Article
Immunology
Leticia Silva Santos, Daise Aparecida Rossi, Raquelline Figueiredo Braz, Belchiolina Beatriz Fonseca, Micaela Guidotti-Takeuchi, Rosiane Nascimento Alves, Marcelo Emilio Beletti, Hebreia Oliveira Almeida-Souza, Larissa Prado Maia, Paula de Souza Santos, Jessica Brito de Souza, Roberta Torres de Melo
Summary: Despite being considered fragile and fastidious, Campylobacter jejuni is the most prevalent cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis, especially through chicken meat transmission. Extreme stress can induce the acquisition of the viable but not culturable (VBNC) state in C. jejuni, which demonstrates its adaptability and virulence. The presence of transcripts, cell lysis, and specific metabolites in the VBNC form further emphasize the potential danger and difficulty in detection of this latent pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Catia Pacifico, Marc M. S. M. Woesten, Friederike Hilbert
Summary: Campylobacter (C.) spp. are significant foodborne, bacterial, and zoonotic pathogens globally. It is crucial to monitor the resistance of foodborne bacterial pathogens as a part of the One Health approach to control antimicrobial resistance. The discovery and functionality of new resistance genes are important for improving screening methods using whole genome sequencing (WGS). The tet(O)_3 gene, similar to tet(O) in Streptococcus pneumoniae, has been identified in C. jejuni isolates, conferring tetracycline resistance below the epidemiological cut-off value. These isolates also possess other resistance genes, such as fluoroquinolone resistance and a multidrug efflux pump.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nuanpan Khemnu, Oralak Serichantalergs, Sirigade Ruekit, Paphavee Lertsethtakarn, Frederic Poly, Brett E. Swierczewski, John M. Crawford
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea worldwide and is linked to various complications including Guillain-Barre Syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, reactive arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. C. jejuni possesses the ability to form a polysaccharide capsule on its surface, which is atypical for an intestinal pathogen. The hypervariable region of the C. jejuni genome contains the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of the phase-variable capsule, which has been classified using multiplex PCR based on Penner serotypes. However, there are still C. jejuni strains with untypeable capsules using the current multiplex PCR method. This study used next generation sequencing and whole genome analysis software to identify novel capsule biosynthesis loci in C. jejuni isolates. Unique PCR primers were designed for the identification of these new loci, and a new multiplex mix called epsilon was developed. The addition of these unique sequences complements the current C. jejuni multiplex capsule typing system and enables the identification of previously untypeable capsule loci in C. jejuni isolates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nikola Ondrikova, Helen E. Clough, Amy Douglas, Miren Iturriza-Gomara, Lesley Larkin, Roberto Vivancos, John P. Harris, Nigel A. Cunliffe
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic had a more adverse impact on laboratory reporting of norovirus compared to Campylobacter in England. This may be explained by stronger behavioral interventions affecting norovirus transmission and a greater reduction in norovirus testing capacity. The study highlights the differential impact a pandemic can have on surveillance of gastrointestinal infectious diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohamad Mortada, Douglas E. Cosby, Gabriel Akerele, Nour Ramadan, Jarred Oxford, Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Theros T. Ng, Ramesh K. Selvaraj
Summary: This study investigated the immune response of chickens to Campylobacter jejuni colonization, revealing that challenged birds showed persistent colonization in the ceca with subsequent dissemination to the spleen and liver. The increase in anti-Campylobacter antibodies in the serum and bile, suppression of T-lymphocytes, and changes in mRNA levels and cytokine production indicate a complex immune response. The balanced Th1 and Th2 immune responses against C. jejuni may play a role in bacterial colonization and the lack of pathology in challenged birds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael Tristao Cruvinel Silva, Micaela Guidotti-Takeuchi, Jessica Laura Miranda Peixoto, Fernanda Manaia Demarqui, Ananda Paula Mori, Carolyne Ferreira Dumont, Gabriella Rayane Aparecida Ferreira, Gabriele de Menezes Pereira, Daise Aparecida Rossi, Pedro Paulo Corbi, Fernando Rogerio Pavan, Celso de Oliveira Rezende Junior, Roberta Torres de Melo, Wendell Guerra
Summary: This work presents the synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of four palladium(II) complexes. The complexes showed high antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain and Campylobacter jejuni. Complex 2 exhibited the highest activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.28 mu g/mL against M. tuberculosis. Complex 1 significantly reduced the bacterial population and biomass intensity of C. jejuni.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amber D. Gabbert, Jennifer L. Mydosh, Prabhat K. Talukdar, Lisa M. Gloss, Jason E. McDermott, Kerry K. Cooper, Geremy C. Clair, Michael E. Konkel
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, causing millions of cases of inflammatory diarrhea. It is associated with post-infection complications in developed countries and malnutrition and growth-stunting in low- and middle-income countries. Our understanding of C. jejuni pathogenesis is incomplete, but we focus on the secretion systems and their role in host-cell interactions and disease establishment. The flagellar type III secretion system and putative effectors are of particular interest.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiantian Li, Jianjun Wang, Xinhao Zhu, Xin Zhou, Shaozi Sun, Peng Wang, Hongzhi Cao, Guangli Yu, Ming Li
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni, the leading cause of human diarrheal diseases, has been studied for potential antigens for innovative antibacterial glycoconjugation vaccines to address its high resistance. A novel method for synthesizing uncommon n-/L-6dHepp fluorides as glycosylating agents has been developed, allowing for the efficient construction of complex structures like the capsular polysaccharides of C. jejuni. This synthetic approach could serve as a rational starting point for developing synthetic vaccines combating Campylobacter infection.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Basanta R. Wagle, Annie M. Donoghue, Palmy R. Jesudhasan
Summary: The study demonstrates that allyl sulfide and ginger oil can significantly reduce Campylobacter in poultry meat, while curcumin and other phytochemicals also reduce adhesion and quorum sensing of the bacteria, leading to cell membrane damage or death.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harald Nothaft, Xiaoming Bian, Asif Shajahan, William G. Miller, David T. Bolick, Richard L. Guerrant, Parastoo Azadi, Kenneth K. S. Ng, Christine M. Szymanski
Summary: The study identified C. jejuni isolates expressing a hexasaccharide lacking the glucose branch, caused by a missing aspartate in the DXDD motif of the glucosyltransferase PglI. Mouse vaccination with E. coli expressing the full-length heptasaccharide demonstrated reduction in C. jejuni colonization and weight loss. The study suggests the importance of considering glucose inclusion in N-glycan-based vaccines for preventing campylobacteriosis.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Deborah A. Ribardo, Jeremiah J. Johnson, David R. Hendrixson
Summary: The study reveals how the flagellar motor of Campylobacter jejuni modulates swimming velocity in different viscosity environments. VidA and VidB are identified as the primary determinants, with VidA being required for swimming in low-viscosity environments and VidB acting as a brake or clutch to slow swimming velocity in low-viscosity environments.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xuefeng Cao, Chris H. A. van de Lest, Liane Z. X. Huang, Jos P. M. van Putten, Marc M. S. M. Wosten
Summary: Research reveals that lysophospholipids of Campylobacter jejuni have toxicity to host cells, especially the short-chain lysoPEs (C:14) may be considered as a novel virulence factor.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su-jin Lee, Si Yeon Ahn, Han Byeol Oh, Seung Yeon Kim, Wan Seok Song, Sung-il Yoon
Summary: The recombination mediator complex RecFOR is necessary for initiating homologous recombination in bacteria. Our study focused on Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria that lacks the recF gene and uses only RecR and RecO for recombination initiation. We determined the crystal structure of cjRecR and found differences in its binding properties compared to RecR from other bacteria that express RecF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Craig T. Parker, Kerry K. Cooper, Francesca Schiaffino, William G. Miller, Steven Huynh, Hannah K. Gray, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Paul Garcia Bardales, Dixner Rengifo Trigoso, Pablo Penataro-Yori, Margaret N. Kosek
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, and this study isolated and sequenced two C. jejuni strains from guinea pigs in the Peruvian Amazon, revealing unique genomic features that may be associated with guinea pig host specialization.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juyeong Hong, Kexin Xu, Ji Hoon Lee
Summary: This study reviews the function of m(6)A modification in cancer and its association with DNA damage response and genomic stability, proposing potential therapeutic strategies.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Todd L. Lowary, Jacqueline M. Achkar
Summary: Researchers have identified the structures of LAM from three epidemiologically important lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and explored their interaction with an anti-LAM monoclonal antibody, providing insights for improving U-LAM based diagnostics.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Gonzalez-Cuesta, Peter Sidhu, Roger A. Ashmus, Alexandra Males, Cameron Proceviat, Zarina Madden, Jason C. Rogalski, Jil A. Busmann, Leonard J. Foster, Jose M. Garcia Fernandez, Gideon J. Davies, Carmen Ortiz Mellet, David J. Vocadlo
Summary: Due to its important roles in human health and disease, the modification of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and mitochondrial proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues (O-GlcNAc) has attracted great interest. In this study, we describe highly selective and potent inhibitors of human OGA, which is one of the enzymes responsible for regulating O-GlcNAc modification. These inhibitors have been rationally designed and their structures reveal the basis for their exceptional potency. By leveraging the structure of these inhibitors, we have also developed a chemoproteomic probe that allows for the purification of endogenous OGA and the mapping of its post-translational modifications. We expect that these inhibitors and probes will serve as valuable tools for investigating the regulation and cellular functions of OGA and other carbohydrate active enzymes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Taeok Kim, Michael R. Bell, V. Narasimharao Thota, Todd L. Lowary
Summary: This study reports a one-pot strategy for functionalizing pyranoside 1,2-cis-diols with two different ester protecting groups. The approach selectively acylates through orthoester hydrolysis promoted by a carboxylic acid, and after removal of water and introduction of a coupling agent, the carboxylic acid is esterified with the liberated hydroxyl group. Although applied to 1,2-cis-diols on pyranoside scaffolds, this method can be applicable to similar motifs on any six-membered ring.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Immacolata Speciale, Anna Notaro, Chantal Abergel, Rosa Lanzetta, Todd L. Lowary, Antonio Molinaro, Michela Tonetti, James L. Van Etten, Cristina De Castro
Summary: Viruses are a diverse group of entities that require a suitable host for replication. Recently discovered large and giant viruses have their own glycosylation pathway, different from the traditional paradigm where viral glycans mimic those of the host. This review focuses on large and giant viruses that produce carbohydrate-processing enzymes and discusses achievements in elucidating glycan structures, manipulating sugars, and organic synthesis of virus-encoded glycans.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Sheng Yang, Chun-Jui Chu, Todd L. Lowary
Summary: In this study, we achieved the de novo asymmetric synthesis of 3,6-dideoxy sugars abequose, paratose, and tyvelose from 2-acetylfuran. By a series of reactions, we obtained the target products successfully.
Article
Microbiology
Andrey V. Karlyshev
Summary: The complete genome sequence of Campylobacter jejuni strain X, which contains two plasmids similar to pVir and pTet identified in strain 81-176, was reported. Analysis of other complete genome sequences in GenBank revealed the presence of similar plasmids in several other strains, suggesting a common origin.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ke Shen, Todd L. Lowary
Summary: A route for preparing lipooligosaccharide (LOS) glycans from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Canetti was developed, and successfully applied to the synthesis of the most complex structure, LOS II. The key features of this strategy include the stereoselective synthesis of an asymmetrically substituted trehalose moiety and several chemoselective glycosylations involving thioglycoside donors.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christine M. Szymanski
Summary: Each microbe can produce a wide variety of sugar structures that are distinct from those in eukaryotes. Differences in carbohydrate building blocks and additional mechanisms for synthesis contribute to the structural heterogeneity of individual strains. Past research focused more on human pathogens, but recent advances in technology have highlighted the importance of studying microbial glycan diversity in commensals and environmental isolates.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vyacheslav M. Abramov, Igor Kosarev, Andrey Machulin, Tatiana Priputnevich, Irina O. Chikileva, Evgenia Deryusheva, Tatiana N. Abashina, Almira D. Donetskova, Alexander N. Panin, Vyacheslav G. Melnikov, Nataliya E. Suzina, Ilia N. Nikonov, Marina Selina, Valentin S. Khlebnikov, Vadim K. Sakulin, Raisa N. Vasilenko, Vladimir A. Samoilenko, Vladimir N. Uversky, Andrey Karlyshev
Summary: Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain 3872 (LF3872) is a strain isolated from the breast milk of a healthy woman, which exhibits antibacterial activity and immunoregulatory properties. It shows strong bacteriolytic action against Gram-positive pathogens and co-aggregation with Gram-negative pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
E. Y. Abidueva, E. B. Kudryashova, E. V. Ariskina, Sh. -W. Liu, Ch. -H. Sun, A. V. Karlyshev
Summary: A gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile bacterium, Alg18-2.2(T), was isolated from a highly alkaline-saline lake in Buryatia, Russia. The bacterium can tolerate high pH and salt concentrations and belongs to the family Lysobacteraceae. Based on phylogenetic and genomic analysis, a new genus and species Alkalisalibacterium limincola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vyacheslav M. Abramov, Igor V. Kosarev, Andrey V. Machulin, Tatiana V. Priputnevich, Evgenia I. Deryusheva, Ekaterina L. Nemashkalova, Irina O. Chikileva, Tatiana N. Abashina, Alexander N. Panin, Vyacheslav G. Melnikov, Nataliya E. Suzina, Ilia N. Nikonov, Marina V. Selina, Valentin S. Khlebnikov, Vadim K. Sakulin, Vladimir A. Samoilenko, Alexey B. Gordeev, Gennady T. Sukhikh, Vladimir N. Uversky, Andrey V. Karlyshev
Summary: LF3872 strain from a lactating woman produces a thermolabile class III bacteriolysin (BLF3872) that exhibits antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. The study is important for developing new drugs against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains circulating in both human and animal environments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven D. Kelly, Olga G. Ovchinnikova, Fabian Mueller, Michael Steffen, Martin Braun, Ryan P. Sweeney, Michael Kowarik, Rainer Follador, Todd L. Lowary, Fabio Serventi, Chris Whitfield
Summary: Carbapenemase and extended beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates are a major health threat, and immunotherapeutic approaches are being explored to combat Klebsiella infections. This study focuses on the O antigen polysaccharides as potential targets for immunotherapeutic development. The authors describe the presence of a previously unknown glycoform and provide mechanistic understanding of antigenic diversity in bacteria.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silke Andresen, Nicholas de Mojana di Cologna, Stephanie Archer-Hartmann, Ashley M. Rogers, Sandip Samaddar, Tridib Ganguly, Ian M. Black, John Glushka, Kenneth K. S. Ng, Parastoo Azadi, Jose A. Lemos, Jacqueline Abranches, Christine M. Szymanski
Summary: Streptococcus mutans, a key pathogen in dental caries, can form biofilms on tooth surfaces and efficiently colonize collagenous substrates. The present study aimed to better understand the glycosylation of the collagen-binding protein Cnm and characterize the 4-epimerase PgfE.
Article
Microbiology
Bibi Zhou, Jolene M. Garber, Jiri Vlach, Parastoo Azadi, Kenneth K. S. Ng, Jorge C. Escalante-Semerena, Christine M. Szymanski
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of bacterial diarrhea globally, and its infection in infants in low- and middle-income countries is associated with growth stunting. A previous study found that breastfed infants from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia were less frequently colonized with l-fucose-metabolizing C. jejuni compared to strains that cannot metabolize sugars. The study also showed that a specific enzyme called FucX could affect l-fucose chemotaxis by altering the cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio. This research provides a possible explanation for why l-fucose-metabolizing C. jejuni strains swim away from intestinal epithelial cells towards free fucose in the gut lumen, where they are cleared by breastfed infants.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashley M. Rogers, Robert T. Patry, Harald Nothaft, Robert Bridger, Lauren Pepi, Asif Shajahan, Parastoo Azadi, Lance Wells, Christine M. Szymanski