Article
Biology
Yoshimi Kinoshita, Ryo Murakami, Nao Muto, Shintaroh Kubo, Ryo Iizuka, Sotaro Uemura
Summary: RNA helicases are enzymes that unwind double-stranded RNA using ATP hydrolysis energy and are involved in various RNA-related processes. The study focuses on Vasa, a RNA helicase in Bombyx mori, which plays a crucial role in dissociating RNA and amplifying piRNA. Single-molecule imaging shows that Vasa oligomerization guides the regulation of dissociation efficiency.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tessa B. Moyer, Ashleigh L. Purvis, Andrew J. Wommack, Leslie M. Hicks
Summary: This study demonstrates the antibacterial activity of Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) against two Gram-negative human bacterial pathogens, with proteomic changes in E. coli indicating membrane lysis as an important mechanism of action. Additionally, the study highlights the potential multifaceted mechanism of action of plant defensin analogs beyond membrane disruption, including metal sequestration as a contributing factor.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shiju Abraham, Yair Kaufman, Francois Perreault, Ry Young, Edo Bar-Zeev
Summary: This study used atomic force microscopy to investigate the impact of phage T4 on the nanotopography and biomechanics of biofilm-forming E. coli cells. The results revealed that anchored cells undergoing biofilm formation experience a more gradual lysis with distinct nanoscale lesions, unlike the explosive lysis seen in planktonic cells. Furthermore, envelope rigidity and cell elasticity decrease significantly following T4 infection, indicating potential changes in the nanostructure of infected cells.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dongyang Gao, Hongyue Ji, Xin Li, Xiquan Ke, Xiangmin Li, Pin Chen, Ping Qian
Summary: In this study, a polyvalent broad-spectrum phage, GSP044, was isolated from pig farm sewage, which showed the ability to simultaneously lyse multiple serotypes of Salmonella and E. coli. GSP044 has a short latent period, high stability, and good tolerance to chloroform. Genome sequencing analysis revealed that GSP044 belongs to the Demerecviridae family, Epseptimavirus genus, and does not contain any lysogenicity-related, virulence-related, or antibiotic resistance-related genes. The initial application of phage GSP044 showed promising results in reducing biofilm formation, degrading mature biofilm, and decreasing the number of colonized S. Enteritidis in vitro and in vivo.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lan Yao, Yinli Bao, Jiangang Hu, Beibei Zhang, Zhiyang Wang, Xinyu Wang, Weiqi Guo, Di Wang, Jingjing Qi, Mingxing Tian, Yanqing Bao, Haihua Li, Shaohui Wang
Summary: This study isolated and purified a lytic avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) phage designated as PEC9 from chicken farm feces samples. PEC9 exhibited strong lytic activity and inhibitory ability against biofilm formation, and it could effectively inhibit bacterial growth. The therapeutic effects of PEC9 were confirmed in a mice model, with improved survival rate and reduced bacterial loads and organ lesions. These findings suggest that PEC9 may be a promising alternative to antibiotics in the control of APEC infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kai Wen Choo, Liang Mao, Azlin Mustapha
Summary: This study isolated a novel Escherichia phage, CAM-21, from a dairy farm environment. CAM-21 showed targeted host specificity towards various serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli O157:H7. The phage was effective in controlling the bacterial counts in milk, ground beef, and baby spinach.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Menghua Wang, Katherine S. Ryan
Summary: In this study, two new l-Alanosine-producing strains were discovered through genome mining. These strains lack the aspartate-nitrosuccinate pathway genes found in the original producer and use a unique set of nitrate-nitrite reductases to reduce nitrate instead. The repurposing of enzymes from the nitrogen cycle for specialized metabolite biosynthesis and the potential for the discovery of new nitric-oxide-derived natural products are demonstrated.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Liming Jiang, Yaxian Jiang, Wen Liu, Rui Zheng, Chenghua Li
Summary: Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacterium, is widely distributed and poses a threat to human and animal health. This study identified two phages with good antibiofilm effects against E. coli, which can be potential candidates for phage therapy.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yongqing Cui, Xiang Su, Chen Wang, Han Xu, Delei Hu, Jing Wang, Kai Pei, Ming Sun, Tingting Zou
Summary: Temperate phages switch between lysis and lysogeny during their life cycle. This study reveals that the arbitrium signal regulates the expression of genes in an operon, which in turn suppresses phage lytic propagation and promotes lysogeny. The specific mechanism involves the interaction between the phage phi3T_93 and the host toxin-antitoxin module, MazF/MazE.
Article
Microbiology
Julia Robertson, Cushla McGoverin, Joni R. White, Frederique Vanholsbeeck, Simon Swift
Summary: Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health, and selecting the appropriate antibiotics is crucial in preventing the development of resistance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Akira Fukuda, Hiromi Nakamura, Kaoru Umeda, Kaori Yamamoto, Yuji Hirai, Masaru Usui, Jun Ogasawara
Summary: The study found that the antimicrobial resistance rates of E. coli isolated from healthy individuals in non-clinical settings were relatively low, but the rates of ciprofloxacin resistance and O25b-ST131 clone frequency increased during the study period.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tingting Chen, Jie Sun, Sibo Zhang, Tingting Li, Liqin Liu, Wenhui Xue, Lizhi Zhou, Siting Liang, Zhili Yu, Qingbing Zheng, Hai Yu, Tong Cheng, Jun Zhang, Ying Gu, Shaowei Li, Ningshao Xia
Summary: We successfully produced a VZV gE immunogen using an E. coli expression system. By truncating the C-terminal of the protein, we improved its solubility and yield, making it easier to purify for vaccine manufacturing. The lead truncated gE (aa 31-358), referred to as tgE, showed excellent antigenicity as a monomer in solution.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Pan Fu, Qiang Zhao, Li Shi, Qin Xiong, Zijing Ren, Hongxia Xu, Senmao Chai, Qianqian Xu, Xiaodong Sun, Ming Sang
Summary: This study isolated and characterized two new bacteriophages capable of infecting multidrug-resistant E. coli, demonstrating rapid replication, high stability, and no obvious cytotoxicity. These phages show potential as therapeutic candidates for treating multidrug-resistant E. coli in the future.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Bednarek, Agata Cena, Wioleta Izak, Joanna Bigos, Malgorzata Lobocka
Summary: P1 is a model temperate myovirus that infects different Enterobacteriaceae and can develop lytically or form lysogens. It has unique cell lysis-associated genes, including holins and pinholins, that cooperate with the SAR-endolysin of P1 in cell lysis. The contribution of holins/pinholins to cell lysis varies depending on the host and growth conditions of P1. The complex lytic system facilitates P1 adaptation to various hosts and their growth conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Young Su Kim, Hye-Jeong Lee, Gabriella Aphrodita Handoko, Jaehui Kim, Seong-Bo Kim, Minho Won, Jung-Ho Park, Jungoh Ahn
Summary: By producing and purifying a 135-residue amino-terminally shortened variant of KGF-1 using Escherichia coli, it was found to have cell proliferation activity. These results suggest that KGF-1(135) may serve as an alternative protein to KGF-1.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanguang Cong, Sijin Yang, Xiancai Rao
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Weilong Shang, Yi Yang, Yifan Rao, Xiancai Rao
Article
Microbiology
Leigiong Gao, Yanguang Cong, Gregory Plano, Xiancai Rao, Lyndsey N. Gisclair, Sara Schesser Bartra, Megan A. Macnaughtan, Li Shen
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Chen, Huyue Zhou, Jingbin Huang, Rong Zhang, Xiancai Rao
Summary: This review explores the impact of sub-MICs of antibiotics on the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, focusing on various aspects such as changes in cell morphology, virulence factor expression, bacterial adherence and invasion, biofilm formation, and small-colony variant production. Antibiotics at sub-MIC levels can alter bacterial virulence in S. aureus, leading to deformed cells, abnormal immune responses, and changes in disease development. The study also addresses the mechanisms underlying these antibiotic-induced alterations in virulence.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Li Qiao, Yi Yang, Keting Zhu, Yifan Rao, Gang Li, Xiancai Rao, Ming Li, Renjie Zhou
Summary: The SigB(Q225P) mutation in Staphylococcus aureus increases membrane vesicle (MVs) production, possibly due to reduced binding of SigB to the thermonuclease gene (nuc) promoter and decreased Nuc expression. This finding sheds light on the biogenesis of MVs in S. aureus and has implications for the development of a MV-based platform for this important pathogen.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Li Qiao, Yifan Rao, Keting Zhu, Xiancai Rao, Renjie Zhou
Summary: Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) are nanoscale vesicular structures produced by bacteria, which can stimulate immune response. Genetic modification of vesicle-producing bacteria has been studied to improve vesicle immunogenicity and yield. The engineered MVs have broad applications in vaccine and drug delivery systems.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yifan Rao, Huagang Peng, Weilong Shang, Zhen Hu, Yi Yang, Li Tan, Ming Li, Renjie Zhou, Xiancai Rao
Summary: The WalK(S221P) mutation enhances vancomycin resistance and decreases virulence in Staphylococcus aureus.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Huyue Zhou, Yi Yang, Weilong Shang, Yifan Rao, Juan Chen, Huagang Peng, Jingbin Huang, Zhen Hu, Rong Zhang, Xiancai Rao
Summary: This study investigated the sterilization effect of a portable cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) device on different P. aeruginosa strains, and found that pyocyanin and its intermediate play important roles in P. aeruginosa resistance to CAP treatment.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Shengzhe Zhou, Yifan Rao, Jia Li, Qiaoyi Huang, Xiancai Rao
Summary: This review summarizes the significance of genetic mutations involved in diverse biosynthesis pathways that contribute to the promotion of small-colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus (Sau). It addresses the persistent infections caused by Sau-SCVs and discusses the prospects and challenges in their treatment. The progress in managing Sau-SCVs may provide guidance for addressing long-term and recurrent infections caused by other bacterial SCVs.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jiao Zou, Weilong Shang, Ling Yang, Tianyao Liu, Lian Wang, Xin Li, Jinghui Zhao, Xiancai Rao, Junwei Gao, Xiaotang Fan
Summary: This study found that S. aureus USA300 infection can lead to neuroinflammation in the mPFC of mice, which may contribute to the development of anxiety.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mingxia Zheng, Keting Zhu, Huagang Peng, Weilong Shang, Yan Zhao, Shuguang Lu, Xiancai Rao, Ming Li, Renjie Zhou, Gang Li
Summary: This study elucidates a novel model of CcpA-controlled Staphylococcus aureus biofilm through direct inhibition of staphylokinase expression, highlighting the multifaceted roles and multiple networks regulated by CcpA.
Article
Microbiology
Qixuan Su, Ping Cheng, Jiyuan Sun, Yulin Zhang, Yang Zheng, Xiao-Ran Jiang, Xiancai Rao
Summary: In this study, H. bluephagenesis strain was engineered to produce lycopene by introducing a heterologous MVA pathway. By optimizing downstream genes and promoters, the lycopene yield was significantly increased to 1.22 mg/g. This research demonstrates that genetic engineering and optimization of production systems can enhance lycopene overproduction.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Keting Zhu, Gang Li, Jia Li, Mingxia Zheng, Xiaohui Peng, Yifan Rao, Ming Li, Renjie Zhou, Xiancai Rao
Summary: A new strategy for developing a vaccine against B. pseudomallei melioidosis was found, and staphylococcal membrane vesicles incorporating Hcp1 were identified as a promising candidate for prevention of acute melioidosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Li Tan, Yi Yang, Weilong Shang, Zhen Hu, Huagang Peng, Shu Li, Xiaomei Hu, Xiancai Rao
Summary: The study identified lysine succinylation (Ksucc) and acetylation (Kac) sites in vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and revealed their enrichment in critical metabolic pathways. The cross talk between Ksucc and Kac modifications was observed, and a bifunctional enzyme, SaCobB, with both deacetylation and desuccinylation activities was identified. These findings provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of PTMs in Staphylococcus aureus.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lu Liu, Huagang Peng, Naan Zhang, Mengyang Li, Zhaozhe Chen, Weilong Shang, Zhen Hu, Yuting Wang, Yi Yang, Dongmei Wang, Qiwen Hu, Xiancai Rao
Summary: This study investigated the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of 201 Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from a tertiary hospital in Tianjin, China. The predominant clones identified were ST59, ST398, and ST5527, with ST59 and ST5527 mainly including MRSA isolates, while ST398 and other major clones mainly including MSSA isolates. The different clones exhibited unique characteristics that could aid in disease control.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)