Article
Microbiology
Christopher J. Day, Alvin W. Lo, Lauren E. Hartley-Tassell, M. Pilar Argente, Jessica Poole, Nathan P. King, Joe Tiralongo, Michael P. Jennings, Mark A. Schembri
Summary: This study focused on dissecting the receptor specificity of different CU fimbriae in Escherichia coli using a glycan array analysis approach with whole-bacterial-cell surface plasmon resonance. The research revealed new information on fimbrial specificity and provided a rapid and scalable system to define novel adhesin-glycan interactions underlying bacterial colonization and disease. The findings contribute to a better understanding of bacterial adhesion mechanisms and offer a promising strategy to combat antibiotic resistance through blocking adhesion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yawen Xiao, Yan Zhang, Fengjun Xie, Rikke Heidemann Olsen, Lei Shi, Lili Li
Summary: In this study, the possibility of using the rbsB gene as a single target to inhibit plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer in Escherichia coli was explored using the CRISPR interference system. The results showed that repressing the expression of the rbsB gene significantly reduced the transfer rate of plasmids, decreased the expression of related genes, and reduced the depletion of AI-2 signals and biofilm formation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Sreejita Ghosh, Dibyajit Lahiri, Moupriya Nag, Tanmay Sarkar, Siddhartha Pati, Hisham Atan Edinur, Manoj Kumar, Muhammad R. A. Mohd Zain, Rina Rani Ray
Summary: The emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria is a major threat to public health and food processing industries. Biofilm formation and CRISPRi system are important defense strategies utilized by bacteria. Gene regulation and signaling pathways control biofilm formation, and CRISPRi system can be used as a strategy to target the genomic system involved in biofilm formation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Liu, Manman Liang, Xuelong Bi, Shiya Cao, Caile Zhang, Zhiling Zhu
Summary: The study evaluated the local concentration effect on the adherence of Escherichia coli 83972 using mannosylated PAMAM dendrimers with varying concentrations immobilized on surfaces. Results showed no enhancement in adherence with a high local concentration of biphenyl mannoside, with the separation distance of ligand-receptor binding playing a crucial role. A proposed vertical orientation of bacteria during the initial binding process allows efficient surveying of the environment for potential binding sites.
COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Georgia I. Nasi, Konstantina I. Georgakopoulou, Marilena K. Theodoropoulou, Nikos C. Papandreou, Evangelia D. Chrysina, Paraskevi L. Tsiolaki, Vassiliki A. Iconomidou
Summary: Type I fimbriae, composed of four subunits, play a critical role in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infections, with the FimH adhesin at the fimbrial tip as the key component. We propose that the amyloidogenic potential of FimH can be used for developing therapeutic agents against Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). By identifying aggregation-prone regions (APRs) and synthesizing corresponding peptide-analogues, we demonstrate that these molecules can interfere with FimH folding or compete for the mannose-binding pocket, making them promising antimicrobial candidates.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Junhong Chen, Wei Dai, Shengling Cui, Weiqiang Lei, Dingzhen Dai
Summary: This study investigated the antigenicity of avian Escherichia coli type 1 fimbrial FimH protein and identified antigen epitopes related to adhesion. Monoclonal antibodies specific to these epitopes were prepared and shown to block bacterial adhesion to chicken tracheal epithelial cells.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ye-yu Li, Han-Mei Liu, Decheng Wang, Yan Lu, Cairong Ding, Li-Shuang Zhou, Xiang-Yang Wu, Zi-Wei Zhou, Shu-qin Xu, Chen Lin, Lian-Hua Qin, Yao Li, Jun Liu, Hai-Peng Liu, Lu Zhang
Summary: The study found that the AG of Mycobacterium can suppress host immune responses and enhance bacterial intracellular proliferation. The arabinose chains of AG have a greater impact on the virulence and pathogenicity of Mycobacterium.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shun Lu, Jing Xu, Zihao Zhao, Yuheng Guo, Hanwen Zhang, Peter W. Jurutka, Dechun Huang, Chongjiang Cao, Shujie Cheng
Summary: Combination of food probiotics (LGG-EV) with immunotherapy can enhance the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatment and regulate intestinal immune function and microbiota diversity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tihomir Tomasic, Said Rabbani, Roman P. Jakob, Andreas Reisner, Ziga Jakopin, Timm Maier, Beat Ernst, Marko Anderluh
Summary: Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge in treating urinary tract infections, and targeting the lectin FimH of uropathogenic E. coli with antiadhesive methods may be a promising approach. A novel series of FimH antagonists based on the 1-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole scaffold have shown improved binding affinities, suggesting potential new strategies for combating bacterial resistance.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergey Peltek, Irina Meshcheryakova, Elena Kiseleva, Dmitry Oshchepkov, Alexei Rozanov, Danil Serdyukov, Evgeniy Demidov, Gennady Vasiliev, Nikolay Vinokurov, Alla Bryanskaya, Svetlana Bannikova, Vasiliy Popik, Tatyana Goryachkovskaya
Summary: Exposure of E. coli to THz radiation resulted in changes in gene activities related to cell aggregation, motility suppression, division suppression, adhesin synthesis, and cell envelope stabilization. The radiation also induced the expression of genes involved in amyloid biosynthesis. Electron microscopy revealed increased aggregation and structural aberrations in the bacterial cells, impacting cell morphology and division. Overall, THz radiation had adverse effects on bacterial populations, leading to cells with abnormal morphology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Smita Yadav, Priyanka Parijat, Vengadesan Krishnan
Summary: Dental plaque, a complex microbial biofilm community, is a major cause of oral infections and infectious endocarditis. Sortase enzyme, responsible for cellular attachment and inter-bacterial interactions, is a potential drug target to control biofilm formation. The crystal structure of the SsaSrtC sortase, responsible for primary colonizing bacterium attachment, has been determined, and its substrate-binding residues essential for pilin recognition and pilus assembly have been identified. Rutin and α-crocin have been identified as potential inhibitors of SsaSrtC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Yin Li, Ming Ni
Summary: This article discusses the mechanisms of biofilm formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae and its impact on infection treatment. The biofilm produced by K. pneumoniae can shield bacteria from antibiotics and host immune responses, making eradication of the infection more difficult.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Szu-Min Chang, Jenn-Wei Chen, Chin-Shiang Tsai, Wen-Chien Ko, Joy Scaria, Jiun-Ling Wang
Summary: The threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can originate from public restrooms. Surveillance in public restrooms in southern Taiwan showed a higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in rural areas compared to city centers. Whole-genome sequencing revealed successful circulation of fimH41 STc131 strains in the community in Taiwan.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mrtatha K. Al-Zrkani, Rafid A. Abdulkareem, Dhurgham Al-Fahad, Marwah Al Shouber, Amaal Mohammed Salih Nasr, Ahmad Al-Khdhairawi
Summary: This study aims to discover small molecules that can inhibit biofilm formation by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains, a common cause of urinary tract infections. Through virtual screening and molecular docking, NPC313334 was identified as a potential antibacterial drug candidate that targets FimH, a protein crucial for UPEC pathogenicity.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ruby Costigan, Emily Stoakes, R. Andres Floto, Julian Parkhill, Andrew J. Grant
Summary: This study reports the development of a CRISPRi-based tool in C. jejuni, which will be a valuable resource for the Campylobacter community. The tool was successfully validated through the repression of target genes and resulted in phenotypical changes.
Article
Microbiology
Azna Zuberi, Mohd W. Azam, Asad U. Khan
Summary: Biofilm plays a crucial role in hospital-acquired infections, and the OmpR gene of the OmpR/EnvZ two-component system was identified as a potential target for intervention in biofilm-mediated infections, as downregulation of the OmpR gene led to a reduction in biofilm formation.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dalia Rafat, Sunita Singh, Tabassum Nawab, Fatima Khan, Asad U. Khan, Shamsi Khalid
Summary: This study identified a significant association between vaginal dysbiosis and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as adverse perinatal outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of utilizing this potential association as a new target in the prevention and treatment of GDM, and in reducing undesired maternal and infant outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Divakar Sharma, Manisha Aswal, Nayeem Ahmad, Manish Kumar, Asad U. Khan
Summary: This study investigated the differential protein expression of colistin-resistant E. coli and identified potential drug targets for future treatment. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed 47 proteins were overexpressed and 74 proteins were underexpressed in colistin-resistant E. coli. These proteins are involved in various cellular processes such as DNA replication, transcription, translation, defense and stress response, and sugar metabolism. The findings suggest that these protein targets and their pathways could be utilized for developing novel therapeutics against colistin-resistant infections.
PROTEIN AND PEPTIDE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sahar Zaidi, Tulika Bhardwaj, Pallavi Somvanshi, Asad U. Khan
Summary: This study aimed to identify potential targets against the highly pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Through the use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 321 proteins were identified and analyzed to find 22 potential therapeutic candidates. These proteins were found to have distinguishable functions compared to human counterparts.
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Absar Talat, Yasir Bashir, Asad U. Khan
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohd Qamar, Sultanat, Shafiullah, Asad U. Khan, Abid Ali, Nabeela Farhat
Summary: In this study, a series of novel flavanoidal oxadiazinanone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The synthesized compounds showed high antibacterial activity and stable binding to DNA gyrase, as demonstrated by experimental and simulation studies.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isna S. Khan, Zainab Faiyaz, Asad U. Khan
Summary: Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to the global world, with understanding the pathogenesis of infectious agents and developing rapid diagnostic techniques being crucial for improving infectious disease outcomes. Utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system's capabilities will aid in promoting the development of novel and improved diagnostics, innovative delivery systems, and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
CURRENT PROTEIN & PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nabeela Farhat, Abid Ali, Mohd Waheed, Divya Gupta, Asad U. Khan
Summary: Beta-lactam antibiotics are the most effective medications for bacterial infections. The synthesized flavone and coumarin-based isoxazole derivatives have shown potential as broad-spectrum inhibitors of serine-(SBL) and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL), which can hydrolyze all types of beta-lactams. These compounds have demonstrated good pharmacokinetic properties, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic profiles, and the ability to restore antibiotic efficacy against different classes of beta-lactamases.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Absar Talat, Amina Usmani, Asad U. Khan
Summary: In this study, the presence of the mcr-5.1 gene was identified in sewage water from an Indian hospital for the first time using shotgun metagenomics. The gene was found to be carried by a plasmid in Escherichia coli and its presence in the hospital environment poses a high risk, potentially leading to outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sahar Zaidi, Manisha Aswal, Manish Kumar, Faraz Rashid, Asad U. Khan
Summary: This study aimed to explore the general stress response of S. mutans at the proteome level under cell wall stress. Through high-throughput proteomics analysis, 41 significantly overexpressed proteins and 30 significantly underexpressed proteins were identified. The upregulated proteins mainly involved sortases and proteins in the EPS biosynthesis pathway, while the downregulated proteins were primarily related to glycolysis. Sortase family of proteins are potential targets for inhibiting multiple virulence pathways simultaneously.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Yasir Bashir, Asad U. Khan
Summary: The gut microbiota may have an effect on the brain and potentially contribute to psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. However, more research is needed, particularly in human subjects, to fully understand and validate these findings.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Nabeela Farhat, Asad U. Khan
Summary: This review focuses on the therapeutic options for bacterial antimicrobial resistance mechanisms that can be overcome by combinational therapy and synergy testing methods. The integration of diverse approaches is essential in mitigating the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ayesha Z. Beg, Faraz Rashid, Absar Talat, Mohd Azam Haseen, Nadeem Raza, Kafil Akhtar, Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm, Asad U. Khan
Summary: The Fap operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a crucial role in pathoadaptation during pulmonary infection. Its presence increases pathogenesis and biofilm sustainability by modulating bacterial physiology. Targeting amyloids could be a potential clinical application to exploit the pathoadaptive role of Fap in pulmonary infections. The genetic conservation and extracellular exposure of Fap make it a commendable target for interventions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Absar Talat, Asad U. Khan
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent pandemic with high mortality. However, the development of new antibiotics is limited. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary approach in drug discovery due to its speed, cost-efficiency, reduced labor requirements, and lower failure rates. AI has been successfully utilized to discover beta-lactamase inhibitors and antibiotic alternatives from various sources. The increasing use of AI platforms by pharmaceutical companies holds the potential to discover efficient antibiotic alternatives with reduced chances of resistance development.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sahar Zaidi, Khursheed Ali, Yadya M. Chawla, Asad U. Khan
Summary: Bacterial cells are surrounded by a peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall, which is essential for cell integrity and biogenesis pathways. The mltG gene plays a crucial role in the synthesis of peripheral PG and in bacterial virulence. Knocking out the mltG gene in Streptococcus mutans significantly compromised the bacterial growth and virulence potential through dysregulation of important genes involved in biofilm, metabolism, and stress response.
