Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fan Zhang, Bowei Wang, Shiluan Liu, Yuhui Chen, Yihuang Lin, Zixian Liu, Xianrong Zhang, Bin Yu
Summary: Cell-free supernatant of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis CFS) can effectively kill Staphylococcus aureus, increase its susceptibility to penicillin and gentamicin, suppress gene expression, alter membrane components, and enhance membrane permeabilization. This suggests that B. subtilis CFS may be a potential resistance-modifying agent against beta-lactam antibiotics for S. aureus.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Min Qiu, Lianjun Feng, Caijun Zhao, Siyuan Gao, Lijuan Bao, Yihong Zhao, Yunhe Fu, Xiaoyu Hu
Summary: In this study, it was found that commensal Bacillus subtilis inhibited Staphylococcus aureus colonization and alleviated S. aureus-induced mastitis by influencing biofilm formation. The antibiofilm effect of Bacillus subtilis H28 was the most significant, and its treatment showed relief in a mice model of S. aureus-induced mastitis.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anella Saggese, Giovanni Di Gregorio Barletta, Maria Vittoria, Giuliana Donadio, Rachele Isticato, Loredana Baccigalupi, Ezio Ricca
Summary: The CotG protein in the Bacillus subtilis spore coat controls spore permeability through its central region of positively charged tandem repeats. The presence of central repeats is a common feature in CotG-like proteins in most Bacillus species. This study contributes to the understanding of the structure and function of bacterial spores.
Article
Immunology
Xin Fan, Ning Li, Meiyi Xu, Decheng Yang, Beinan Wang
Summary: Intrapulmonary immunization with a subunit vaccine shows significant effects in combating Staphylococcus aureus lung infection, reducing bacterial colonization, alleviating inflammation, boosting antimicrobial abilities, and providing long-lasting protection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Penghao Lv, Xuesong Zhang, Mengze Song, Guijuan Hao, Fangkun Wang, Shuhong Sun
Summary: In this study, we constructed a recombinant Bacillus subtilis that can secrete a multi-epitope protein. Oral immunization of chickens with this recombinant B. subtilis induced high levels of specific IgG and specific secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), as well as increased levels of IL-2 and T cell-mediated immunity. This recombinant B. subtilis effectively protected chickens against S. Enteritidis and reduced pathological damage to the spleen and jejunum, indicating its potential as a mucosal vaccine candidate for animals to defend against S. Enteritidis in the future.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Amelia C. Stephens, Srijon K. Banerjee, Anthony R. Richardson
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is highly resistant to nitric oxide (NO), especially in the presence of glucose. A new system of phosphate transport, involving pstSCAB and nptA, has been discovered to play a key role in NO resistance at alkaline pH conditions. The Delta pstS Delta nptA mutant shows attenuation under NO stress.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gaurav Dugar, Andreas Hofmann, Dieter W. Heermann, Leendert W. Hamoen
Summary: A study reveals the existence of large nucleoprotein complexes formed by the transcription factor Rok in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. These complexes can interact with each other over long distances and lead to the formation of chromosomal loops, spatially isolating large sections of DNA.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kira L. Tomlinson, Tania Wong Fok Lung, Felix Dach, Medini K. Annavajhala, Stanislaw J. Gabryszewski, Ryan A. Groves, Marija Drikic, Nancy J. Francoeur, Shwetha H. Sridhar, Melissa L. Smith, Sara Khanal, Clemente J. Britto, Robert Sebra, Ian Lewis, Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, Barbara C. Kahl, Alice S. Prince, Sebastian A. Riquelme
Summary: The authors demonstrate that the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus induces a distinct airway immunometabolic response dominated by the release of itaconate. This metabolite potentiates extracellular polysaccharide synthesis and biofilm formation in S. aureus, potentially facilitating chronic infection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marie Bourget, Marie Pasquie, Helene Charbonneau, Eric Bonnet
Summary: This study compared the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (E-SA) and endocarditis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (E-CNS). The results showed comparable rates of embolic complications, surgical management, and mortality between E-SA and E-CNS.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Samira Ghaedmohammadi, Gholamreza Ahmadian
Summary: This study successfully displayed Protein A (SpA) on the surface of Bacillus subtilis cells using a new system, confirming its potential use in purifying antibodies and predicting its future applications due to low production costs, optimal performance, and the use of a harmless strain.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kelly E. Hurley, Srijon K. Banerjee, Amelia C. Stephens, Michelle R. Scribner, Vaughn S. Cooper, Anthony R. Richardson
Summary: This study investigates the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to nitric oxide and its repair mechanisms. The researchers found that S. aureus is highly resistant to nitric oxide and has several DNA repair mechanisms that contribute to its replication fidelity and fitness.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pietro Speziale, Giampiero Pietrocola
Summary: NETs are essential components of the innate immune system during bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus can evade NET-mediated killing through various mechanisms, such as degrading NETs and inhibiting their formation. Understanding the virulence factors involved in NET formation/neutralization could lead to potential therapeutic interventions against this pathogen.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Frederic Peyrusson, Tiep Khac Nguyen, Tome Najdovski, Francoise Van Bambeke
Summary: This study investigates the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the dormancy depth of intracellular S. aureus persisters in host cells. It is found that host ROS can induce variable dormant states in persisters and the level of oxidative stress determines the capacity for resuscitation. The results highlight the importance of understanding the interplay between ROS, ATP depletion, and dormancy state in S. aureus infections.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prashant P. Damke, Louisa Celma, Sumedha M. Kondekar, Anne Marie Di Guilmi, Stephanie Marsin, Jordane Depagne, Xavier Veaute, Pierre Legrand, Helene Walbott, Julien Vercruyssen, Raphael Guerois, Sophie Quevillon-Cheruel, J. Pablo Radicella
Summary: The ComFC protein is essential for natural transformation and is involved in transporting DNA through the cell membrane and handling single-stranded DNA in the cytoplasm. The crystal structure of ComFC and its affinity for single-stranded DNA suggest that it plays a crucial role in the recombination machinery.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gregory J. Golden, Alejandro Gomez Toledo, Alex Marki, James T. Sorrentino, Claire Morris, Raquel J. Riley, Charlotte Spliid, Qiongyu Chen, Ingrid Cornax, Nathan E. Lewis, Nissi Varki, Dzung Le, Johan Malmstrom, Christofer Karlsson, Klaus Ley, Victor Nizet, Jeffrey D. Esko
Summary: Hepatic failure is a significant risk factor for poor outcomes in septic patients. Modifying endothelial heparan sulfate can reduce neutrophil trafficking to the liver, thereby reducing liver damage caused by sepsis.
Article
Microbiology
Benedikt Geier, Emilia M. Sogin, Dolma Michellod, Moritz Janda, Mario Kompauer, Bernhard Spengler, Nicole Dubilier, Manuel Liebeke
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammed R. Abdullah, Maria T. Batuecas, Franziska Jennert, Franziska Voss, Philipp Westhoff, Thomas P. Kohler, Rafael Molina, Stephanie Hirschmann, Michael Lalk, Juan A. Hermoso, Sven Hammerschmidt
Summary: PnrA is a nucleoside-binding protein in Streptococcus pneumoniae, which preferentially binds purine ribonucleosides and plays a crucial role in the virulence of the bacteria during infection. Its structure and interactions with nucleosides have been revealed through crystal structures, shedding light on its importance in pneumococcal fitness.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuliana Bruno, Sebastian Wenske, Jan-Wilm Lackmann, Michael Lalk, Thomas von Woedtke, Kristian Wende
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Maria Ilies, Alina Uifalean, Sergiu Pasca, Vishnu Mukund Dhople, Michael Lalk, Cristina Adela Iuga, Elke Hammer
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Moritz Janda, Brandon K. B. Seah, Dennis Jakob, Janine Beckmann, Benedikt Geier, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: Spatial metabolomics using mass spectrometry imaging is a powerful tool to map hundreds to thousands of metabolites in biological systems. However, annotation of m/z values is a major challenge in MSI, complicated by background ions introduced during experimental procedures. Adduct formation, particularly with sodium or potassium ions, significantly increases total m/z peak counts, and current data analyses often neglect matrix adducts, leading to an overestimation of metabolite numbers.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benedikt Geier, Janina Oetjen, Bernhard Ruthensteiner, Maxim Polikarpov, Harald R. Gruber-Vodicka, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: We developed a new method CHEMHIST to connect anatomical structure and metabolic function in millimeter-sized symbiotic animals, addressing the limited understanding of metabolic interactions between these animals. By combining MSI and micro-CT, we successfully correlated the distribution of metabolites with the 3D histology of the animals, providing a methodological groundwork for understanding the roles of these symbiotic animals in ecosystem functioning.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robin Gehrmann, Tobias Hertlein, Elisa Hopke, Knut Ohlsen, Michael Lalk, Andreas Hilgeroth
Summary: Novel antibacterial agents were discovered by dimerization of indols and hybridization with carbazoles, showing promising activity in various bacterial strains.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sina Schorn, Soeren Ahmerkamp, Emma Bullock, Miriam Weber, Christian Lott, Manuel Liebeke, Gaute Lavik, Marcel M. M. Kuypers, Jon S. Graf, Jana Milucka
Summary: Marine coastlines colonized by seagrasses are a significant net source of methane emissions, primarily driven by methylated compounds produced by the plants. Methane production continues even after the plants die off, likely due to the presence of methylated compounds in detached plant leaves and rhizomes. The study also identified gene sequences associated with key methane-producing enzymes in the seagrass sediments, suggesting their involvement in methane metabolism.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexander Lammers, Michael Lalk, Paolina Garbeva
Summary: We are currently facing a crisis of antimicrobial resistance, and novel solutions are urgently needed. Bacterial volatiles, which are chemically diverse and exhibit antimicrobial activities, could be a new source of antimicrobial compounds. This review introduces the chemical diversity of bacterial volatiles, their antimicrobial activities, and testing methods, and discusses the potential use of antimicrobial volatiles to combat antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Article
Ecology
E. Maggie Sogin, Dolma Michellod, Harald Gruber-Vodicka, Patric Bourceau, Benedikt Geier, Dimitri Meier, Michael Seidel, Soeren Ahmerkamp, Sina Schorn, Grace D'Angelo, Gabriele Procaccini, Nicole Dubilier, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: The accumulation of soluble sugars in seagrass rhizospheres is due to the inhibition of microbial consumption by plant phenolic compounds, providing an explanation for seagrass meadows as important carbon sinks.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hagen Buck-Wiese, Mona A. Andskog, Nguyen P. Nguyen, Margot Bligh, Eero Asmala, Silvia Vidal-Melgosa, Manuel Liebeke, Camilla Gustafsson, Jan-Hendrik Hehemann
Summary: Brown algae have the ability to convert a large amount of carbon dioxide into fucoidan, a complex polysaccharide. Through improved techniques, it has been found that brown algae secrete 0.3% of their biomass as fucoidan per day, with a secretion rate ranging from 28 to 40 mg C kg-1 h-1.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dolma Michellod, Tanja Bien, Daniel Birgel, Marlene Violette, Manuel Kleiner, Sarah Fearn, Caroline Zeidler, Harald R. Gruber-Vodicka, Nicole Dubilier, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: Using various techniques, such as metabolite imaging and enzyme assays, we have discovered that gutless marine annelids synthesize the plant sterol sitosterol, which is commonly found in plants. This synthesis is facilitated by a noncanonical C-24 sterol methyltransferase, an enzyme that is essential for sitosterol synthesis in plants but not widely known in most animals. Our phylogenetic analyses also indicate that this enzyme is present in representatives of at least five animal phyla, suggesting that the synthesis of plant-like sterols is more common in animals than previously believed.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Patric Bourceau, Benedikt Geier, Vincent Suerdieck, Tanja Bien, Jens Soltwisch, Klaus Dreisewerd, Manuel Liebeke
Summary: Label-free molecular imaging techniques can directly map hundreds of metabolites in biological tissues, but it is difficult to localize microbes and assign metabolites to host or microbiome members in host-microbe interactions. To solve this problem, we developed a correlative imaging approach combining MALDI-MSI with FISH to identify and localize microbial cells on the same section.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benedikt Geier, Esther Gil-Mansilla, Zita Liutkeviciute, Roland Hellinger, Jozef Vanden Broeck, Janina Oetjen, Manuel Liebeke, Christian W. Gruber
Summary: By integrating high-resolution mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) with microtomography, we successfully conducted multiplexed mapping of neuropeptides in two ant species. We compared the three-dimensional distributions of neuropeptides in the brains of these species and found that integrating 3D MSI data into high-resolution anatomy models is critical for studying organs with high plasticity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kristian Wende, Giuliana Bruno, Michael Lalk, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Thomas von Woedtke, Sander Bekeschus, Jan-Wilm Lackmann