Article
Microbiology
Rozhin Nasehi, Faramarz Masjedian Jazi, Parviz Pakzad
Summary: This study investigated the presence and expression of TA systems in B. subtilis isolates under drought stress conditions. The results showed that the expression of mazF toxin gene increased, while the expression of mazE antitoxin gene also increased. On the other hand, the expression of yobQ/yobR decreased. These findings highlight the significant role of B. subtilis TA systems in response to drought stress.
JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juan Zhou, Xue-Jian Du, Ying Liu, Zeng-Qiang Gao, Zhi Geng, Yu-Hui Dong, Heng Zhang
Summary: ParE(SO)-CopA(SO) is a new type II toxin-antitoxin system that plays a crucial role in maintaining circular CP4So in Shewanella oneidensis. The CopA(SO) protein folds and binds to a positively charged and hydrophobic groove of ParE(SO) to neutralize its toxicity. ParE(SO) acts as a de-repressor of the TA operon transcription at a 1:1 toxin:antitoxin level.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shaun Wachter, Diane C. C. Cockrell, Heather E. E. Miller, Kimmo Virtaneva, Kishore Kanakabandi, Benjamin Darwitz, Robert A. A. Heinzen, Paul A. A. Beare
Summary: This study investigates the role of plasmid-encoded ORFs in Coxiella burnetii, particularly the importance of the QpH1 plasmid for its virulence. The findings suggest that C. burnetii maintains autonomously replicating plasmids due to the presence of a plasmid-based toxin-antitoxin system.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vincent Charron-Lamoureux, Lounes Haroune, Maude Pomerleau, Leo Hall, Frederic Orban, Julie Leroux, Adrien Rizzi, Jean-Sebastien Bourassa, Nicolas Fontaine, Elodie V. d'Astous, Philippe Dauphin-Ducharme, Claude Y. Legault, Jean-Philippe Bellenger, Pascale B. Beauregard
Summary: This study shows that a compound produced by Bacillus subtilis plays a complex role in modulating iron availability and providing protection against oxidative stress during inter-species competition. This compound binds to iron and restricts its availability rather than promoting iron acquisition. It also reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and oxidative stress, and Bacillus subtilis utilizes its known siderophore to retrieve iron from the compound.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aisling Brady, Nuria Quiles-Puchalt, Francisca Gallego del Sol, Sara Zamora-Caballero, Alonso Felipe-Ruiz, Jorge Val-Calvo, Wilfried J. J. Meijer, Alberto Marina, Jose R. Penades
Summary: Some Bacillus-infecting bacteriophages utilize a peptide-based communication system, called arbitrium, to coordinate the lysis-lysogeny decision. AimR, a key player in this system, is involved in a complex network of regulation. The SP beta phage, possessing a functional arbitrium system, can optimize production of infective particles while preserving the number of surviving cells, which increases phage persistence in nature.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tatsuaki Kurata, Chayan Kumar Saha, Jessica A. Buttress, Toomas Mets, Tetiana Brodiazhenko, Kathryn J. Turnbull, Ololade F. Awoyomi, Sofia Raquel Alves Oliveira, Steffi Jimmy, Karin Ernits, Maxence Delannoy, Karina Persson, Tanel Tenson, Henrik Strahl, Vasili Hauryliuk, Gemma C. Atkinson
Summary: Toxin-antitoxin gene pairs are widespread in microorganisms and bacteriophages, acting as regulatory switches. A computational tool called FlaGs was used to analyze the conservation of genomic neighborhoods and uncover previously unknown diversity in TA operons. The poorly characterized antitoxin domain DUF4065 was found to be widely distributed and capable of neutralizing toxins with multiple different folds. Experimental validation confirmed the neutralizing activity of nine PanA-neutralized TA pairs, including a novel nucleotide cyclase toxin. Panacea-containing antitoxins were found to form complexes with their cognate toxins, indicating a direct neutralization mechanism. Directed evolution also demonstrated the evolutionary plasticity of the PanA antitoxin domain.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Zhang, Xiaojie Song, Cheng Chen, Lin Liu, Yangyang Xu, Ning Zhang, Weidong Huang, Jun Zheng, Wensu Yuan, Le Tang, Zhi Lin
Summary: In this study, a new toxin-antitoxin system was identified in Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. The structure of this system was determined, revealing its action mechanism. This research provides a structural basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms employed by human pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Aya Takashima, Hibiki Kawano, Tomomi Ueda, Chiho Suzuki-Minakuchi, Kazunori Okada, Hideaki Nojiri
Summary: The study identified a TA system (prcA/T) that can improve the stability of unstable plasmids in P. resinovorans and E. coli strains.
Article
Microbiology
Xudong Wang, Yumin Kan, Kaihong Bai, Xiaoli Xu, Xing Chen, Chengxuan Yu, Jia Shi, Na Jiang, Jianqiang Li, Laixin Luo
Summary: This study investigated a novel TA system in the phytopathogenic bacterium Acidovorax citrulli and found that it displays characteristics of both type II and type V TA systems. The Aave_1720 toxin functions as a ribonuclease, and the Aave_1719 antitoxin binds directly to Aave_1720 to inhibit its activity. Interestingly, Aave_1719 itself exhibits ribonuclease activity and targets Aave_1720 mRNA, indicating its ability to neutralize the toxin, similar to type V TA systems. The deletion of Aave_1720 and/or Aave_1719 affects biofilm formation and bacterial survival under sodium hypochlorite stress. These findings expand our understanding of TA systems and provide insights into a novel mechanism of toxin neutralization.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jingyi Zhou, Shouyi Li, Haozhou Li, Yongxin Jin, Fang Bai, Zhihui Cheng, Weihui Wu
Summary: A newly discovered TA system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa contributes to persister formation by reducing intracellular NAD(+) level, and this system is repressed by PA14_51020.
Article
Microbiology
Esther Shmidov, Ilana Lebenthal-Loinger, Shira Roth, Sarit Karako-Lampert, Itzhak Zander, Sivan Shoshani, Amos Danielli, Ehud Banin
Summary: The functions of bacterial TA systems are still disputed and poorly understood. This study sheds light on potential functions of bacterial TA systems. The novel type II TA system PrrT/A in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is found to regulate biofilm formation, motility, prophage induction, bacteriophage production, and aminoglycoside resistance, providing new insights into the diverse roles and impacts of TA systems in bacteria.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bing Wang, Irina Artsimovitch
Summary: Bacillus subtilis utilizes uncoupled transcription and translation strategies to meet its unique regulatory needs, showing that bacteria employ diverse gene expression strategies.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lidia Boss, Barbara Kedzierska
Summary: Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widely present in bacterial genomes and consist of stable toxins and unstable antitoxins. Cross-interactions between toxins and antitoxins of non-cognate modules may disrupt the balance and increase free toxin levels, which can be harmful to cells. TA systems can also regulate gene expression and cellular mRNA stability. Understanding the potential cross-interactions of TA systems is important for their practical applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaojie Song, Zhi Lin, Wensu Yuan
Summary: Toxin-antitoxin (TA) genetic modules, composed of stable toxins and less stable antitoxins, are widely found in bacterial chromosomes and mobile genetic elements. These modules play critical roles in the virulence and persistence of pathogenic bacteria.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kosuke Takada, Kotone Hama, Takaomi Sasaki, Yuichi Otsuka
Summary: The TA genetic modules play important roles in controlling bacterial events, while hokW-sokW in Sp5 phage serves as a novel function in facilitating the release of phage progeny through E. coli lysis.
Article
Cell Biology
Martin Cente, Stefan Zorad, Tomas Smolek, Lubica Fialova, Natalia Paulenka Ivanovova, Katarina Krskova, Lucia Balazova, Rostislav Skrabana, Peter Filipcik
Summary: The close relationship between Alzheimer's disease and obesity, mediated by the key adipokine leptin, was investigated in rat transgenic model. The study found decreased levels of plasma leptin and body weight, as well as a correlation between neurofibrillary pathology and leptin levels. The data suggests that plasma leptin could serve as a convenient biomarker for tauopathies and Alzheimer's disease.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Michal Bodik, Daniela Krajcikova, Jakub Hagara, Eva Majkova, Imrich Barak, Peter Siffalovic
Summary: The Bacillus subtilis spore coat is a bacterial proteinaceous structure with unique characteristics such as self-organization, toughness, and flexibility. It is composed of over 80 coat proteins, some of which form two-dimensional crystal structures. By applying Grazing-Incidence Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWAXS), researchers were able to investigate the diffraction pattern of CotY 2D crystals formed on Langmuir monolayer films. The diffractions obtained pave the way for determining the 3D structure of coat proteins using strong X-ray sources.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huijong Han, Ekaterina Round, Robin Schubert, Yasmin Gul, Jana Makroczyova, Domingo Meza, Philipp Heuser, Martin Aepfelbacher, Imrich Barak, Christian Betzel, Petra Fromme, Inari Kursula, Poul Nissen, Elena Tereschenko, Joachim Schulz, Charlotte Uetrecht, Jozef Ulicn, Matthias Wilmanns, Janos Hajdu, Victor S. Lamzin, Kristina Lorenzen
Summary: The success of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) in scientific research relies on high-performing X-ray lasers and quality samples, especially as biological samples have limited stability and key biomolecular transformations occur rapidly. The XBI BioLab at the European XFEL is an integrated user facility supporting a wide range of biological experiments, with facilities for sample preparation, cell cultivation, purification, and characterization, as well as laboratories for various microscopy techniques.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Daniela Krajcikova, Veronika Bugarova, Imrich Barak
Summary: This study investigates the interactions of key proteins involved in Bacillus subtilis endospore coat and cortex formation, revealing a complex network of interactions and the crucial role of protein cooperation in spore resistance and germination.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Nemergut, Rostislav Skrabana, Martin Berta, Andreas Plueckthun, Erik Sedlak
Summary: Maltose binding protein (MBP) is historically used as an expression tag to enhance solubility of fused proteins, with affinity purification improved by a protein-protein interaction approach using immobilized Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein off7 (DARPin off7). This new method simplifies the purification process of MBP fusion proteins, allowing for easy construction, resistance to amylase, insensitivity to maltose, and multiple reuse of the affinity matrix.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nad'a Labajova, Natalia Baranova, Miroslav Jurasek, Robert Vacha, Martin Loose, Imrich Barak
Summary: DivIVA is a protein involved in bacterial cell division, sporulation, genetic competence, and cell wall synthesis, and it preferentially binds to membranes containing negatively charged phospholipids in Clostridioides difficile. It localizes to regions of high membrane curvature and may have unknown active roles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristine Kitoka, Rostislav Skrabana, Norbert Gasparik, Jozef Hritz, Kristaps Jaudzems
Summary: Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, are challenging conditions with no well-established disease-modifying therapies. The distribution of tau protein pathology correlates with cognitive decline. NMR techniques play a significant role in studying tau aggregation pathways.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biophysics
James A. Brannigan, Anthony J. Wilkinson
Summary: Leishmaniasis, caused by various species of Leishmania parasites, poses a significant global health challenge. Current chemotherapy for the disease faces limitations, leading to the international priority of developing new anti-leishmanial drugs, with N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) being investigated as a potential drug target.
BIOPHYSICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenka Hornakova, Jakub Sinsky, Maria Janubova, Anna Mederlyova, Natalia Paulenka Ivanovova, Juraj Piestansky, Andrej Kovac, Jaroslav Galba, Rostislav Skrabana, Ondrej Cehlar
Summary: Tau protein is an intrinsically disordered protein that undergoes conformational changes on the local and molecular scale. The monoclonal antibody DC39C recognizes a linear C-terminal tau epitope and its binding parameters provide information about the tau protein structure. The study reveals differences in the accessibility of the C terminus in different tau isoforms and shows that removal of the C terminus accelerates the aggregation kinetics of three-repeat tau proteins. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of splicing-driven regulation of the tau C-terminal domain and its impact on microtubule assembly and pathological aggregation.
Article
Immunology
Anna Ohradanova-Repic, Rostislav Skrabana, Laura Gebetsberger, Gabor Tajti, Peter Barath, Gabriela Ondrovicova, Romana Prazenicova, Nikola Jantova, Patricia Hrasnova, Hannes Stockinger, Vladimir Leksa
Summary: The study demonstrates that lactoferricin and synthetic peptides derived from lactoferrin can inhibit TMPRSS2 and SARS-CoV-2 infection, making them potential candidates for preventing and treating COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Adam M. Hughes, John F. Darby, Eleanor J. Dodson, Samuel J. Wilson, Johan P. Turkenburg, Gavin H. Thomas, Anthony J. Wilkinson
Summary: Peptide transporters play important roles in nutrition and cell signaling in Bacillus subtilis. Crystal structures of the substrate binding proteins OppA and DppE have revealed their specific binding modes and substrates, shedding light on the uptake and recycling of peptides and their significance in bacterial adaptation and development.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anna Ohradanova-Repic, Romana Prazenicova, Laura Gebetsberger, Tetiana Moskalets, Rostislav Skrabana, Ondrej Cehlar, Gabor Tajti, Hannes Stockinger, Vladimir Leksa
Summary: Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is found in human exocrine fluids, especially breast milk. It has diverse roles in host defense, including modulating immune cell functions, sequestering iron, and binding to various surfaces. Lactoferrin can be cleaved to generate lactoferricin, which also has bioactive properties. This review discusses the structure, functions, and potential therapeutic uses of lactoferrin, lactoferricin, and other lactoferrin-derived peptides in treating infections and inflammatory conditions, with a focus on their potential use in treating COVID-19.
Article
Cell Biology
Timothy R. Ganderton, Daniel Ghete, Karen Hogg, Graeme J. Park, Christoph G. Baumann, Anthony J. Wilkinson, Paul R. Pryor
Summary: Rhodococcus equi is a Gram-positive intracellular pathogen associated with severe bronchopneumonial disease in foals. The production of virulence associated proteins (Vaps) by R. equi is crucial for its survival in host macrophages. VapA, VapK, and VapN have been shown to neutralize lysosomal pH and reduce lysosomal hydrolase activity, with VapN exhibiting the highest acid-neutralization activity. VapA can be substituted by VapK and VapB, which are produced by plasmids commonly found in porcine species, or by VapN, which is produced by plasmids commonly isolated from bovine and human samples. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of VapA, VapK, and VapN, and can guide the development of targeted therapeutics.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Klaudia Meskova, Katarina Martonova, Patricia Hrasnova, Kristina Sinska, Michaela Skrabanova, Lubica Fialova, Stefana Njemoga, Ondrej Cehlar, Olga Parmar, Petr Kolenko, Vladimir Pevala, Rostislav Skrabana
Summary: Laboratory production of recombinant mammalian proteins, particularly antibodies, can be achieved using transient gene expression in suspension-adapted Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines. This method allows for secretion of antibodies into the media and can be glycosylated. However, protein production in CHO cells can be costly and variable. Optimization can be done in aspects such as gene delivery, cultivation process, and expression plasmid design. In this study, a TGE platform for medium-scale production of antibodies and other proteins in CHO cells was proposed, using a new expression vector and recyclable labware to reduce production cost. The platform's potential was demonstrated through the production and crystallization of antibody Fabs and their complexes.
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Branislav Kovacech, Lubica Fialova, Peter Filipcik, Rostislav Skrabana, Monika Zilkova, Andrej Kovac, Gabriela Paulikova Rolkova, Katarina Tomkova, Natalia Turic Csokova, Karina Markova, Michaela Skrabanova, Petra Majerova, Jozef Hanes, Ondrej Cehlar, Martin Cente, Juraj Piestansky, Monika Slavikova, Kristina Borsova, Viktoria Cabanova, Bronislava Brejova, Tomas Vinar, Jozef Nosek, Boris Klempa, Ludek Eyer, Vaclav Honig, Martin Palus, Daniel Ruzek, Tereza Vyhlidalova, Petra Strakova, Blanka Mrazkova, Dagmar Zudova, Gizela Koubkova, Vendula Novosadova, Jan Prochazka, Radislav Sedlacek, Norbert Zilka, Eva Kontsekova
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)