Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lian-Ying Cao, Chen-Guang Liu, Shi-Hui Yang, Feng-Wu Bai
Summary: In this study, a novel strategy was developed to enhance the stress tolerance of Z. mobilis by regulating biofilm formation through heterologous expression of pfs and luxS genes.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jian Liu, Kaiquan Liu, Zhe Zhao, Zheng Wang, Fengchao Wang, Yuxiu Xin, Jie Qu, Feng Song, Zhenghua Li
Summary: In this study, the LuxS/AI-2 signaling pathway was identified as the primary quorum-sensing system for controlling algicidal activity in Shewanella xiamenensis Lzh-2. Disruption of the LuxS gene resulted in a loss of algicidal activity, while restoration of the LuxS gene recovered the activity.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tao Yu, Muyuan Ma, Yaxi Sun, Xiaobo Xu, Shuxing Qiu, Junlei Yin, Leishan Chen
Summary: Sublethal concentrations of benzalkonium chloride can promote AI-2 production, enhance biofilm formation, and increase swimming motility of E. coli isolates, along with upregulating genes associated with biofilm formation and flagellar motility. Proper use of this disinfectant in food processing environments is crucial for controlling E. coli contamination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chen Stein-Zamir, Hanna Shoob, Nitza Abramson, Lea Valinsky, Joseph Jaffe, David Maimoun, Sharon Amit, Maya Davidovich-Cohen
Summary: This study aimed to assess the trends of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Israel before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence rates of IMD declined during the pandemic years, and the number of notified cases also decreased. Case fatality rate was associated with age and socio-economic status. Changes in the distribution of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups and clonal complexes were observed.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Maximiliano Martinez-Cifuentes, Emmanuel Soto-Tapia, Camila Linares-Pipon, Ben Bradshaw, Paulina Valenzuela-Hormazabal, David Ramirez, Patricio Munoz-Torres, Claudio Parra
Summary: This study proposes the design of beta-keto esters as antibacterial compounds. By synthesizing eight beta-keto ester analogues and conducting computational analysis, compound 8 was found to have the most promising potential. In vitro antimicrobial screening showed that compounds 6 and 8 exhibited the most promising activity against the panel of bacteria studied.
Article
Microbiology
Zhaoxi Deng, Kangwei Hou, Teresa G. Valencak, Xin M. Luo, Jianxin Liu, Haifeng Wang
Summary: The LuxS enzyme is essential for quorum sensing and bacterial growth regulation. This study investigated the effects of a luxS mutant on biofilm formation and resistance to ETEC infection in germ-free zebrafish. The results showed compromised biofilm formation and adhesion in the absence of luxS, which could be partially rescued by synthetic AI-2. The luxS mutant also showed decreased colonization ability and immune modulation compared to the wild-type strain. Transcriptome analysis revealed downregulation of genes involved in immunity, signal transduction, and cell adhesion in the luxS mutant-infected zebrafish. The AI-2/LuxS system plays an important role in improving biofilm formation and alleviating inflammation caused by ETEC in germ-free zebrafish.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zhaoxi Deng, Kangwei Hou, Teresa G. Valencak, Xin M. Luo, Jianxin Liu, Haifeng Wang
Summary: The LuxS enzyme plays a key role in quorum sensing and bacterial growth regulation. This study investigated the differences between the wild-type strain and luxS mutant of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG during biofilm formation and resistance to ETEC-induced inflammation in germ-free zebrafish. The results demonstrate the importance of the AI-2/LuxS system in biofilm formation and alleviating inflammation caused by ETEC.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Keyong Yuan, Lili Hou, Qiaoqiao Jin, Chenguang Niu, Mengying Mao, Ruirui Wang, Zhengwei Huang
Summary: When the methyl cycle was recovered, 84 genes in Streptococcus mutans luxS-null strain did not show changes in expression trends. These genes mainly encode ABC transporters, sugar transporter EII, and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism. They are involved in various metabolic pathways such as the Phosphotransferase system, Fructose and mannose metabolism, and Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis. The LuxS/AI-2 QS system may mainly influence ABC transporters and carbohydrate metabolism in S. mutans.
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiao Wei, Tanghui Long, Yanjiao Li, Kehui Ouyang, Qinghua Qiu
Summary: This study found that a diet shift can trigger rumen bacterial LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing by altering microbial density, AI-2 concentration, biofilm formation, and related gene expression. This, in turn, affects rumen fermentation characteristics and bacterial community diversity and composition.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhuoning Cao, Zhen Liu, Guilin Zhang, Xiangzhao Mao
Summary: A self-induced dynamic regulated expression system was constructed to efficiently express target proteins. The system showed 4.34-fold increase in enzyme activity compared to the traditional T7 promoter under high-density fermentation conditions. Therefore, the mutants with different promoters and/or strengths have great potential for protein expression.
FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Simone Meini, Emanuela Sozio, Giacomo Bertolino, Francesco Sbrana, Andrea Ripoli, Carlo Pallotto, Bruno Viaggi, Roberto Andreini, Vittorio Attanasio, Carolina Rescigno, Luigi Atripaldi, Silvia Leonardi, Mariano Bernardo, Carlo Tascini
Summary: The study revealed the significant predictive role of D-dimer in prognosis of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis, with the probability of unfavorable outcomes increasing as D-dimer levels rise.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maryam Alshammari, Aldossary Ahmad, Manal AlKhulaifi, Dunia Al Farraj, Samar Alsudir, Moahmed Alarawi, Gojobori Takashi, Essam Alyamani
Summary: In this study, the CRISPR/Cas9-HDR approach was used to knock out genes involved in quorum sensing and adhesion in Escherichia coli to reduce biofilm formation. The results showed that knocking out these genes significantly reduced biofilm formation in E. coli, as well as adhesion and biofilm formation on urinary catheters. This approach may provide a potential strategy to disrupt E. coli biofilm-associated urinary tract infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michelle R. Scribner, Amelia C. Stephens, Justin L. Huong, Anthony R. Richardson, Vaughn S. Cooper
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces dangerous chronic infections that are characterized by rapid diversification and resistance to treatment. Our study reveals the importance of nutrient levels and surface attachment in driving the evolution of P. aeruginosa in the cystic fibrosis respiratory environment. These findings highlight the significance of nutrient conditions and biofilm selection in selecting mutants with problematic clinical phenotypes.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qinglan Yang, Ying Wang, Qi An, Ren Sa, Dejian Zhang, Rihua Xu
Summary: The LuxS/AI-2 system was found to play an important role in the biofilm formation of Leuconostoc citreum 37, as shown in the genome analysis and gene expression patterns. Genes such as pfs and luxS were found to be involved in AI-2 synthesis and positively correlated with biofilm formation, indicating a potential regulatory mechanism in L. citreum 37.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
A. Sharifi, B. Nayeri Fasaei
Summary: This study found that Thymus daenensis and Satureja hortensis essential oils have antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties against E. coli O157:H7, and also inhibit its quorum sensing system.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Kim R. Hardie
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Junting Zhang, James Brown, David J. Scurr, Anwen Bullen, Kirsty MacLellan-Gibson, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander, Kim R. Hardie, Ian S. Gilmore, Paulina D. Rakowska
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Ann- Kathrin Kotte, Oliver Severn, Zak Bean, Katrin Schwarz, Nigel P. Minton, Klaus Winzer
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Barzan, Alessio Sacco, Luisa Mandrile, Andrea M. Giovannozzi, James Brown, Chiara Portesi, Morgan R. Alexander, Paul Williams, Kim R. Hardie, Andrea M. Rossi
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2020)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Kim R. Hardie, Kalai Mathee, Herbert P. Schweizer, Lars E. P. Dietrich, Martin Welch, Teresa de Kievit, Dao Nguyen, Maia Kivisaar, Ajai A. Dandekar, Diane McDougald, Craig Winstanley
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Eliza Ye-Chen Soh, Frances Smith, Maxime Remi Gimenez, Liang Yang, Rebecca Munk Vejborg, Matthew R. Fletcher, Nigel Halliday, Sophie Bleves, Stephan Heeb, Miguel R. Camara, Michael Givskov, Kim R. R. Hardie, Tim Tolker-Nielsen, Berengere R. Ize, Paul Williams
Summary: The study revealed that perturbation of the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway in P. aeruginosa led to defective biofilm architecture, increased susceptibility to antibiotics, and disrupted pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) transmission, resulting in altered production and release of biofilm components.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Birte Hollmann, Mark Perkins, Veeren M. Chauhan, Jonathan W. Aylott, Kim R. Hardie
Summary: Understanding the dynamic environmental microniches of biofilms will help us detect, manage, and exploit these communities, although there is still limited knowledge about the existing microniches. The use of ratiometric fluorescent pH-sensitive nanosensors allows real-time observation of physiological pH changes in biofilms, offering a potential application for identifying therapeutic solutions. This technology can be applied to analyze real-time three-dimensional pH variations in different biofilm formers like opportunistic pathogens and oral pathogens, providing insights into improving oral health.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karolina Kasza, Pratik Gurnani, Kim R. Hardie, Miguel Camara, Cameron Alexander
Summary: This review highlights the importance of novel antimicrobial approaches in addressing the antibiotic resistance crisis, emphasizing the critical role of biofilms in human infections. Encapsulation within polymeric carriers to enhance treatment efficacy, permeation, and retention at infection sites is a current research focus, but also presents challenges and solutions specific to different tissues.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tom Armstrong, Samuel Jacob Fenn, Kim R. Hardie
Summary: Carbapenems are powerful antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis and are highly effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive drug-resistant infections. However, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and seizures can occur in some recipients. Clinical resistance is primarily driven by enzymatic hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring, classified into Class A, B, and D enzymes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Craig Woods, Christopher M. Humphreys, Claudio Tomi-Andrino, Anne M. Henstra, Michael Kopke, Sean D. Simpson, Klaus Winzer, Nigel P. Minton
Summary: Most bacterial genes remain poorly characterized, and transposon insertion sequencing is a high-throughput technique that can help rectify this deficiency, although it is limited to species with efficient DNA transfer procedures. Researchers have developed approaches to overcome this barrier in autotrophic species, enabling the determination of essential genes required for utilizing carbon monoxide as the sole carbon and energy source.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kim R. Hardie, Samuel Jacob Fenn
Summary: Rifampicin, also known as rifampin, is a drug that inhibits RNA synthesis and is used for treating various infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy. It can also protect vulnerable populations from certain infections. Rifampicin is considered a critically important medication in human medicine and is included in the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. However, prolonged use of rifampicin can cause liver toxicity, and its red-orange coloration can affect sweat, tears, and urine. Some bacteria may develop resistance to rifampicin.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan R. R. Humphreys, Bisrat J. J. Debebe, Stephen P. P. Diggle, Klaus Winzer
Summary: Solventogenic clostridia are anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria that produce acetone, butanol, and ethanol through biphasic metabolism. However, these bacteria have a tendency to degenerate, losing their ability to produce solvents and spores, which is a problem for industrial applications. Through comparative genomics and ultra-deep sequencing, researchers identified the spo0A gene as key to the degeneration process in Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052. Mutations in this gene and genes regulating its expression and activity were found in hotspot regions of degenerate variants. This study provides new insights into clostridial strain degeneration and spore regulation network.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jonathan R. Humphreys, Zak Bean, Jamie Twycross, Klaus Winzer
Summary: Lanthipeptide synthetases, present in all domains of life, catalyze an important step in lanthipeptide biosynthesis. LanM-like proteins, found in Clostridium species, are associated with agr quorum sensing operons. The physiological role and mode of action of these proteins are unclear. In this study, the LanM-like protein CA_C0082 was shown to act as an effector of Agr quorum sensing, controlling granulose formation and spore and solvent production in Clostridium acetobutylicum.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kim R. Hardie
EMERGING TOPICS IN LIFE SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dina Lary, Aaron Calvert, Brigitte Nerlich, Joel Segal, Natalie Vaughan, Jacqueline Randle, Kim R. Hardie
JOURNAL OF INFECTION PREVENTION
(2020)