Article
Microbiology
Jorge Vinales, Joshua Sackett, Leah Trutschel, Waleed Amir, Casey Norman, Edmund Leach, Elizabeth Wilbanks, Annette Rowe
Summary: This study characterized the features of two obligately heterotrophic marine microbes that were previously isolated from marine sediment cathode enrichments. The genomic analysis revealed small genome sizes and phylogenetic relationship with the genus Idiomarina. Furthermore, these microbes were found to primarily use amino acids as carbon sources and showed sustained electron uptake in an electrochemical system.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sarah J. Kennedy, Celine Grace F. Atkinson, Brooke R. Tomlinson, Lauren Hammond, Prahathees Eswara, Bill J. Baker, Lindsey N. Shaw
Summary: The concept of bacterial dark matter arises from the inability to culture most microbes, with the domestication of a previously uncultured species revealing genomic atrophy and mutations correlated with enhanced growth rates but diminished amino acid metabolism capacity. Wild-type strains showed greater antibacterial potential due to extensive mutational attrition, suggesting that the shedding of genomic flexibility in a dynamic environment allowed for newfound cultivated amenability.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Davide Pagnossin, Andrew Smith, Katarina Oravcova, William Weir
Summary: In this review, existing knowledge on Streptococcus canis is gathered and its epidemiology, virulence factors, classification schemes, and antimicrobial resistance are described. The current understanding of the pathogen's virulence mechanisms and classification is limited, and further research is needed. The zoonotic potential of Streptococcus canis is also discussed, emphasizing the need for more evidence in this area.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hunter N. Hines, Peter J. McCarthy, Genoveva F. Esteban
Summary: The genus Pseudoblepharisma has been discovered in subtropical freshwaters of Florida, USA, diverging from the European species by its larger size, higher density of intracellular symbiotic green algae, and the presence of a lorica. Unlike its European counterparts, the Florida strain does not have endosymbiotic purple bacteria. The first 18S rRNA gene sequence for this species has been provided, allowing further investigations into the biogeography of this genus.
Article
Ecology
Ana Marina Pedrolo, Filipe Pereira Matteoli, Claudio Roberto Fonseca Sousa Soares, Ana Carolina Maisonnave Arisi
Summary: The genus Herbaspirillum has gained attention for its potential diazotrophic strains and beneficial effects on plant growth. However, further exploration revealed that this genus is not limited to plant beneficial interactions, but also involved in phytopathogenesis and nosocomial infections. Through genome analysis and phylogenetic study, we found that all described Herbaspirillum species are well defined, except for H. aquaticum and H. huttiense. We also discovered that the nif genes are highly prevalent in H. rubrisubalbicans, but share a similar gene arrangement and ancestral origin with other Herbaspirillum species.
Article
Microbiology
Zaki Saati-Santamaria, Riccardo Baroncelli, Raul Rivas, Paula Garcia-Fraile
Summary: Each Earth ecosystem has unique microbial communities, and Pseudomonas bacteria have evolved to adapt to different ecological niches and interact with different hosts. This study revealed the functional divergence of Pseudomonas depending on the niche, with each group of strains from a certain environment harboring distinct metabolic pathways or functions. Horizontal gene transfer was found to occur mainly between closely related taxa and was dependent on the isolation source. Additionally, numerous undescribed proteins and functions associated with each Pseudomonas lifestyle were discovered.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristiina Vind, Cristina Brunati, Matteo Simone, Margherita Sosio, Stefano Donadio, Marianna Iorio
Summary: In this study, the genome and metabolome of a talented strain, Streptomyces ID71268, were described. The strain exhibited the potential to produce a variety of metabolites, including known compounds and potentially novel compounds. One of the identified metabolites, megalochelin, is the largest siderophore known to date. It was found to possess antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii in an iron-dependent manner.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Luca Massimino, Orazio Palmieri, Amanda Facoetti, Davide Fuggetta, Salvatore Spano, Luigi Antonio Lamparelli, Silvia D'Alessio, Stefania Cagliani, Federica Furfaro, Ferdinando D'Amico, Alessandra Zilli, Gionata Fiorino, Tommaso Lorenzo Parigi, Daniele Noviello, Anna Latiano, Fabrizio Bossa, Tiziana Latiano, Alessandra Pirola, Luca Mologni, Rocco Giovanni Piazza, Danilo Abbati, Francesco Perri, Chiara Bonini, Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Alberto Malesci, Vipul Jairath, Silvio Danese, Federica Ungaro
Summary: This study found that the virome-associated protein encoded by the hepatitis B virus (HBx) is detected in about 45% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and is associated with UC progression. Experimental findings showed that HBx induces colonic inflammation and its silencing reverses the colitis phenotype. HBx acts as a transcriptional regulator in epithelial cells, leading to barrier leakage and altering mucosal immunity. This study provides a new perspective on targeted treatments for the virome composition of the gut microbiota.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Momina Anis Motiwala, Saqib Habib, Robia Ghafoor, Seema Irfan
Summary: This study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of Calcipex and Metapex in endodontic treatment of teeth with chronic apical periodontitis by assessing bacterial load reduction. The results will be disseminated through annual reports, peer-reviewed journals, and conferences.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Giorgia Caruana, Antonios Kritikos, Anthony Vocat, Amanda Luraschi, Eric Delarze, Alexander Sturm, Marta Pla Verge, Grzegorz Jozwiak, Samidha Kushwaha, Julie Delaloye, Danuta Cichocka, Gilbert Greub
Summary: This study aims to determine the agreement of the Resistell AST on Gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood cultures. It is a single-centre, prospective, cross-sectional, single-arm diagnostic accuracy study with ethical approval. The results will be widely disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Douglas G. Capone
Summary: Underwater seagrasses may partner with bacteria to obtain nitrogen, similar to how many land plants do, but further research is needed to understand the exact mechanism.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Grace Wezi Mzumara, Michael Mambiya, Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
Summary: The increasing antimicrobial resistance in low resource settings necessitates the development of context-specific interventions for antimicrobial stewardship to curb the problem. This systematic review aims to examine antimicrobial stewardship approaches in least developed and low-income countries, with the ultimate goal of supporting the development of AMS protocols for these settings to combat AMR.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valerie Mizrahi, Clifton E. Barry III
Summary: The Cryo-EM data demonstrates how bedaquiline inhibits the ATP synthase enzyme. Understanding the structural data on how an anti-tuberculosis drug works could lead to improvements in therapeutic options for the disease. The findings also shed light on the functioning of the drug's target, the ATP synthase enzyme.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christoph Federer, Markus Kurpiers, Andreas Bernkop-Schnurch
Summary: Thiolation of chitosan allows for customization of various properties to meet specific needs in a wide range of application areas, with advantageous characteristics such as adhesion, adjustable cross-linking and swelling behavior, controllable drug release, cellular uptake enhancement, complexation of metal ions, and antioxidative properties, while remaining biodegradable without increased toxicity.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alice Bertocchi, Fiona Powrie
Summary: Abnormalities in gut bacteria can lead to hard-to-treat illnesses like inflammatory bowel diseases. Targeting bacteria with viruses shows promise in addressing these conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yongchen Wang, Venkaiah Chintalapudi, Haraldur G. Gudmundsson, Gregory L. Challis, Edward A. Anderson
Summary: The stereochemical assignment of macrolide antibiotics stambomycins A-D was based on sequence analysis of the associated polyketide synthase, except for two stereocentres at C28 and C50. The synthesis of two C50 diastereomers of the C33-C51 region of the stambomycins confirms the PKS-based configurational assignment and establishes a strategy for accessing the extended stambomycin framework.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Harriet Harden-Davies, Diva J. Amon, Tyler-Rae Chung, Judith Gobin, Quentin Hanich, Kahlil Hassanali, Marcel Jaspars, Angelique Pouponneau, Katy Soapi, Sheena Talma, Marjo Vierros
Summary: Capacity building is crucial for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction. Strengthening the international legal framework, funding, information-sharing, monitoring and decision-making is essential to address the persisting gaps in scientific capacity. The upcoming negotiations for the BBNJ Agreement present a critical opportunity to secure effective and equitable outcomes for the global ocean commons.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Nursheena Parveen Katermeran, Wee Han Poh, Teo Min Ben Goh, Lik Tong Tan, Oluwatofunmilayo Diyaolu, Jioji Tabudravu, Rainer Ebel, Scott A. Rice, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: Natural products derived from marine sponges have shown inhibitory activity against quorum sensing, preventing biofilm formation and reducing virulence factor expression by pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, psammaplin-type compounds from Aplysinella rhax were evaluated and found to have significant inhibitory effects.
Article
Forestry
Faizah N. Alenezi, Ali Chenari Bouket, Hafsa Cherif-Silini, Allaoua Silini, Marcel Jaspars, Tomasz Oszako, Lassaad Belbahri
Summary: The Aneurinibacillus migulanus (A. migulanus) strains Nagano and NCTC 7096 have been proven to be powerful biocontrol agents against plant diseases. The cyclic peptide gramicidin S (GS) produced by both strains plays a major role in inhibiting bacteria and fungus-like organisms. A mutant of the Nagano strain impaired in GS biosynthesis showed a total loss of biocontrol ability, highlighting the importance of GS in the biocontrol potential of A. migulanus Nagano strain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nerilson M. Lima, Gagan Preet, Sara R. Marqui, Thais de O. R. S. Falcoski, Geovana Navegante, Christiane P. Soares, Teresinha de Jesus A. S. Andrade, Felipe A. La Porta, Harinantenaina Liva R. Rakotondraie, Marcel Jaspars, Dulce H. S. Silva
Summary: This study evaluated the metabolic profiling and antigenotoxicity of Inga species with potential antitumor effects. It also used a proteomic approach to investigate the response of HepG2 cells to polyphenols isolated from I. laurina. The results showed cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines and identified potential bioactive compounds. The proteomic analysis revealed proteins related to ROS elimination, DNA repair, tumor protein expression, and apoptosis.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Joy Ebenezer Rajakulendran, Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: A new ent-halimane diterpenoid, fosbergenone (1), was isolated from the foliar bud exudate of Gardenia fosbergii. The structure of compound 1 was determined based on spectroscopic data including IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahlam Haj Hasan, Gagan Preet, Bruce Forbes Milne, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: Cowpox is a zoonotic disease caused by a DNA virus called cowpox virus (CPXV) belonging to the Orthopoxvirus family. CPXV's natural hosts are wild rodents and it is considered the most common orthopoxviral infection in Europe. Although cowpox is usually self-limiting, severe cases may require cidofovir or anti-vaccinia gammaglobulin. This study identified three potential anti-cowpox agents through molecular docking analysis and suggested further in vitro and in silico studies for future design of cowpox virus inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gagan Preet, Rishi Vachaspathy Astakala, Jessica Gomez-Banderas, Joy Ebenezer Rajakulendran, Ahlam Haj Hasan, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: Marine biofouling is a major problem for marine vessels and the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries, causing economic losses. The use of natural products, specifically anthraquinones (AQs), as anti-fouling agents shows promise. This study analyzed 2194 compounds from the COCONUT natural products database to identify AQ-related structures with anti-fouling potential. Molecular docking analysis revealed 76 highly docked AQ structures, and structure-based pharmacophore modeling resulted in six unique pharmacophore features.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oluwatofunmilayo A. Diyaolu, Gagan Preet, Adeshola A. Fagbemi, Frederick Annang, Guiomar Perez-Moreno, Cristina Bosch-Navarrete, Olusoji O. Adebisi, Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Bruce F. Milne, Marcel Jaspars, Rainer Ebel
Summary: We investigated a fungal strain UIAU-3F identified as Aspergillus fumigatus collected from soil samples obtained from the River Oyun in Kwara State, Nigeria. The strain was cultured in three different fermentation media to explore its chemical diversity, resulting in varying chemical profiles as shown by LC-ESI-MS-based metabolomics and multivariate analysis. Two known compounds, fumitremorgin C (1) and pseurotin D (2), were isolated from the methanolic extract. Compound 1 showed moderate activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum, with IC50 values of 9.6 μM and 2.3 μM, respectively, while compound 2 displayed IC50 values > 50 μM. Molecular docking analysis was performed to investigate the potential mechanism of the antitrypanosomal and antiplasmodial activities of these compounds on major protein targets.
Correction
Chemistry, Organic
Joy Ebenezer Rajakulendran, Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nerilson M. Lima, Gesiane S. Lima, Gabriel F. dos Santos, Gagan Preet, Lanaia I. L. Maciel, Teresinha de Jesus A. S. Andrade, Marcel Jaspars, Andrea R. Chaves, Boniek G. Vaz
Summary: A combination of liquid chromatography electrospray ionization and paper spray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite fingerprinting of cupuassu pulp extracts prepared with different solvents. Methanol was found to be effective in extracting phenols and cinnamic acids derivatives, while acetonitrile and acetonitrile/methanol were more effective in extracting terpenoids and flavonoids, respectively. Paper spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry showed potential as a screening technique. The study also identified major metabolites with antioxidant activity and generated a pharmacophore model for the design of new antioxidants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gagan Preet, Ahlam Haj Hasan, Piteesha Ramlagan, Shameem Fawdar, Fabien Boulle, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: An anti-neurodegeneration activity study was conducted on 80 flavonoid compounds, and key structures with neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities were identified. Furthermore, a molecular docking study revealed the binding strength between three active compounds and 21 similar structures.
Article
Microbiology
Kevin Jace Miranda, Saif Jaber, Dana Atoum, Subha Arjunan, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars, Ruangelie Edrada-Ebel
Summary: Genome mining and metabolomics are valuable tools in natural products research. In this study, a new compound called pseudomonassin was isolated from a deep-sea organism using a co-cultivation approach. Metabolomics analysis revealed other potential metabolites.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Gagan Preet, Rishi Vachaspathy Astakala, Joy Ebenezer Rajakulendran, Emmanuel T. Oluwabusola, Rainer Ebel, Marcel Jaspars
Summary: The Atacama Desert is an unexplored habitat with microorganisms that have adapted to survive extreme salinity and high UV radiation, indicating interesting possibilities for natural product chemistry. This study isolated and characterized a new diketopiperazine from fungi in the Atacama Desert using LC-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sylvain Aubry, Christine Frison, Jorge C. Medaglia, Emile Frison, Marcel Jaspars, Muriel Rabone, Aysegul Sirakaya, Devanshi Saxena, Esther van Zimmeren
Summary: Given the digitization of genetic resources, it is necessary to establish a multi-stakeholder committee to govern digital sequence information and address governance issues. This committee aims to evaluate the position and role of digital sequence information within existing frameworks and mitigate global governance issues associated with the digitization of genetic resources.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2022)
