Article
Immunology
Nan Duan, Xiaohui Ma, Heting Cui, Zhexuan Wang, Zhouyi Chai, Jiaqi Yan, Xiaoxiao Li, Yingxing Feng, Yu Cao, Yongxin Jin, Fang Bai, Weihui Wu, Yasuko Rikihisa, Zhihui Cheng
Summary: The study demonstrates that transcriptional regulators EcxR and Tr1 regulate the differential expression of omp-1B and p28 in E. chaffeensis. Tr1 shows a higher affinity towards the p28 promoter than the omp-1B promoter and can activate or repress gene expression based on temperature conditions. This insight into novel gene regulation mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutics for HME.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jiaqi Yan, Qi'an Liang, Zhouyi Chai, Nan Duan, Xiaoxiao Li, Yajing Liu, Nan Yang, Meifang Li, Yongxin Jin, Fang Bai, Weihui Wu, Zhihui Cheng
Summary: Ehrlichia chaffeensis utilizes two enzymes, GshA and GshB, to synthesize glutathione and a global transcriptional regulator, CtrA, to resist oxidative stress. These findings provide insights into the adaptation and pathogenesis of E. chaffeensis in hosts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Deborah C. Jaworski, Ying Wang, Arathy Nair, Huitao Liu, Roman R. Ganta
Summary: This study identified 55 mutations in E. chaffeensis, which demonstrated the critical nature of these genes for its growth in a canine infection model. Four mutations resulted in replication deficiency in the tick vector, similar to the vertebrate host. Additionally, three mutations caused growth defects only in the tick vector. The findings suggest that genes essential for growth in the canine host may not be essential for growth in the tick vector.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yasuko Rikihisa
Summary: Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an intracellular bacterium that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis. It enters human cells through binding to a specific receptor and manipulates host-cell functions for replication. Future research on the molecular mechanisms of this bacterium and its interaction with host-cell components may lead to advancements in the understanding and treatment of ehrlichiosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Malgorzata Kurkowiak, Sarah Fletcher, Alison Daniels, Pawel Mozolewski, Domenico Alessandro Silvestris, Ewelina Krol, Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, Ted Hupp, Christine Tait-Burkard
Summary: This study used an in vitro human cell infection model to assess RNA mutation types in two SARS-CoV-2 strains, the original and the alpha variants. The alpha variant showed a higher mutation frequency with C-U substitutions being the most observed. The results also suggested a deaminase-independent antiviral function of APOBECs in SARS-CoV-2 and that C-U editing might enhance genetic diversity for evolutionary adaptation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christophe Noroy, Damien F. Meyer
Summary: This study utilized the S4TE 2.0 software to predict type IV effectors in zoonotic bacteria of the Anaplasmataceae family, identifying a conserved core set of 92 effectors shared by all strains and 69 strain-specific effectors. Additionally, new protein domain combinations were discovered, suggesting novel functions for these effectors and providing guidance for future research and development of antimicrobial strategies.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ran Mo, Wenhui Ma, Weijie Zhou, Beile Gao
Summary: The CheO protein plays a crucial role in the chemotactic control of flagellar rotation in Campylobacter jejuni, enabling its colonization in the gut of mice under oxygen-limiting conditions. This study provides insights into the adaptation strategy of C. jejuni to hypoxia conditions in the intestines of humans and animals. Targeting CheO and other chemotaxis regulators could potentially reduce C. jejuni survival in hosts and the food chain.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Julian Rodriguez-Algaba, Mogens S. Hovmoller, Philipp Schulz, Jens G. Hansen, Juan Antonio Lezaun, Jessica Joaquim, Biagio Randazzo, Pawel Czembor, Liga Zemeca, Svetlana Slikova, Alena Hanzalova, Sarah Holdgate, Sarah Wilderspin, Fabio Mascher, Frederic Suffert, Marc Leconte, Kerstin Flath, Annemarie F. Justesen
Summary: This study investigates the functional role of Berberis species in the current epidemiological situation of cereal stem rust in Europe. The results show the presence of different special forms of P. graminis adapted to different cereal and grass species, and multiple special forms confirmed through inoculation studies. Additionally, the study reveals the generation of novel genetic diversity on wheat, barley, and rye, indicating the risk posed by the sexual cycle to cereal production in Europe.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Samuel B. Anyona, Evans Raballah, Qiuying Cheng, Ivy Hurwitz, Caroline Ndege, Elly Munde, Walter Otieno, Philip D. Seidenberg, Kristan A. Schneider, Christophe G. Lambert, Benjamin H. McMahon, Collins Ouma, Douglas J. Perkins
Summary: A study conducted on Kenyan children revealed that the expression of certain ubiquitination genes is regulated in children with SMA, affecting the Ubiquitin-Proteasomal Proteolysis process. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism by which protein coding genes of the ubiquitination processes are involved in the pathogenesis of SMA.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vipin Singh Rana, Chrysoula Kitsou, J. Stephen Dumler, Utpal Pal
Summary: Tick-transmitted bacterial pathogens have robust immune evasion strategies to counteract host responses and ensure successful persistence or transmission. Study on these strategies in Lyme disease spirochetes and rickettsial or tularemia agents can improve our understanding of tick-borne diseases and contribute to prevention development.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher J. Minnis, StJohn Townsend, Julia Petschnigg, Elisa Tinelli, Jurg Bahler, Claire Russell, Sara E. Mole
Summary: Juvenile CLN3 disease is a recessively inherited pediatric neurodegenerative disorder caused by a 1-kb intragenic deletion in the CLN3 gene. Research has found that this deletion transcript has three consequences for CLN3, affecting the potential therapeutic development of the disease. Additionally, this study's concept could be applied to other monogenic disorders or genes of interest to enhance personalized medicine goals and improve treatment outcomes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marija Buljan, Amir Banaei-Esfahani, Peter Blattmann, Fabienne Meier-Abt, Wenguang Shao, Olga Vitek, Hua Tang, Ruedi Aebersold
Summary: In this study, a computational algorithm was developed to detect altered protein complexes based on the systematic assessment of subunit ratios from quantitative proteomic measurements. By applying this algorithm, significant remodeling of HDAC2 epigenetic complexes in breast cancer was identified.
Article
Entomology
Alix E. Matthews, Cody J. Barnett, Than J. Boves
Summary: Host specificity is an important trait of symbionts, but the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. This study compared the survival and dispersal traits of two species of feather mites and found that the host generalist had a longer lifespan, while the host specialist dispersed more rapidly. This may be influenced by the different environmental and ecological conditions of the hosts.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mahmoud M. Naguib, Per Eriksson, Elinor Jax, Michelle Wille, Cecilia Lindskog, Caroline Brojer, Janina Krambrich, Jonas Waldenstrom, Robert H. S. Kraus, Goran Larson, Ake Lundkvist, Bjorn Olsen, Josef D. Jarhult, Patrik Ellstrom
Summary: This study investigates the infection outcomes and immune responses in two avian hosts, tufted ducks and chickens, following infection with different mallard-origin influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes. The results show that the infection and shedding patterns, as well as the innate immune responses, are highly dependent on viral subtypes, host species, and inoculation routes. These findings provide new insights into the interspecies transmission of IAV and are important for understanding its zoonotic ecology.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Annalisa Vetro, Cristiana Pelorosso, Simona Balestrini, Alessio Masi, Sophie Hambleton, Emanuela Argilli, Valerio Conti, Simone Giubbolini, Rebekah Barrick, Gaber Bergant, Karin Writzl, Emilia K. Bijlsma, Theresa Brunet, Pilar Cacheiro, Davide Mei, Anita Devlin, Mariette J. V. Hoffer, Keren Machol, Guido Mannaioni, Masamune Sakamoto, Manoj P. Menezes, Thomas Courtin, Elliott Sherr, Riccardo Parra, Ruth Richardson, Tony Roscioli, Marcello Scala, Celina von Stuelpnagel, Damian Smedley, Annalaura Torella, Jun Tohyama, Reiko Koichihara, Keisuke Hamada, Kazuhiro Ogata, Takashi Suzuki, Atsushi Sugie, Jasper J. van der Smagt, Koen van Gassen, Stephanie Valence, Emma Vittery, Stephen Malone, Mitsuhiro Kato, Naomichi Matsumoto, Gian Michele Ratto, Renzo Guerrini
Summary: Mutations in stretch-activated ion channels, specifically TMEM63B, are associated with severe neurological disorders and hematological abnormalities. The mutated channels exhibit inward leak cation currents even under isotonic conditions and impaired response to hypo-osmotic challenge.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)