Review
Microbiology
Matthew Thomas Doyle, Harris D. Bernstein
Summary: The Omp85 protein superfamily is a group of proteins found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and bacterial-origin eukaryotic organelles. These proteins are involved in both membrane insertion and translocation of proteins across the outer membrane. Recent studies have uncovered new insights into the functions of these proteins, particularly the well-studied member BamA, which is essential for bacterial barrel assembly and has potential implications for antibiotic development.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sunyia Hussain, Janine H. Peterson, Harris D. Bernstein
Summary: The assembly of trimeric porins involves a stepwise process that requires the presence of the Bam complex and LPS. The interaction with LPS is not only essential for trimerization but also for the productive insertion of individual subunits into the lipid bilayer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sushil Pangeni, Jigneshkumar Dahyabhai Prajapati, Jayesh Bafna, Mohamed Nilam, Werner M. Nau, Ulrich Kleinekathoefer, Mathias Winterhalter
Summary: This study focused on quantifying the passage of the large peptide protamine (Ptm) across CymA, a passive channel for cyclodextrin uptake. Results showed that the kinetics of Ptm entry through CymA was independent of its concentration, with about 1-2 events per second and long dwell times observed per channel. Additionally, voltage-dependent entry of single Ptm peptide molecules into the channel was resolved, with extrapolation to zero voltage revealing a translocation rate of about one molecule per second per channel.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karl Lundquist, Evan Billings, Maxine Bi, James Wellnitz, Nicholas Noinaj
Summary: Gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts all have outer membranes populated with a type of beta-barrel outer-membrane protein. These proteins play crucial roles in maintaining the viability of their hosts, and recent studies have made significant progress in understanding the biogenesis of these proteins. The structural and functional advancements in the beta-barrel assembly machinery and sorting and assembly machinery provide new insights into the budding mechanism of beta OMPs in these organelles.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Van Huy Tran, Sungil Lim, Paula Jungwon Choi, Alicia Kyoungjin An, Dong Suk Han, Sherub Phuntsho, Hokyong Shon
Summary: The submerged OMBR system showed higher fouling mitigation efficiency, while the sidestream system had advantages in initial water flux and salinity accumulation. The membrane replacement cost accounted for the majority of the operating costs, and reducing this cost is critical for the commercial viability of the submerged OMBR system.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francesco Fiorentino, Dante Rotili, Antonello Mai, Jani R. Bolla, Carol Robinson
Summary: A native mass spectrometry-based approach was developed to quantify the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the LPS transport protein LptH, leading to the identification of quinoline-based hit compounds for the development of novel LPS transport inhibitors. This method also provided new insights into the structure-activity relationships of antimicrobial peptides and small molecule disruptors.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wang Zhang, Hua Zhou, Yan Jiang, Jintao He, Yue Yao, Jianfeng Wang, Xiaochen Liu, Sebastian Leptihn, Xiaoting Hua, Yunsong Yu
Summary: The outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Acinetobacter baumannii induces inflammation, changes in cellular structure, and disruption of intercellular junctions, leading to pulmonary epithelial barrier dysfunction and bacterial translocation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Janine H. Peterson, Matthew Thomas Doyle, Harris D. Bernstein
Summary: Several antibacterial compounds have been found to inhibit BAM function through different mechanisms, affecting the biogenesis of outer membrane proteins in Gram-negative bacteria. These findings not only provide important insights for developing novel broad-spectrum antibiotics, but also valuable tools for future studies on BAM function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wing Yin Venus Lau, Gemma R. Hoad, Vivian Jin, Geoffrey L. Winsor, Ashmeet Madyan, Kristen L. Gray, Matthew R. Laird, Raymond Lo, Fiona S. L. Brinkman
Summary: Protein subcellular localization is crucial for understanding protein function and identifying potential diagnostic markers, drug targets, and vaccine components. PSORTdb 4.0 is an updated database featuring experimentally verified and pre-computed protein localization data, with a user-friendly search function and expanded information on novel localizations. It is a valuable resource for researchers studying various microbes with diverse cell envelope structures.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashton N. Combs, Thomas J. Silhavy
Summary: This study reveals a novel role for the periplasmic chaperone Skp in the folding of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in gram-negative bacteria. Skp removes membrane-integration-defective OMP substrates from the beta-barrel assembly machine (Bam) complex, allowing for clearance of stalled Bam-OMP complexes. Furthermore, Skp acts as an adaptor protein to facilitate the degradation of defective OMP substrates by the periplasmic protease DegP. These findings highlight the importance of Skp in ensuring efficient beta-barrel folding.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noah Ritzmann, Selen Manioglu, Sebastian Hiller, Daniel J. Mueller
Summary: The 8-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex is important for inserting and folding outer membrane proteins in Escherichia coli. A natural antibiotic compound called darobactin inhibits the central unit, BamA. Using dynamic single-molecule force spectroscopy, researchers were able to study the structure-function relationship of BamA and its inhibition by darobactin.
Article
Microbiology
Yixiao Huang, Fanchao Zhu, Jin Koh, Daniel Stanton, Sixue Chen, Nian Wang
Summary: This study reveals that Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) triggering immune responses rather than directly containing pathogenicity factors. The researchers used Liberibacter crescens (Lcr) as a surrogate to identify proteins of Las and discovered potential proteins that may interact with host proteins in the phloem tissues.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pankaj B. Tiwari, Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi
Summary: The study reveals that BamA is a substrate-independent promiscuous molecular chaperone, assisting unfolded OMP to overcome the kinetic barrier in assembly and accelerate folding. The primary sequence of OMP remains a vital determining factor in its assembly rate.
Review
Microbiology
Rokas Juodeikis, Simon R. Carding
Summary: This review focuses on nonlytic outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), a subtype of bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) produced by Gram-negative organisms, emphasizing on the mechanisms of their biogenesis, cargo, and function. Throughout, the issues concerning the characterization of OMVs and distinguishing them from other types of BEVs are highlighted. The review also addresses the shortcomings of commonly used methodologies for BEVs study and proposes solutions to standardize protocols for OMV studies.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liangwan Wei, Zhe Wang, Yindi Chu, Kun Cai, Wei Li, Piying Huang, Youcai Qin, Dailin Liu, Xiaocui Zhuang, Mingquan Guo, Xinbo Song, Enguo Fan
Summary: The AMR crisis calls for the development of new antibiotics. In this study, bio-affinity ultrafiltration combined with HPLC-MS was used to examine the interaction between outer membrane proteins and natural products. The results showed that licochalcone A from licorice interacts with BamA and BamD with good affinity, and it has the potential to be used as a sensitizer to combat AMR.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Dai, Jiahui Li, Qi Li, Jiasheng Cai, Jianzhong Su, Christopher Stubenrauch, Jiawei Wang
Summary: Bacteria play a crucial role in various aspects of life, with some engineered to produce commercial quantities of antibiotics and therapeutics. Non-classical secretion systems are at the forefront of these technologies, characterized by diverse pathways for protein transport. Systematically categorizing and investigating non-classically secreted proteins will enhance understanding of their secretion mechanisms.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher J. Stubenrauch, Rebecca S. Bamert, Jiawei Wang, Trevor Lithgow
Summary: This research reveals that efflux pumps are more widespread in bacteria than previously recognized. The study also provides insights into the assembly pathway of these pumps, which have implications for the acquisition of efflux pumps in bacterial species and the development of new antimicrobial compounds that target these pumps.
Article
Biology
Eric Mandela, Christopher J. Stubenrauch, David Ryoo, Hyea Hwang, Eli J. Cohen, Von L. Torres, Pankaj Deo, Chaille T. Webb, Cheng Huang, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Morgan Beeby, J. C. Gumbart, Trevor Lithgow, Iain D. Hay
Summary: The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria is composed of two membranes and plays a crucial role in spatial constraints and load-bearing forces. This study focuses on the mechanism behind spatial constraints in Escherichia coli, specifically the role of the coiled-coil lipoprotein Lpp. The findings demonstrate that E. coli can accommodate elongated Lpp through various factors and genetic adaptations, highlighting the importance of maintaining spatial constraints in bacterial cell envelopes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Thomas Edwards, Eva Heinz, Jon van Aartsen, Alex Howard, Paul Roberts, Caroline Corless, Alice J. Fraser, Christopher T. Williams, Issra Bulgasim, Luis E. Cuevas, Christopher M. Parry, Adam P. Roberts, Emily R. Adams, Jenifer Mason, Alasdair T. M. Hubbard
Summary: This study investigates the genetic diversity and resistance mechanisms of Escherichia coli strains with phenotypic resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam but susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins. The findings reveal a wide range of sequence types and plasmids, as well as diverse resistance mechanisms associated with this phenotype.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shannon Quek, Louise Cerdeira, Claire L. Jeffries, Sean Tomlinson, Thomas Walker, Grant L. Hughes, Eva Heinz
Summary: This study identified two high-density Wolbachia strains in two Anopheles mosquito species, providing possibilities for using these endosymbionts to block the transmission of malaria parasites. Genomic analysis revealed that both strains retained key metabolic and transport pathways, as well as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) factor genes.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Perlaza-Jimenez, Kher-Shing Tan, Sarah J. Piper, Rachel M. Johnson, Rebecca S. Bamert, Christopher J. Stubenrauch, Alexander Wright, David Lupton, Trevor Lithgow, Matthew J. Belousoff
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major threat to human health, and its treatment often requires the use of last-line antibiotics like linezolid. This study identified linezolid-resistant mutants in MRSA strains and found that mutations in the ribosomal protein uL3 were responsible for the resistance. Cryo-electron microscopic analysis revealed structural rearrangements in the ribosome caused by these mutations.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rhiannon A. E. Logan, Shannon Quek, Joseph N. Muthoni, Anneliese von Eicken, Laura E. Brettell, Enyia R. Anderson, Marcus E. N. Villena, Shivanand Hegde, Grace T. Patterson, Eva Heinz, Grant L. Hughes, Edward Patterson
Summary: The study confirms the maternal transmission of Cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) and also demonstrates the highly efficient paternal transmission. Horizontal transmission of CFAV was observed, aided by the evaluation of the pupal infection status before mating with an infected individual. This study provides valuable information on the transmission routes of CFAV and suggests the potential use of male or female mosquito releases to control pathogenic arboviruses.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David J. Williams, Patrick A. D. Grimont, Adrian Cazares, Francine Grimont, Elisabeth Ageron, Kerry A. Pettigrew, Daniel Cazares, Elisabeth Njamkepo, Francois-Xavier Weill, Eva Heinz, Matthew T. G. Holden, Nicholas R. Thomson, Sarah J. Coulthurst
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the genus Serratia, revealing population structure, ecological niche correlation, and different patterns of gene flow. The research also highlights the diversity of Serratia in terms of genome, phenotype, and plasmids. Overall, this work offers an important framework for understanding the emergence of clinical and other lineages of Serratia.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joseph M. Lewis, Madalitso Mphasa, Rachel Banda, Mathew A. Beale, Eva Heinz, Jane Mallewa, Christopher Jewell, Brian Faragher, Nicholas R. Thomson, Nicholas A. Feasey
Summary: This study conducted longitudinal sampling, modeling, and genomic analysis of stool samples from Malawian adults, revealing how antimicrobial exposure and hospitalization promote the colonization of ESBL-Enterobacterales. The findings suggest that truncating antimicrobial courses has limited effect in reducing colonization and that acquisition of ESBL-E during hospitalization may actually be selection from a patient's microbiota due to antimicrobial exposure.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Trevor Lithgow, Christopher J. Stubenrauch, Michael P. H. Stumpf
Summary: Recent studies using advanced imaging techniques have provided new insights into bacterial cell surfaces, including single-cell heterogeneity, drug sensitivity, and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Nanoscale imaging has allowed for the construction of topographical maps, revealing distinct zones and specific features that can uniquely identify each cell. Functional assembly precincts for protein insertion into the membrane have been mapped, as well as suggested lipid-assembly precincts from discrete lipopolysaccharide patches.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joseph M. Lewis, Madalitso Mphasa, Rachel Banda, Mathew A. Beale, Jane Mallewa, Catherine Anscome, Allan Zuza, Adam P. Roberts, Eva Heinz, Nicholas R. Thomson, Nicholas A. Feasey
Summary: This study investigated ESBL-producing E. coli colonizing adults in Blantyre, Malawi to assess bacterial diversity and AMR determinants. The results showed that 37% of the Malawian isolates did not cluster with isolates from other countries, indicating local transmission. Additionally, a globally distributed carbapenemase-carrying plasmid was found in a single isolate. The study concludes that as carbapenem use increases, there is a risk of rapid proliferation of carbapenem resistance in E. coli in Malawi, highlighting the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and genomic surveillance.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Natalia C. Rosas, Jonathan Wilksch, Jake Barber, Jiahui Li, Yanan Wang, Zhewei Sun, Andrea Rocker, Chaille T. Webb, Laura Perlaza-Jimenez, Christopher J. Stubenrauch, Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran, Jiangning Song, George Taiaroa, Mark Davies, Richard A. Strugnell, Qiyu Bao, Tieli Zhou, Michael J. McDonald, Trevor Lithgow
Summary: This study reconstructed the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in a clinical isolate of Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. It found that multiple genetic loci are necessary for acquiring carbapenem resistance, and the selection of one gene by an antibiotic can facilitate the mutation of another gene, further enhancing the evolution of carbapenem resistance.
