Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brent W. Simpson, Michael C. Gilmore, Amanda Briann Mclean, Felipe Cava, M. Stephen Trent
Summary: Bacteria produce a layer of peptidoglycan to protect and maintain cell shape, and as they grow and divide, this layer is remodeled and fragments are released. Escherichia coli utilizes different strategies to internalize and reuse these fragments, with two transporters, AmpG and MppA/Opp, playing key roles. The regulation and function of these transporters are influenced by carbon source and growth phase, and their scavenging capabilities contribute to the recycling of peptidoglycan fragments.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Quentin Gaday, Daniela Megrian, Giacomo Carloni, Mariano Martinez, Bohdana Sokolova, Mathilde Ben Assaya, Pierre Legrand, Sebastien Brule, Ahmed Haouz, Anne Marie Wehenkel, Pedro M. Alzari
Summary: This study provides important insights into the mechanism of action of Cg1735 and Cg1604 in Corynebacteriales, demonstrating that Cg1604 activates PG hydrolysis by relieving the autoinhibition of Cg1735. These data contribute to understanding how as yet unidentified intracellular cell division signals regulate PG hydrolysis in this bacterial class.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antoine Rousseau, Julie Michaud, Stephanie Pradeau, Sylvie Armand, Sylvain Cottaz, Emeline Richard, Sebastien Fort
Summary: Soluble fragments of peptidoglycan called muropeptides are released from the cell wall of bacteria, triggering immune responses in mammals and plants. They play a crucial role in inducing antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Efficient production methods for muropeptides are desired to understand their mechanism and develop new antibacterial and immunostimulant agents.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Maria Escobar-Salom, Isabel Maria Barcelo, Elena Jordana-Lluch, Gabriel Torrens, Antonio Oliver, Carlos Juan
Summary: This review discusses the evidence and therapeutic potentials of a soluble peptidoglycan-dependent signaling that can impact the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria. It highlights the need for new therapeutic options against antibiotic-resistant pathogens and explores the potential of targeting bacterial pathogenic power. Studies have suggested the existence of peptidoglycan-derived signaling capable of regulating bacterial behavior and these findings could be exploitable for therapeutic purposes. The review aims to gather and integrate the current knowledge gaps in order to enable the development of potential therapeutic strategies.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mohd Shariq, Neha Quadir, Neha Sharma, Jasdeep Singh, Javaid A. Sheikh, Mohd Khubaib, Seyed E. Hasnain, Nasreen Z. Ehtesham
Summary: RipA activates NF kappa B signaling pathway to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibits autophagy and apoptosis, promoting intracellular survival and replication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Paulo A. D. Bastos, Richard Wheeler, Ivo G. Boneca
Summary: The microbiota and their signaling molecules play a significant role in influencing various physiological and behavioral consequences in the host organism. Peptidoglycan, a major component of bacterial cell surface, is released from gut bacteria, crosses the gut barrier, and enters the host system, influencing a range of physiological processes in the host. The molecular nature of peptidoglycan, the cellular profile of the recipient tissue, and the local immune context all play a role in determining the outcome for the host.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Flavia Squeglia, Daniela Marasco, Alessia Ruggiero, Genni Testa, Luciana Esposito, Rita Berisio
Summary: This study explores the suitability of RipA, a key cell division protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, for whole cell biosensing of Gram-positive bacteria. The research findings show the potential of the engineered RipA molecule to be integrated in the development of early warning biosensors for Gram-positive contamination in clinical diagnosis or food-borne infections.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sheng Zeng, Dong Yang, Celine Rens, Veronique Fontaine
Summary: Tuberculosis still causes 1.6 million deaths per year, and efforts to improve treatment are necessary. The GroEL1 protein is involved in antibiotic resistance, and its disruption increases susceptibility to isoniazid in hypoxic conditions, possibly due to increased ATP burst and reactive oxygen species production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denis M. Shashin, Galina R. Demina, Irina A. Linge, Galina N. Vostroknutova, Arseny S. Kaprelyants, Alexander P. Savitsky, Margarita O. Shleeva
Summary: During the dormant state of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis cells, the accumulation of free porphyrins increases their sensitivity to photodynamic inactivation (PDI). Proteomic analysis revealed that illumination of dormant cells led to the disappearance of key proteins involved in metabolic pathways and cellular protection, making dormant cells highly susceptible to harmful factors. PDI inhibited respiratory chain activity and disrupted protein and nucleic acid synthesis, hindering the reactivation and multiplication of dormant cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amr M. El-Araby, Rhona Feltzer, Choon Kim, Shahriar Mobashery
Summary: Characterizing the turnover mechanism of bisubstrate enzymes is challenging due to a lack of available molecular tools. Wang and Mittermaier introduced 2D-ITC as a versatile method for studying these enzymes, allowing for high-resolution determination of the mechanism and quantification of kinetic parameters in a single experiment. They applied this method to the enzyme AmgK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and discovered that it follows an ordered-sequential mechanism. They also found that 2D-ITC overcomes the limitations of classical enzyme kinetic methods and provides a full kinetic characterization of AmgK.
Article
Virology
Adriano M. Gigante, Francisco Olivenca, Maria Joao Catalao, Paula Leandro, Jose Moniz-Pereira, Sergio R. Filipe, Madalena Pimentel
Summary: Double-stranded DNA bacteriophages end their lytic cycle by disrupting the host cell envelope, which allows the release of the virion progeny. Mycobacteriophages synthesize a specific lysis protein, LysB, capable of detaching the outer membrane from the complex cell wall of mycobacteria. The N-terminus of Ms6 LysB binds to peptidoglycan, demonstrating its affinity to PG.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Karolina Stojowska-Swedrzynska, Dorota Kuczynska-Wisnik, Ewa Laskowska
Summary: Antibiotic therapy failure is often caused by persister cells, which are metabolically-dormant bacteria capable of surviving exposure to antimicrobials. These persister cells can resume growth and lead to recurrent infections under favorable conditions. Developing efficient strategies against dormant cells is crucial in light of the increasing numbers of multidrug-resistant infections worldwide.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angela H. Freeman, Karen Tembiwa, James R. Brenner, Michael R. Chase, Sarah M. Fortune, Yasu S. Morita, Cara C. Boutte
Summary: The study reveals that SepIVA, an essential division factor in Mycobacterium smegmatis, is arginine methylated and its methylation sites affect both septation and polar elongation. SepIVA also regulates the localization of MurG, which may impact polar elongation. This study characterizes protein arginine methylation sites for the first time in mycobacteria, establishing SepIVA as a regulator of both elongation and division.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas de Oliveira Rossini, Catharina Silva, Marcio Vinicius Bertacine Dias
Summary: The cytoplasmic biosynthesis of the stem peptide from the peptidoglycan involves six steps, with three ATP-dependent Mur ligases incorporating consecutive amino acids. MurE is the last ligase to incorporate a free amino acid. The binding mode of meso-Diaminopimelate (m-DAP) and the effect of substrate absence on MurE structure are unknown.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zanah K. Francis, Akeisha N. Sanders, Dean C. Crick, Sebabrata Mahapatra, M. Nurul Islam, Martin S. S. Pavelka Jr
Summary: Mycobacteria have enzymes to catalyze nonclassical 3-3 linkages in cell wall peptidoglycan. Understanding these cross-links is important for developing antibiotic therapies. Our study shows that LdtC can function as the sole enzyme for 3-3 cross-link formation in M. smegmatis and may be part of a carbapenem-resistant pathway.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svetlana V. Guryanova, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
Summary: With the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria becoming a growing problem, the search for alternative methods to combat bacterial infections is urgent. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found to have effects on various parts of the immune system, enhancing innate and adaptive immunity. However, the medical use of AMPs is limited by their cytotoxicity against normal cells, allergenic properties, and low stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Flavia Squeglia, Maria Romano, Luciana Esposito, Giovanni Barra, Pietro Campiglia, Marina Sala, Maria Carmina Scala, Alessia Ruggiero, Rita Berisio
Summary: The study engineered stable S-plug molecules through a computational approach to potentially inhibit viral entry by interfering with the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2. These molecules have high stability and affinity to the spike protein, providing a solid foundation for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools against ACE2-accessing coronaviruses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rita Berisio, Giovanni Barra, Maria Romano, Flavia Squeglia, Alessia Ruggiero
Summary: This article introduces a putative endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (DtCel5A) identified through bioinformatics, and investigates its structural and functional characteristics. It is found that DtCel5A shows remarkable thermal and chemical stability, and retains its activity on cellulose at high temperatures and elevated salt concentrations.
Review
Microbiology
Svetlana Guryanova
Summary: Metabolites and fragments of bacterial cells play a crucial role in the formation and regulation of immune homeostasis. Symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and a macroorganism are important in modulating physiological functions in the human body. Low molecular weight bioregulators of bacterial origin have gained attention as potential drugs for a wide range of bacterial and viral diseases. Signaling networks demonstrate cascades of causal relationships that support homeostasis in multicellular organisms.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svetlana V. Guryanova, Ekaterina I. Finkina, Daria N. Melnikova, Ivan V. Bogdanov, Barbara Bohle, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova
Summary: Plant pollen is a major allergen causing allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. The interaction between allergens and molecular factors, as well as their interaction with lipids and other hydrophobic molecules, play important roles in pollen sensitization.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antonella Migliaccio, Maria Stabile, Maria Bagattini, Maria Triassi, Rita Berisio, Eliana De Gregorio, Raffaele Zarrilli
Summary: Resveratrol can reverse tolerance and restore susceptibility to CHX and BZK in the majority of microorganisms causing HAI. The efflux pump inhibitor reduced the MIC and MBC of CHX and BZK in most strains, while resveratrol dose-dependently decreased the MIC and MBC of the biocides.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Svetlana Guryanova, Tatiana Ovchinnikova
Summary: This review discusses the innate immune mechanisms of marine invertebrate organisms in their protection against infections, analyzing examples from ancient multicellular organisms and searching for comparisons with vertebrate innate immunity. The study of the immune system in marine invertebrates is of fundamental importance for understanding the molecular mechanisms of host defense and for practical applications such as finding new antimicrobial agents.
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Romano, Flavia Squeglia, Eliza Kramarska, Giovanni Barra, Han-Gyu Choi, Hwa-Jung Kim, Alessia Ruggiero, Rita Berisio
Summary: Tuberculosis remains the leading infectious bacterial cause of death worldwide. Developing a new vaccine with better coverage than the current BCG vaccine is vital to stop its spread. Structural Vaccinology and the development of vaccine adjuvants can enhance the immunostimulating effects of subunit vaccines, accelerating the development of a safer and more effective tuberculosis vaccine.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Rita Berisio
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Rita Berisio
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svetlana V. V. Guryanova, Anastasiya Kataeva
Summary: Stimulation of innate immunity can enhance cellular immune response through epigenetic changes in innate immune memory. Immunological memory can either accelerate/intensify inflammation or maintain tolerance to repeated stimulus. Understanding the mechanism of tolerance is crucial for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annamaria Sandomenico, Alessia Ruggiero, Emanuela Iaccarino, Angela Oliver, Flavia Squeglia, Miguel Moreira, Luciana Esposito, Menotti Ruvo, Rita Berisio
Summary: CD59 is an abundant protein in humans that protects cells from damage by inhibiting the complement system. It inhibits the assembly of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) and is incorporated by pathogenic viruses like HIV-1 to escape complement-mediated virolysis. CD59 is also overexpressed in cancer cells to resist complement attack. In this study, bioinformatics and computational tools were used to identify CD59 interactions and design paratope-mimicking peptides that target CD59.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliza Kramarska, Flavio De Maio, Giovanni Delogu, Rita Berisio
Summary: This study used AlphaFold2.0 computations to model the polymorphic forms of the PE_PGRS33 protein. Through sequence distribution, phylogenetic and antigenic prediction analyses, the structural impact of the observed mutations was predicted. The results correlated well with the observed frequency and phenotypic features, and protein variants associated with bacterial evolution were identified.
Article
Biology
Giovanni Smaldone, Giovanni Pecoraro, Katia Pane, Monica Franzese, Alessia Ruggiero, Luigi Vitagliano, Marco Salvatore
Summary: The KCTD protein family has been traditionally recognized as playing important roles in neurological physiopathology, but recent studies have shown their involvement in various biological processes, including cancers. This study focused on KCTD1 and its role in colorectal cancer. Knocking down KCTD1 in SW480 cells led to significant effects on their motility and stemness, indicating an oncosuppressor role for this protein. Similar effects were also observed with KCTD12 misregulation. These results expand the understanding of KCTD1's involvement in different physiological and pathological processes and suggest analogous activities among KCTD protein family members.
Review
Biology
Svetlana V. Guryanova
Summary: The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the emergence of new pathogens have created a need for new strategies to fight against infectious diseases. One promising approach is the use of antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins, which can help in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Studies have shown that bacteriocins have immunomodulatory activity and could be used in the treatment of various pathologies.