Article
Microbiology
Qiubin Huang, Zhen Zhang, Qing Liu, Fengying Liu, Yupeng Liu, Juanmei Zhang, Gang Wang
Summary: SpoVG plays a crucial role in regulating sporulation and biofilm formation of B. cereus 0-9 by influencing the transcription levels of related genes. It is located upstream of Spo0A and participates in the regulation of biofilm formation in B. cereus 0-9. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of environmental adaptation in bacteria and lays the foundation for future research on biofilm formation in B. cereus.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel A. Schwartz, Josue A. Rodriguez-Ramos, Michael Shaffer, Rory M. Flynn, Rebecca A. Daly, Kelly C. Wrighton, Jay T. Lennon
Summary: Spore-forming bacteria are common in mammalian guts and affect host health and nutrition. Dormant spore production plays a crucial role in the colonization, persistence, and transmission of these bacteria. Recent studies have shown that phages can counteract dormancy-mediated defense mechanisms and alter the transitions between active and inactive states through the expression of phage-carried sporulation genes during infection. Identification of sporulation genes preferentially carried by phages that infect spore-forming bacteria can help in understanding the complex genetic network responsible for spore development.
Article
Microbiology
Samantha Forrest, Sarah Ton, Samantha L. Sholes, Sarah Harrison, Roger D. Plaut, Kathleen Verratti, Michael Wittekind, Elham Ettehadieh, Bryan Necciai, Shanmuga Sozhamannan, Sarah L. Grady
Summary: Bacteriophages, specifically gamma and AP50c, have been found to infect Bacillus anthracis strains with high specificity, making them valuable in bacterial detection assays. To understand the emergence of phage resistance and improve the reliability of these assays, it is crucial to identify the receptors used for attachment and entry. Genetic approaches have identified sap as the receptor for AP50c, and GamR for gamma, while a similar phage, Wip1, also uses sap as a receptor. Additionally, the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) encoded by these phages have been identified, but further investigation is needed to confirm their protein-protein interactions. This study provides genetic evidence supporting the interaction between sap and the RBPs of AP50c and Wip1, shedding light on the attachment and entry strategies employed by B. anthracis phages and facilitating the development of future detection methods.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yulia Goncharova, Irina Bahtejeva, Galina Titareva, Tatiana Kravchenko, Anastasia Lev, Ivan Dyatlov, Vitalii Timofeev
Summary: The study evaluated the genetic polymorphism of pagA, lef, cya, and atxA genes for 85 Bacillus anthracis strains from different evolutionary lineages and canSNP groups. Strong correlation was found between 19 genotypes and main evolutionary lineages, with genetic markers indicating geographical origin of strains, and potential genetic relationship between strains from Europe and the Arctic.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nishant Kumar, Aakriti Gangwal, Nitika Sangwan, Neha Dhasmana, Chetkar Chandra Keshavam, Ekta Tyagi, Yogendra Singh
Summary: Bacterial sporulation is a conserved process used by Bacillus and Clostridium in response to stress, and involves a complex network regulated at various checkpoints. Engulfment, mediated by bacterial proteolytic machinery, is a crucial step in spore assembly. Degradation of anti-sigma factor F, SpoIIAB by ClpCP proteolytic machinery plays a crucial role in engulfment during sporulation in Bacillus anthracis.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Ahmed Ismail, Tanuj Saini, Ahmed Al Qaffas, Ivan Erill, Steven M. Caruso, Louise Temple, Allison A. Johnson
Summary: This study explored the genome sequences of sixteen Bacillus-infecting bacteriophages through comparative genomics approaches, revealing shared and unique characteristics. These phages belong to the Salasmaviridae family with small double-stranded DNA genomes encoding 25-46 predicted open reading frames. The study observed extensive sequence divergence among core-function genes, as well as identified examples of sequence directed recombination and the introduction of novel open reading frames. These findings highlight the complex evolutionary relationships of phage genomes.
Article
Microbiology
Timothy M. Hermanas, Sundharraman Subramanian, Charles E. Dann, George C. Stewart
Summary: The genome of Bacillus anthracis encodes multiple GGDEF/EAL/HD-GYP domain proteins, with 4 active GGDEF domain proteins found in sporulating cells. Research reveals an association of c-di-GMP regulatory proteins with spores and their potential impact on the biology of B. anthracis spores.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Abiola Isawumi, Eunice Ampadubea Ayerakwa, Molly Kukua Abban, Lydia Mosi
Summary: This study investigates the expression profiles of sporulation markers in multidrug-resistant Bacillus spp. isolated from Ghanaian hospital environments. The study finds an association between sporulation markers and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these strains.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Cheyenne D. Lee, Arshad Rizvi, Adrianne N. Edwards, Michael A. DiCandia, German G. Vargas Cuebas, Marcos P. Monteiro, Shonna M. McBride
Summary: Clostridioides difficile relies on dormant spore formation to survive and transmit between hosts. Its genome lacks many known regulatory factors for sporulation found in other bacteria, suggesting it has evolved unique mechanisms to control sporulation initiation in response to its specific ecological niche and host environment.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Alexia L. M. Royer, Andrew A. Umansky, Marie-Maude Allen, Julian R. Garneau, Maicol Ospina-Bedoya, Joseph A. Kirk, Gregory Govoni, Robert P. Fagan, Olga Soutourina, Louis-Charles Fortier
Summary: Therapeutic bacteriophages are being considered as alternatives to treat Clostridioides difficile infections. The surface layer protein A (SlpA) is identified as a common receptor used by many phages, which is a significant discovery for the rational design of therapeutic phage cocktails.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Braun, Martin Duy-Thanh Nguyen, Mathias C. Walter, Gregor Grass
Summary: A real-time PCR assay targeting a specific single nucleotide polymorphism in Bacillus anthracis genomes was validated, showing high specificity, linearity, and sensitivity. Adapting the assay for reverse transcription PCR on 16S rRNA transcripts significantly increased sensitivity compared to DNA-targeting assays, offering great potential for molecular diagnostics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weihong Zhang, Bongkotrat Suyamud, Jenyuk Lohwacharin, Yuyi Yang
Summary: The study of resistance genes and bacterial communities in tap water revealed the importance of mobile genetic elements and heavy metals in the abundance and distribution of resistance genes. The presence of potential hosts for ARGs and MRGs in tap water was also highlighted.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordi van Gestel, Andreas Wagner, Martin Ackermann
Summary: This study explores the mechanisms of bacterial evolution on surfaces by analyzing the evolutionary changes in colony development. The researchers identify mutations in global regulators that drive rapid surface adaptation in Bacillus subtilis, resulting in changes in colony composition and expansion. These mutations affect global gene expression and can lead to parallel changes in approximately 45% of all genes.
Article
Virology
Peter Braun, Nadja Rupprich, Diana Neif, Gregor Grass
Summary: Researchers used bacteriophage receptor binding proteins to identify Bacillus anthracis and developed two convenient identification methods. One is a single-tube centrifugation assay, while the other can identify colonies in complex soil. These tests help rapidly identify B. anthracis and can support or confirm detection through molecular methods.
Article
Microbiology
Peter Braun, Fee Zimmermann, Mathias C. Walter, Sonja Mantel, Karin Aistleitner, Inga Stuerz, Gregor Grass, Kilian Stoecker
Summary: Analysis of 16S rRNA genes helps identify a unique allele of Bacillus anthracis, which differs considerably in abundance and genomic arrangement among strains. These findings provide insights into the diversity of 16S rRNA genes and may improve identification of B. anthracis and other pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Abraham G. Moller, Kyle Winston, Shiyu Ji, Junting Wang, Michelle N. Hargita Davis, Claudia R. Solis-Lemus, Timothy D. Read
Summary: This study investigated the genetic basis of strain-to-strain variation in sensitivity to phages in Staphylococcus aureus, identifying putative loci that affect host range and discovering previously unreported genes influencing bacterial growth during phage infection. Predictive models were developed based on the host range matrix data, suggesting the complexity of phage susceptibility in S. aureus but also the potential for targeted phage therapy.
Article
Orthopedics
Yu Wang, Dustin Dikeman, Jeffrey Zhang, Nicole Ackerman, Sophia Kim, Martin P. Alphonse, Roger Ortines, Haiyun Liu, Daniel P. Joyce, Carly A. Dillen, John M. Thompson, Abigail A. Thomas, Roger D. Plaut, Lloyd S. Miller, Nathan K. Archer
Summary: CCR2 plays a crucial role in host defense during orthopedic implant-associated infections, by increasing immune cell infiltrates in the draining lymph nodes to contain and prevent the spread of infection.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Katherine E. Bowden, Sandeep J. Joseph, John C. Cartee, Noa Ziklo, Damien Danavall, Brian H. Raphael, Timothy D. Read, Deborah Dean
Summary: This study introduces the development of an RNA bait library for whole-genome sequencing of Chlamydia trachomatis from clinical samples, providing a shared resource for the scientific community. The workflow demonstrated increased efficiency in identifying recombinant and identical genomes within vaginal-rectal specimen pairs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
E. Randal Hofmann, Charles Davidson, Hsiu Chen, Melody Zacharko, Jay E. Dorton, Gary K. Kilper, Carcie Graves, Aleksandr E. Miklos, Katherine Rhea, Joe Ma, Bruce G. Goodwin, Shanmuga Sozhamannan
Summary: Lateral flow immunoassays are simple diagnostic devices used for detecting biological agents or other analytes of interest. There is a need for multiplex LFI devices that can differentiate between pathogens, especially in situations where reducing assay time and costs is critical. Developing a sensor-based multiplex LFI device could improve accuracy in interpreting ambiguous test results, especially at lower antigen concentrations and when there are imperfections in the strips.
Article
Microbiology
Vishnu Raghuram, Ashley M. Alexander, Hui Qi Loo, Robert A. Petit, Joanna B. Goldberg, Timothy D. Read
Summary: This study investigates the mutations in the agr operon of Staphylococcus aureus and their impact on strain characteristics. The study shows a close association between agr type and S. aureus clonal complex, and a strong linkage between agrBDC alleles. More than 5% of the genomes analyzed have frameshift mutations in the agr operon. The recurring mutations in different clonal lineages suggest that strains with agr frameshifts are short-lived in evolution.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Concerta L. Holley, Vijaya Dhulipala, Jacqueline T. Balthazar, Adriana Le Van, Afrin A. Begum, Shao-Chun Chen, Timothy D. Read, Mitch Matoga, Irving F. Hoffman, Daniel Golparian, Magnus Unemo, Ann E. Jerse, William M. Shafer
Summary: A new drug-resistant mutation, fusA2, has been identified, which increases resistance of gonococci to gentamicin, but may result in fitness defects during experimental infection. Furthermore, analysis of whole-genome sequences revealed that other fusA alleles do not possess the same ability to decrease gentamicin susceptibility.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sankhya Bommana, Gracie Richards, Mike Kama, Reshma Kodimerla, Kenan Jijakli, Timothy D. Read, Deborah Dean
Summary: Chlamydia trachomatis is the primary cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. This study investigates the microbial composition and function in the vagina, endocervix, and rectum of Fijian women with and without C. trachomatis infections. The results show unique microbial profiles in C. trachomatis-infected women, with more complex microbial pathways in the endocervix compared to the vagina. In addition, some women showed similarities in microbiome composition across different sites, suggesting potential intragenitorectal transmission. This study highlights the importance of understanding genitorectal microbiomes in promoting C. trachomatis infection and calls for larger prospective studies to better define the microbiomes of Pacific Islanders.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Robert Player, Kathleen Verratti, Andrea Staab, Ellen Forsyth, Amanda Ernlund, Mihir S. Joshi, Rebecca Dunning, David Rozak, Sarah Grady, Bruce Goodwin, Shanmuga Sozhamannan
Summary: An optimized targeted genomic sequencing method using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) was developed and compared with PCR for biodefense and biosurveillance applications. The study identified the best ONT library preparation method and integrated it into a real-time amplicon sequence analysis workflow. The results showed that the ONT method provided faster and more accurate detection of target organisms compared to PCR-based methods.
Article
Virology
Susan M. Lehman, Rohit Kongari, Adam M. Glass, Matthew Koert, Melissa D. Ray, Roger D. Plaut, Scott Stibitz
Summary: A study showed that the growth of bacteriophage K on USA300 strains is restricted at high temperatures, but mutations in the gp102 gene can improve its effectiveness against these strains. These mutations resulted in better suppression of bacterial growth and antibacterial activity. The gp102 gene encodes a protein of unknown function.
Article
Microbiology
Abraham G. Moller, Robert A. Petit III, Michelle H. Davis, Timothy D. Read
Summary: This study developed a method for rapid detection of vancomycin-intermediate resistance in Staphylococcus aureus through long-read genomic sequencing. The method can identify VISA genotypes and incorporate a comprehensive database of VISA genetic determinants.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Samantha L. L. Sholes, Sarah Harrison, Samantha Forrest, Sarah Ton, Sarah L. L. Grady, Kathleen Verratti, Roger D. D. Plaut, Bruce G. G. Goodwin, Shanmuga Sozhamannan
Summary: We report the draft genome assemblies of mutants of the attenuated Bacillus anthracis (Sterne) strain 7702 that are resistant to phage AP50c, including the parent strain, several phage-resistant derivatives, and mutants of genes in the pathways for synthesis and assembly of the S-layer.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ishi Keenum, Robert Player, Jason Kralj, Stephanie Servetas, Michael D. Sussman, Joseph A. Russell, Jennifer Stone, Sailaja Chandrapati, Shanmuga Sozhamannan
Summary: This study presents the minimum information requirements for AS in biodetection applications, which were developed under the auspices of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Stakeholder Program. The guidelines aim to improve data quality, track workflow performance, and enhance the trustworthiness of AS results for decision makers.
JOURNAL OF AOAC INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Concerta L. L. Holley, Vijaya Dhulipala, Stavaros A. A. Maurakis, Ashley Nicole Greenawalt, Timothy D. D. Read, Cynthia N. N. Cornelissen, William M. M. Shafer
Summary: The expression of the vaccine candidate gene ompA in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is regulated by iron ions and a new transcription factor called NceR. This study reveals the complexity of gene regulation for vaccine candidates and improves our understanding of their availability during infection.
Article
Microbiology
Samantha Forrest, Sarah Ton, Samantha L. Sholes, Sarah Harrison, Roger D. Plaut, Kathleen Verratti, Michael Wittekind, Elham Ettehadieh, Bryan Necciai, Shanmuga Sozhamannan, Sarah L. Grady
Summary: Bacteriophages, specifically gamma and AP50c, have been found to infect Bacillus anthracis strains with high specificity, making them valuable in bacterial detection assays. To understand the emergence of phage resistance and improve the reliability of these assays, it is crucial to identify the receptors used for attachment and entry. Genetic approaches have identified sap as the receptor for AP50c, and GamR for gamma, while a similar phage, Wip1, also uses sap as a receptor. Additionally, the receptor binding proteins (RBPs) encoded by these phages have been identified, but further investigation is needed to confirm their protein-protein interactions. This study provides genetic evidence supporting the interaction between sap and the RBPs of AP50c and Wip1, shedding light on the attachment and entry strategies employed by B. anthracis phages and facilitating the development of future detection methods.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Abraham G. Moller, Robert A. Petit, Timothy D. Read
Summary: Phage therapy is a potential alternative treatment for Staphylococcus aureus infections. The study found that phage adsorption genes are highly conserved in the S. aureus species, but horizontal gene transfer may play an important role in the strain-specific evolution of host range patterns.
