai, Nicole Raustad, Ralph R. Isberg, Christopher G. Dowson, Adrian J. Lloyd, Edward Geisinger, Allister Crow, David I. Roper
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes challenging nosocomial infections. The study reveals the molecular details of cell wall elongation inhibition upon zinc starvation in A. baumannii. The findings offer a perspective for dual inhibition of zinc-dependent peptidoglycan synthases and metallo-beta-lactamases by metal-chelating agents.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan Cook, Tyler C. Baverstock, Martin B. L. McAndrew, David I. Roper, Phillip J. Stansfeld, Allister Crow
Summary: AmiA and AmiB are enzymes from Escherichia coli that break the peptidoglycan layer and maintain cell integrity. Their activity is controlled by interactions with the FtsEX-EnvC complex. The structures of AmiA and AmiB in different states were determined, revealing the conformational changes required for activation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Bartlomiej Salamaga, Robert D. Turner, Fathe Elsarmane, Nicola F. Galley, Saulius Kulakauskas, Stephane Mesnage
Summary: The C-terminal LysM domain of Enterococcus faecalis peptidoglycan hydrolase AtlA is crucial for its localization at the septum, facilitated by the cytoplasmic protein partner AdmA. The control of cell size and morphology is essential for bacterial adaptation. In Enterococcus faecalis, the formation of diplococci and short cell chains promotes immune evasion and dissemination in the host. The activity of the peptidoglycan hydrolase AtlA is responsible for minimizing cell chain size through septum cleavage. This study reveals a mechanism involving the LysM domain and the protein partner AdmA that restricts the subcellular localization of AtlA to its site of action.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karan Razdan, Jorge Garcia-Lara, V. R. Sinha, Kamalinder K. Singh
Summary: This review focuses on the mechanism of biofilm formation and the role of biofilms in chronic wounds, as well as various formulation strategies and delivery systems used to eradicate or disperse biofilms. The clinical research on the treatment of biofilm-infected chronic wounds is also discussed.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amanda J. Dowson, Adrian J. Lloyd, Andrew C. Cuming, David Roper, Lorenzo Frigerio, Christopher G. Dowson
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that peptidoglycan is synthesized around the chloroplasts of many photosynthetic eukaryotes, but the biosynthetic pathway has not been demonstrated. This study employed mass spectrometry and enzymology to characterize the synthesis of peptidoglycan in the moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens and found that the biosynthetic pathway is derived from a Gram-negative bacterial progenitor of chloroplasts in early-diverging land plants.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paolo Passaretti, Yiwei Sun, Timothy R. Dafforn, Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer
