Article
Fisheries
Wei Wang, Furong Zhao, Qian Li, Yonghua Lin, Chen Liang, Jianming Chen
Summary: The infectious diseases caused by Vibrio species present a major challenge in the shrimp aquaculture industry, calling for the search for new targets and antibiotics to address multi-drug resistance. DXR is critical for the growth of V. vulnificus and could serve as a potential target for anti-Vibrio agents screening.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ayman Elbehiry, Musaad Aldubaib, Osamah Al Rugaie, Eman Marzouk, Ihab Moussa, Mohamed H. El-Husseiny, Adil Abalkhail, Khalid Abou-Gazia, Ahmed Allam
Summary: This study aimed to genotype and molecularly characterize Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) and Brucella abortus (B. abortus) collected from various animal species and humans. A total of 50 isolates of Brucella species were obtained and subjected to culture, biochemical identification, proteomic identification, and molecular genotyping. The results indicated that multiplex real-time PCR could detect 88% of Brucella species, and IS711 nucleotide sequencing allowed phylogenetic clustering. Microchips-based real-time PCR showed faster and qualitatively more sensitive results compared to conventional real-time PCR, but further research is needed to confirm its potential as a gold standard alternative for Brucella species monitoring.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hongmei Xue, Zhijun Zhao, Jianling Wang, Li Ma, Jiquan Li, Xuxin Yang, Lingling Ren, Liqing Xu, Zhiguo Liu, Zhenjun Li
Summary: Since 2010, the cases and incidences of human brucellosis have been increasing annually in Qinghai (QH) Province. Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses of strains from this region are crucial to better understand the transmission of the disease and the evolutionary patterns of Brucella strains. This study provides insights into the epidemiological and evolutionary patterns of Brucella melitensis, with a focus on strains isolated from Qinghai Province. The findings suggest the importance of strengthening surveillance and control measures to prevent cross-regional transmission and to investigate potential cross-species contact between livestock and wildlife.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cassiane Elisabete Lopes, Silvia De Carli, Bruno Cesar Feltes, Ederson Sales Moreira Pinto, Rafaella Dalla Vecchia Sala, Marcio Dorn, Franciele Maboni Siqueira
Summary: This study investigated the omp25 sequence from B. canis strains and identified a new mutation, L109P, which affects the phylogenetic characterization and molecular structure. The mutation appears to have epidemiology importance based on the geographical distribution of B. canis strains. Structural and molecular dynamics analyses revealed that the mutant Omp25 protein loses its native beta-barrel structure and alters the conformation of B-cell epitope.
Article
Plant Sciences
Debalina Das, Maumita Bandyopadhyay
Summary: Manipulation of pathway inhibitors and effective elicitors can enhance the production of andrographolide in in vitro callus cultures of Andrographis paniculata. The combination of silver nitrate and lovastatin plays a predominant role in andrographolide biosynthesis, with a positive correlation observed between chlorophyll content and andrographolide production.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Charlotte Courtens, Frits van Charante, Thibaut Quennesson, Martijn Risseeuw, Paul Cos, Guy Caljon, Tom Coenye, Serge Van Calenbergh
Summary: Fosmidomycin is a natural antibiotic that inhibits IspC. It is essential in bacterial and apicomplexan parasite biosynthesis pathways. However, its high polarity and inability to penetrate bacterial cell walls limit its effectiveness. By temporarily masking the phosphonate moiety as a prodrug, the researchers were able to discover derivatives with improved activity against Plasmodium and A. baumanii.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Misgina B. Girma, Haley S. Ball, Xu Wang, Robert C. Brothers, Emily R. Jackson, Marvin J. Meyers, Cynthia S. Dowd, Robin D. Couch
Summary: Novel fosmidomycin analogs were designed to inhibit the survival of Plasmodium falciparum in a bisubstrate manner. Results suggest potential for these analogs to serve as new antimalarial drugs.
Review
Microbiology
Jiuwang Yu, Sha Li, Lu Wang, Zhiheng Dong, Lengge Si, Lidao Bao, Lan Wu
Summary: Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., leads to economic losses and public health issues worldwide, with particular involvement in the male genitourinary system. This review discusses the pathological mechanisms of Brucella infection in the testis and epididymis, offering new insights for disease treatment and prevention.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shubham Mathur, Menachem Banai, Dani Cohen
Summary: In this study, it was found that serum antibodies against Brucella O-polysaccharide (OPS) generated after vaccination or natural infection can kill Brucella in vitro. The complement bactericidal activity was significantly higher in sera containing OPS IgG antibodies compared to sera lacking such antibodies.
Article
Microbiology
Maria del Socorro Ruiz-Palma, Eric Daniel Avila-Calderon, Ma. Guadalupe Aguilera-Arreola, Ahide Lopez-Merino, Enrico A. Ruiz, Maria del Rosario Morales-Garcia, Edgar Oliver Lopez-Villegas, Zulema Gomez-Lunar, Beatriz Arellano-Reynoso, Araceli Contreras-Rodriguez
Summary: The study analyzed the protein composition of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from four different Brucella species, identifying immunogenic proteins that support their potential use as acellular brucellosis vaccines.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Pilar M. Munoz, Raquel Conde-Alvarez, Sara Andres-Barranco, Maria-Jesus De Miguel, Amaia Zuniga-Ripa, Beatriz Aragon-Aranda, Miriam Salvador-Bescos, Estrella Martinez-Gomez, Maite Iriarte, Montserrat Barberan, Nieves Vizcaino, Ignacio Moriyon, Jose M. Blasco
Summary: The study showed that effective prevention against B. ovis can be achieved with the H38 Delta wbkF vaccine, making it a promising candidate for immunoprophylaxis in areas free of B. melitensis.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yin-Bo Ye, Jiang-Hua Yang, Dong-Liang Li, Li-Hua Hao, Zhao Zhang, Si-Yao Mei, Huan Zhang, Fang-Yuan Du, Li-Hui Yv, Bao-Shan Liu, Ze-Liang Chen
Summary: This study identified a specific reverse complement sequence between B. canis and other Brucella species and developed a PCR method that allows a more comprehensive identification of the pathogen involved in canine brucellosis. The PCR method showed reasonable specificity and sensitivity, providing an effective means for preventing and controlling brucellosis in dogs.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Melene A. Alakavuklar, Aretha Fiebig, Sean Crosson
Summary: The cell envelope is a multilayered structure that protects bacterial cells from the outside world. The Brucella genus differs from commonly studied gram-negative bacteria in terms of its envelope structure and regulation, making it an ideal comparative model for studying the gram-negative envelope.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Flavia Dematheis, Mathias C. Walter, Daniel Lang, Markus Antwerpen, Holger C. Scholz, Marie-Theres Pfalzgraf, Enrico Mantel, Christin Hinz, Roman Wolfel, Sabine Zange
Summary: In this study, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to differentiate closely related species of Brucella. The results showed that both unsupervised and optimized supervised machine learning models achieved excellent predictive performances.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sirsha Mitra, Roger Estrada-Tejedor, Daniel C. Volke, Michael A. Phillips, Jonathan Gershenzon, Louwrance P. Wright
Summary: Insect herbivory on plants can down-regulate the MEP pathway in Arabidopsis, affecting photosynthesis metabolites and increasing reactive oxygen species content. The resulting beta-cyclocitral signal inhibits DXS enzyme activity, leading to increased plant resistance against herbivory. These findings suggest a mechanism by which herbivore damage can modulate plant defense and growth processes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fakhreddine Houhou, Maricarmen Marti, Teresa Cordero, Veronica Aragones, Cristina Saez, Jaime Cebolla-Cornejo, Ana Perez de Castro, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion, Belen Pico, Jose-Antonio Daros
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to enhance the carotenoid content of edible fruits without the use of transgenic technology. By modifying a viral RNA vector, the fruits of zucchini plants were enriched with health-promoting carotenoids. Although controversial due to the use of genetically modified viral RNA, this method demonstrates the possibility of metabolically fortifying edible fruits without introducing transgenes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion, Jose-Antonio Daros
Summary: Enriching food with health-promoting compounds like carotenoids is an effective approach to combat unhealthy eating habits. Carotenoids are precursors of vitamin A and can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. Recent advances in transient expression systems have provided valuable insights into the synthesis and storage of carotenoids in plants, enabling efficient biofortification of plant tissues.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianing Mi, Jose G. Vallarino, Ivan Petrik, Ondrej Novak, Sandra M. Correa, Monika Chodasiewicz, Michel Havaux, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion, Salim Al-Babili, Alisdair R. Fernie, Aleksandra Skirycz, Juan C. Moreno
Summary: By introducing a gene from the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, profound metabolic alterations were induced in tomato cultivars, leading to increased yield, enhanced nutritional value, and improved tolerance to abiotic stress.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiyang Chang, Juan Pablo Marczuk-Rojas, Carrie Waterman, Armando Garcia-Llanos, Shiyu Chen, Xiao Ma, Amanda Hulse-Kemp, Allen Van Deynze, Yves Van de Peer, Lorenzo Carretero-Paulet
Summary: This study sequenced the genome of moringa and found that it did not undergo any additional whole-genome duplication or polyploidy events, but tandem duplications played a prominent role. The results provide valuable guidance for future breeding programs to improve moringa.
Article
Plant Sciences
Carles Quesada-Traver, Alba Lloret, Lorenzo Carretero-Paulet, Maria Luisa Badenes, Gabino Rios
Summary: This study identified and characterized DAM proteins, which are master regulators of bud dormancy in perennials, in the Rosaceae family. The study found that DAM proteins play a role in inflorescence development and growth, independent of dormancy habit.
Article
Plant Sciences
Luca Morelli, Salvador Torres-Montilla, Gaetan Glauser, Venkatasalam Shanmugabalaji, Felix Kessler, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: The accumulation of phytonutrients in plant tissues can be enhanced by stimulating biosynthesis and providing suitable structures. Artificial chromoplasts induced by the bacterial protein crtB can accumulate high levels of carotenoids and other health-related isoprenoids. Increasing plastoglobule proliferation and reactive oxygen species production can further promote the accumulation of these metabolites and the conversion from chloroplasts to chromoplasts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Morelli, Garcia Romanach Laura, Gaetan Glauser, Venkatasalam Shanmugabalaji, Felix Kessler, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: Artificial leaf chromoplasts can increase the accumulation and storage of vitamin E in plants. In addition, this method also leads to higher levels of other related compounds such as carotenoids and phylloquinones.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xueni Di, David Ortega-Alarcon, Ramu Kakumanu, Javier Iglesias-Fernandez, Lucia Diaz, Edward E. K. Baidoo, Adrian Velazquez-Campoy, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion, Jordi Perez-Gil
Summary: Isoprenoids, essential metabolites for all living organisms, are derived from IPP and DMAPP produced by the MEP pathway. Research shows that IPP and DMAPP feedback-regulate the activity of DXS, a key enzyme in the MEP pathway. The study provides insights into the mechanism and regulation of the MEP pathway.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Morelli, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: Plant carotenoids have multiple functions and benefits, and their profile in crops can be improved through biotechnology. However, challenges such as regulatory constraints and off-target effects need to be addressed. There is also a need to explore ways to mitigate the negative impact of altered carotenoid contents on photosynthesis. Additionally, the stability and bioaccessibility of carotenoid-enriched products should be confirmed. Overcoming these challenges will lead to advancements in carotenoid biotechnology and biofortification.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Jaime F. F. Martinez-Garcia, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: Shade tolerance is an ecological concept that influences the organization, structure, functioning, and dynamics of plant communities. The molecular mechanisms of shade tolerance are not well understood, but there is a good understanding of how plants respond to vegetation proximity. Comparative studies have shown that shade tolerance is implemented by components similar to those involved in elongation response, but with differential molecular properties.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wayne Zita, Venkatasalam Shanmugabalaji, Miguel Ezquerro, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion, Felix Kessler, Gaetan Glauser
Summary: In this study, a method was developed to quantify GGPP and GGP in tomato fruit using UHPLC-MS/MS. The validity of the method was confirmed by analyzing GGPP contents in wild-type tomatoes and mutants defective in GGPP production. Sample preparation was also shown to be crucial in preventing GGPP hydrolysis and minimizing its conversion to GGP.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edison Cardona-Medina, Marisa Santos, Rubens Nodari, Damaso Hornero-Mendez, Arnau Peris, Darren C. J. Wong, Jose Tomas Matus, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: This article investigates the chemical identification, biosynthesis, and potential function of an orange pigment in the roots of Escobedia grandiflora, a medicinal hemiparasite found in Central and South America. The research also explores the traditional medicinal value of the plant.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Miguel Ezquerro, Esteban Burbano-Erazo, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: Carotenoids are important compounds in plants that play crucial roles in photoprotection and phytohormone production. By editing the PSY1 and PSY2 genes in tomato, it was found that PSY1 and PSY2 have different contributions to carotenoid production in different tissues. PSY2 is the main isoform for carotenoid biosynthesis in leaf chloroplasts, while PSY1 is important in response to high light and in fruit chromoplasts. Furthermore, the study revealed that fruit growth is controlled by ABA specifically produced from PSY1-derived carotenoid precursors, while PSY2 is associated with ABA synthesis in seeds and salt-stressed roots.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xueni Di, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: Isoprenoids are diverse metabolites in plants, and the DXS enzyme is the key rate-determining enzyme in the MEP pathway. In tomato, three genes encode DXS-like proteins, which have distinct expression patterns and physiological roles. Our study confirms the DXS activity of SlDXS1 and SlDXS2, while SlDXS3 lacks DXS activity. Co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that SlDXS1 and 2 may form heterodimers in plastidial speckles.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ariadna Iglesias-Sanchez, Juan Navarro-Carcelen, Luca Morelli, Manuel Rodriguez-Concepcion
Summary: The interaction between FIBRILLIN6 and phytoene synthase promotes carotenogenesis in bacteria and chloroplasts.