Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anubhav Tamrakar, Rahul Singh, Amit Kumar, Ravindra D. Makde, Ashish, Prashant Kodgire
Summary: Our study focused on exploring the structure of the HomA and HomB proteins from H. pylori using computational, biophysical, and SAXS techniques. Analysis revealed that HomA/B consist of 8 discontinuous N and C terminal beta-strands forming a small beta-barrel with a large surface-exposed globular domain. Biophysical experiments indicated that HomA and HomB are likely dimeric and that cysteine residues on surface-exposed loops may be involved in protein-protein interactions. This structural information provides insight into the pathogenesis of H. pylori.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kevin S. Johnson, Bassam A. Elgamoudi, Freda E-C Jen, Christopher J. Day, Emily Goers Sweeney, Megan L. Pryce, Karen Guillemin, Thomas Haselhorst, Victoria Korolik, Karen M. Ottemann
Summary: The Helicobacter pylori chemoreceptor TIpA plays a role in dampening host inflammation during chronic stomach colonization by sensing multiple attractant ligands as well as antagonist ones. This ability to regulate chemotactic responses by antagonistic chemoreceptor ligands is an emerging theme in chemotaxis systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jason Tan, Yunhui Fang, Chuan Yang, Joyce Tay, Nathanael Tan, Nithiyaa Bala Krishnan, Boon Lin Chua, Yanli Zhao, Yunbo Chen, James L. Hedrick, Yi Yan Yang
Summary: This study presents the synthesis of new polymers capable of selectively killing Helicobacter pylori in the acidic environment of the stomach, while remaining non-toxic to commensal bacteria in the gut. The polymers demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against H. pylori in simulated gastric conditions, and their assembly behavior was influenced by the pH of the environment. The study provides valuable insights into the design and application of antimicrobial polymers.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian Altegoer, Tessa E. F. Quax, Paul Weiland, Phillip Nussbaum, Pietro Giammarinaro, Megha Patro, Zhengqun Li, Dieter Oesterhelt, Martin Grininger, Sonja-Verena Albers, Gert Bange
Summary: Signal transduction via phosphorylated CheY is conserved in bacteria and archaea. In this study, the authors employ structural biochemistry combined with cell biology to delineate the mechanism of CheY recognition by the adaptor protein CheF.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiashen Zhou, Lin Zhang, Liping Zeng, Lu Yu, Yuanyuan Duan, Siqi Shen, Jingyan Hu, Pan Zhang, Wenyan Song, Xiaoxue Ruan, Jing Jiang, Yinan Zhang, Lu Zhou, Jia Jia, Xudong Hang, Changlin Tian, Houwen Lin, Hong-Zhuan Chen, John E. Cronan, Hongkai Bi, Liang Zhang
Summary: The study presents the crystal structures of the essential UFA biosynthesis enzyme FabX in Helicobacter pylori, revealing a unique [4Fe-4S] cluster that potentiates FMN oxidation during dehydrogenase catalysis. This [4Fe-4S] cluster is crucial for unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and contributes to the pathogenic function of H. pylori in the corrosion of gastric mucosa.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Li-Xia Yan, Bei-Bei Wang, Xu Zhao, Li-Jian Chen, Xiu-Ping Yan
Summary: A novel pH-responsive nanozyme was reported for in vivo imaging and inactivation of H. pylori, showing multifunctional properties for targeted imaging and activated deactivation of the bacteria under extreme gastric acid conditions. This promising nanozyme platform has the potential to combat other bacterial infections as well.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Junjian He, Yunyi Liu, Qin Ouyang, Rongxing Li, Jie Li, Weiyan Chen, Weichao Hu, Lijiao He, Qiyu Bao, Ping Li, Changjiang Hu
Summary: Helicobacter pylori is a common pathogen worldwide and is associated with both gastric and extragastric diseases. Research suggests that H. pylori may play a pathogenic role in various extragastric diseases including COVID-19, atherosclerosis, and hyperemesis gravidarum. Further investigations are being conducted to understand the impact of H. pylori on diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyung Yeol Ko, Sun Cheol Park, So Yeon Cho, Sung-il Yoon
Summary: Spermidine is a cationic polyamine that plays important roles in bacteria, and this study provides insights into the structural features and substrate recruitment mechanism of carboxyspermidine dehydrogenase (CASDH).
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Daniel Falush
Summary: The genome of Helicobacter pylori undergoes extensive mixing through homologous recombination, resulting in significant free recombination within populations. A recent study reveals that the UvrC gene in H. pylori has evolved an additional function, allowing very short DNA tracts to be imported into the genome during natural transformation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Cuomo, Chiara Medaglia, Ivana Allocca, Angela Michela Immacolata Montone, Fabrizia Guerra, Serena Cabaro, Ernesto Mollo, Daniela Eletto, Marina Papaianni, Rosanna Capparelli
Summary: The study demonstrates that Caulerpin, a bis-indole alkaloid isolated from algae, can serve as a molecular antagonist of FPRs, reducing immune response against Hp culture filtrate by reverting FPR2-related signaling cascade and counteracting inflammatory reactions triggered by Hp peptide Hp(2-20). The findings suggest Caulerpin as a promising therapeutic or adjuvant agent for attenuating inflammation caused by Hp infection and its adverse clinical outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weronika Gonciarz, Magdalena Chmiela, Bartlomiej Kost, Ewelina Piatczak, Marek Brzezinski
Summary: Encapsulation of Salvia cadmica extracts in stereocomplexed microparticles made of biodegradable polymers can enhance the immune response towards Helicobacter pylori. The extracts improve the phagocytic activity of guinea pig macrophages and neutralize H. pylori-induced production of TNF-alpha and IL-10. Further in vivo studies in guinea pigs infected with H. pylori are recommended to confirm the immunomodulatory effects of the encapsulated extracts.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Miao Duan, Jing Liu, Xiuli Zuo
Summary: Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) and dual therapy (DT) are recommended for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in China. DT has shown comparable or higher eradication rates and lower adverse event incidence compared to BQT. DT has the potential to be a safe and effective first-line treatment for H. pylori eradication.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ru-Jia Li, Chun Qin, Gan-Rong Huang, Li-Juan Liao, Xiao-Qiang Mo, Yan-Qiang Huang
Summary: In the context of increasing drug resistance in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), screening antibacterial ingredients from natural products has become an important method for developing new antibiotics. This study identified phillygenin, an effective antibacterial component, from forsythia, with good antibacterial activity against H. pylori, high safety, and a better antibacterial effect under acidic conditions. Its mechanism of action is mainly associated with inhibiting biofilm formation and causing ATP leakage.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fan Liu, Jing Yu, Yan-Xia Zhang, Fangzheng Li, Qi Liu, Yueyang Zhou, Shengshuo Huang, Houqin Fang, Zhuping Xiao, Lujian Liao, Jinyi Xu, Xin-Yan Wu, Fang Wu
Summary: This study developed a high-throughput assay for ammonia and identified several drugs that inhibit urease activity, providing a basis for new treatments for urease-containing pathogens.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jin-Han Yu, Ying Zhao, Xiao-Feng Wang, Ying-Chun Xu
Summary: Serological testing for H. pylori is widely available and inexpensive, but its performance varies in different populations. This study found significant differences between immunoassay and C-13-UBT results, indicating a need for further evaluation. The serological typing test showed potential for detecting missed infections in high-risk populations.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Keaton Stagaman, Thomas J. Sharpton, Karen Guillemin
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gustavo A. Bezerra, Alexander Holenstein, William R. Foster, Bing Xie, Kevin G. Hicks, Celine Buerer, Seraina Lutz, Ayan Mukherjee, Dipika Sarkar, Debomita Bhattacharya, Jared Rutter, Arindam Talukdar, Peter J. Brown, Minkui Luo, Lei Shi, D. Sean Froese, Wyatt W. Yue
Summary: This study identified a novel compound, (S)-SKI-72, which can stabilize the regulatory domain of MTHFR and effectively inhibit the enzyme's activity. This finding provides a new candidate drug for the development of MTHFR inhibitors.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
T. Jarrod Smith, Caitlin H. Kowalski, Karen Guillemin
Summary: Microbes are able to manipulate hosts cleverly for their own benefit, but their actions are not always completely undetected. This study focuses on how Schistosoma mansoni eggs coordinate macrophage behaviors to promote the efficient transmission of mature eggs while keeping immature eggs hidden in plain sight.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Andrea N. Loes, Melissa N. Hinman, Dylan R. Farnsworth, Adam C. Miller, Karen Guillemin, Michael J. Harms
Summary: The zebrafish is a powerful model organism for studying the innate immune system. Recent findings suggest that zebrafish share an LPS-sensitive Tlr4/Md-2 complex with mammals, rather than a new invention in tetrapods. The discovery of the Ly96 gene in zebrafish and functional assays further support this hypothesis, indicating a low-sensitivity ancestral Tlr4/Md-2 complex retained by zebrafish.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
B. Brett Finlay, Katherine R. Amato, Meghan Azad, Martin J. Blaser, Thomas C. G. Bosch, Hiutung Chu, Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, Stanislav Dusko Ehrlich, Eran Elinav, Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Philippe Gros, Karen Guillemin, Frederic Keck, Tal Korem, Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, Melissa K. Melby, Mark Nichter, Sven Pettersson, Hendrik Poinar, Tobias Rees, Carolina Tropini, Liping Zhao, Tamara Giles-Vernick
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact the human microbiome in infected and uninfected individuals, especially high-risk groups. Current pandemic control measures may have opaque and long-term effects on the global microbiome.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Melissa N. Hinman, Jared Richardson, Rose A. Sockol, Eliza D. Aronson, Sarah J. Stednitz, Katrina N. Murray, J. Andrew Berglund, Karen Guillemin
Summary: The muscleblind RNA-binding proteins are crucial regulators of RNA alternative splicing and loss of their function due to sequestration by CUG or CCUG RNA repeats is responsible for myotonic dystrophy (DM). Zebrafish models with mutations in the mbnl genes showed DM-relevant physical phenotypes and alternative splicing changes. Compound mbnl mutants exhibited more severe phenotypes, indicating partially redundant functions of Mbnl proteins.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Michael L. Kent, Elena S. Wall, Sophie Sichel, Virginia Watral, Keaton Stagaman, Thomas J. Sharpton, Karen Guillemin
Summary: Intestinal neoplasms and preneoplastic lesions are common in zebrafish research facilities, potentially caused by Mycoplasma and nematodes. Mycoplasma is associated with preneoplastic lesions, while nematodes alone or in combination with Mycoplasma can lead to severe lesions and neoplasms.
Article
Biology
John H. Postlethwait, Michelle S. Massaquoi, Dylan R. Farnsworth, Yi-Lin Yan, Karen Guillemin, Adam C. Miller
Summary: People with underlying conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are more susceptible to negative outcomes after COVID-19 infection. Research on the relationship between RAAS and COVID-19 found that zebrafish can be used as a disease model to understand the mechanisms.
Article
Microbiology
Catherine D. Robinson, Emily G. Sweeney, Julia Ngo, Emily Ma, Arden Perkins, T. Jarrod Smith, Nicolas L. Fernandez, Christopher M. Waters, S. James Remington, Brendan J. M. Bohannan, Karen Guillemin
Summary: This study demonstrates that bacteria utilize a chemically regulated motility, known as chemokinesis, to sense amino acids emitted by hosts that trigger active immigration into hosts. The bacterial gene sensor of proline diguanylate cyclase enzyme (SpdE) plays a key role in promoting host colonization by detecting specific amino acids and controlling bacterial motility through c-di-GMP production.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Arden Perkins, Dan A. Tudorica, Raphael D. Teixeira, Tilman Schirmer, Lindsay Zumwalt, O. Maduka Ogba, C. Keith Cassidy, Phillip J. Stansfeld, Karen Guillemin
Summary: This study reveals that many host-associated bacteria possess proteins that sense hypochlorous acid and adapt by regulating biofilm production. This behavior may play an important role in the pathogenicity of bacteria like Escherichia coli, allowing them to detect and adapt to the host immune system's defenses.
Article
Microbiology
Kevin S. Johnson, Bassam A. Elgamoudi, Freda E-C Jen, Christopher J. Day, Emily Goers Sweeney, Megan L. Pryce, Karen Guillemin, Thomas Haselhorst, Victoria Korolik, Karen M. Ottemann
Summary: The Helicobacter pylori chemoreceptor TIpA plays a role in dampening host inflammation during chronic stomach colonization by sensing multiple attractant ligands as well as antagonist ones. This ability to regulate chemotactic responses by antagonistic chemoreceptor ligands is an emerging theme in chemotaxis systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Hao, Jin-Mi Heo, Boguslaw P. Nocek, Kevin G. Hicks, Vincent S. Stoll, Clint Remarcik, Sean Hackett, Lauren LeBon, Rinku Jain, Dan Eaton, Jared Rutter, Yao Liang Wong, Carmela Sidrauski
Summary: This study reveals the regulation of eIF2B by sugar phosphates, suggesting an important link between nutrient status and the rate of protein synthesis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
M. Kristina R. Hamilton, Elena Wall, Catherine R. Robinson, Karen Guillemin, Judith R. Eisen
Summary: The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating intestinal homeostasis, including luminal pH, permeability, and transit. ENS deficiency leads to intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis, independent of microbial induction. Treatment with omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, corrects the acidic luminal pH and prevents Vibrio overabundance and inflammation. Conversely, acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, increases luminal acidity, leading to increased Vibrio abundance and intestinal inflammation. In conclusion, the primary function of the ENS is to regulate luminal pH, shaping the microbial community and promoting intestinal health.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jayanth Jawahar, Alexander W. McCumber, Colin R. Lickwar, Caroline R. Amoroso, Sol Gomez de la Torre Canny, Sandi Wong, Margaret Morash, James H. Thierer, Steven A. Farber, Brendan J. M. Bohannan, Karen Guillemin, John F. Rawls
Summary: This study reveals the effects of long-term starvation and refeeding on the intestinal transcriptome and microbiome in zebrafish. Starvation leads to changes in intestinal microbiome composition and host gene expression, which are rapidly reversed after refeeding.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin G. Hicks, Ahmad A. Cluntun, Heidi L. Schubert, Sean R. Hackett, Jordan A. Berg, Paul G. Leonard, Mariana A. Ajalla Aleixo, Youjia Zhou, Alex J. Bott, Sonia R. Salvatore, Fei Chang, Aubrie Blevins, Paige Barta, Samantha Tilley, Aaron Leifer, Andrea Guzman, Ajak Arok, Sarah Fogarty, Jacob M. Winter, Hee-Chul Ahn, Karen N. Allen, Samuel Block, Iara A. Cardoso, Jianping Ding, Ingrid Dreveny, William C. Gasper, Quinn Ho, Atsushi Matsuura, Michael J. Palladino, Sabin Prajapati, Pengkai Sun, Kai Tittmann, Dean R. Tolan, Judith Unterlass, Andrew P. VanDemark, Matthew G. Vander Heiden, Bradley A. Webb, Cai-Hong Yun, Pengkai Zhao, Bei Wang, Francisco J. Schopter, Christopher P. Hill, Maria Cristina Nonato, Florian L. Muller, James E. Cox, Jared Rutter
Summary: Metabolic networks play a crucial role in various cellular processes. Discovering low-affinity protein-metabolite interactions that govern these networks is challenging. A new method, called mass spectrometry integrated with equilibrium dialysis for the discovery of allostery systematically (MIDAS), was developed to identify such interactions. In a study involving enzymes from human carbohydrate metabolism, 830 protein-metabolite interactions were discovered, including both known and unknown interactions. Some of these interactions were functionally validated, revealing the isoform-specific inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase by long-chain acyl-coenzyme A. The findings suggest that these protein-metabolite interactions contribute to the adaptive metabolic flexibility in different tissues.
