Article
Microbiology
Divakara S. S. M. Uppu, Xiaogang Wang, Jean C. C. Lee
Summary: The secretome of Staphylococcus aureus includes soluble molecules and nano-sized extracellular membrane vesicles (MVs). The protein composition of both the secretome and MVs includes cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, as well as exoproteins, some cell wall-associated proteins, and glycopolymers. The microbial secretome modulates how the organism interacts with its environment.
Article
Immunology
Mario M. Mueller, Christian Baldauf, Stella Hornischer, Tilman E. Klassert, Antony Schneegans, Andrea Behnert, Mathias W. Pletz, Stefan Hagel, Hortense Slevogt
Summary: Exposure of human monocytes to Staphylococcus aureus or TLR2 ligands induces a similar tolerant cell state to that induced by LPS. In this state, pro-inflammatory gene expression is downregulated and glycoprotein expression changes are similar to other TLR ligands but also exhibit some distinct patterns in S. aureus-stimulated monocytes. Monocytes from patients with S. aureus bacteremia still retain pro-inflammatory responsiveness to S. aureus stimulation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Enrico Koenig, Assunta Gagliardi, Ilary Riedmiller, Chiara Andretta, Michele Tomasi, Carmela Irene, Luca Frattini, Ilaria Zanella, Francesco Berti, Alberto Grandi, Elena Caproni, Laura Fantappie, Guido Grandi
Summary: Pathogens often use surface antigen modification and differential expression of virulence factors to evade the host immune system, presenting a challenge for vaccine development. Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) show promise as a vaccine platform due to their adjuvanticity and flexibility. This study introduces a multi-antigen expression strategy using OMVs, demonstrating successful vaccine design against Staphylococcus aureus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jin Liang, Yuanfang Hu, Mingxia Fu, Na Li, Fengxia Wang, Xiaojun Yu, Bing Ji
Summary: The study investigated the molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in patients from the Yellow River Delta region and examined antibiotic resistance profiles in different genetic backgrounds. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, spa typing, and agr typing were conducted on all 204 strains. The results identified 39 MRSA strains and 22 hVISA isolates. The majority of MRSA isolates belonged to agrI and were associated with type IV SCCmec. The most common genotypes among MRSA population were ST59-t437-agrI-IVa and ST72-t2431-agrI-IVF. The study highlights the genetic diversity and drug resistance patterns among MSSA strains exhibiting phenotypic hVISA.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Lea Antje Adolf, Angelika Mueller-Jochim, Lara Kricks, Jan-Samuel Puls, Daniel Lopez, Fabian Grein, Simon Heilbronner, Bavesh D. Kana
Summary: Sufficient access to transition metals such as iron is essential for bacterial proliferation and their active limitation within host tissues effectively restricts infection. A study on Staphylococcus aureus reveals that the iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system is used by the pathogen to acquire hemoglobin-derived heme, and the heme-specific permease IsdF is energized by the general ATPase FhuC. The study also shows that IsdF requires appropriate location within the membrane and is associated with functional membrane microdomains, including the scaffolding protein flotillin A (FloA), which is essential for Isd-dependent bacterial growth.
Article
Microbiology
Sheila Thomas, Srishtee Arora, Wen Liu, Kelly Churion, You Wu, Magnus Hook
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus can target various tissues and cause life-threatening infections by spreading in the vascular system throughout the body. The microorganism survives in blood by coating itself with a protective fibrinogen (Fg)/fibrin shield, assembled by Fg-binding bacterial proteins. A novel protein, vWbp homologous protein (vhp), with significant sequence identity to vWbp, was identified in this study, suggesting potential roles in shield assembly. The presence of redundant Fg-binding proteins and the discovery of a common Fg-binding motif highlight the complexity of the interaction between S. aureus and the host's blood coagulation system.
Article
Microbiology
Katarzyna Wacnik, Vincenzo A. Rao, Xinyue Chen, Lucia Lafage, Manuel Pazos, Simon Booth, Waldemar Vollmer, Jamie K. Hobbs, Richard J. Lewis, Simon J. Foster
Summary: Bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis is essential for bacterial growth and division and is targeted by clinically important antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus, a human pathogen, has only two essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that are required for growth and division. Our recent studies have revealed a complex peptidoglycan architecture in S. aureus during division. PBP1 plays multiple essential roles in cell division, both as an enzyme and as a regulator.
Article
Microbiology
Jennifer L. Endres, Sujata S. Chaudhari, Xinyan Zhang, Janani Prahlad, Shu-Qi Wang, Lily A. Foley, Sorin Luca, Jeffrey L. Bose, Vinai C. Thomas, Kenneth W. Bayles
Summary: The proteins encoded by the Staphylococcus aureus cidA and lrgA genes have been shown to possess bacteriophage holin-like functions and are also involved in the transport of small metabolic by-products of carbohydrate metabolism. These findings suggest an intriguing link between these two seemingly disparate processes.
Article
Microbiology
Jennifer L. Endres, Sujata S. Chaudhari, Xinyan Zhang, Janani Prahlad, Shu-Qi Wang, Lily A. Foley, Sorin Luca, Jeffrey L. Bose, Vinai C. Thomas, Kenneth W. Bayles
Summary: The Staphylococcus aureuscidABC and lrgAB operons encode proteins with holin-like properties and play an important role in the transport of small metabolic by-products of carbohydrate metabolism.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yangli Wan, Xiaowen Wang, Liu Yang, Qianhong Li, Xuting Zheng, Tianyi Bai, Xin Wang
Summary: A serious problem in the field of wound healing is bacterial infection, specifically Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. This study analyzed the potential of the naturally extracted phenolic compound, juglone, to inhibit S. aureus in wound infection. The results showed that juglone had inhibitory effects on S. aureus growth, biofilm formation, and virulence factor expression, and it also promoted wound healing in mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hui Li, Mao Zhang, Keren Agyekumwaa Addo, Yigang Yu, Xinglong Xiao
Summary: The antibacterial mechanism of cuminaldehyde against Staphylococcus aureus was investigated, and it was found that cuminaldehyde could damage the bacterial membrane and interact with the genomic DNA, resulting in the inactivation of cells. Furthermore, cuminaldehyde showed a dual antibacterial effect by influencing the cell membrane and genomic DNA.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Juan Chen, Yuhuan Lv, Weilong Shang, Yi Yang, Yuting Wang, Zhen Hu, Xiaonan Huang, Rong Zhang, Jizhen Yuan, Jingbin Huang, Xiancai Rao
Summary: This study reveals that Delta-hemolysin (Hld) is a major loaded factor in Staphylococcus aureus membrane vesicles (MVs). Hld plays a crucial role in modulating the size and protein composition of MVs, as well as enhancing the cytotoxicity and inflammatory response of MVs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Shanti Pandey, Gyan S. Sahukhal, Mohamed O. Elasri
Summary: The deletion of the msaABCR operon in Staphylococcus aureus induces a metabolically hyperactive state, leading to a decreased formation of persister cells.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Monika Kumaraswamy, Kamilla Wiull, Bishnu Joshi, George Sakoulas, Armin Kousha, Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad, Mona Johannessen, Kristin Hegstad, Victor Nizet, Fatemeh Askarian
Summary: This study revealed that MRSA-derived MVs are capable of reducing the pathogen's susceptibility to VAN, thereby increasing its resistance to treatment, particularly in interactions with human neutrophils. Additionally, the elevated expression of proteins associated with antibiotic resistance in MVs may further impact MRSA's resistance.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jinming Dai, Mei Bai, Changzhu Li, Wai San Cheang, Haiying Cui, Lin Lin
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of citral concentration on its antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that citral at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL significantly disturbed the cell membrane fluidity and permeability, leading to cell death. However, at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL, the membrane damage was reduced and a complex interaction between citral and the membrane components was observed. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the antibacterial mechanisms of natural compounds and expands the potential applications of citral as a natural antimicrobial.
Article
Virology
Yue Yuan, Caron A. Jacobs, Isabel Llorente Garcia, Pedro M. Pereira, Scott P. Lawrence, Romain F. Laine, Mark Marsh, Ricardo Henriques
Summary: The binding of HIV-1 to CD4(+) T cells was found to trigger changes in the nanoscale organization of CD4 molecules on the cell surface, leading to an increase in cluster diameter and molecule number. These findings provide a quantitative insight into the nanoscale CD4 reorganization induced by HIV-1 and suggest potential implications for characterizing plasma membrane receptor organization in general.
Review
Virology
Emma Touizer, Christian Sieben, Ricardo Henriques, Mark Marsh, Romain F. Laine
Summary: Influenza viruses are a major burden on health and economy, with many aspects of their replication process still remaining to be understood. Advances in light microscopy have provided new opportunities for real-time observation of viral replication, leading to insights into virus-host cell interactions and potential antiviral strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lena Harker-Kirschneck, Anne E. Hafner, Tina Yao, Christian Vanhille-Campos, Xiuyun Jiang, Andre Pulschen, Fredrik Hurtig, Dawid Hryniuk, Sian Culley, Ricardo Henriques, Buzz Baum, Andela Saric
Summary: This study developed a physical model for the division of archaeal cells, which share similarities with eukaryotes. By comparing simulations with live cell imaging experiments, the researchers proposed a previously unidentified division mechanism based on changes in the curvature of elastic cytoskeletal filaments. This study not only reveals this mechanism in archaea, but also suggests its potential application in other biological systems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mario Del Rosario, Hannah S. Heil, Afonso Mendes, Vittorio Saggiomo, Ricardo Henriques
Summary: The maker movement has brought 3D printing technology into optics labs, revolutionizing the field by improving accessibility and allowing rapid, low-cost prototyping. This approach fosters collaboration among researchers and promotes democratization of technology, extending the open-access concept from knowledge to technology.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Etienne Boulter, Julien Colombelli, Ricardo Henriques, Chloe C. Feral
Summary: LEGO (R) is not just a toy for children, but also a building ecosystem that can be used for designing and assembling various devices for scientific research and biotechnology. This emerging trend in LEGO (R) building pairs with a growing interest in open-access and frugal science.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
David Tomaz, Pedro Matos Pereira, Nadia Guerra, Julian Dyson, Keith Gould, Ricardo Henriques
Summary: NK cell inhibition and activation rely on the nanoscale colocalization of their receptors. NKG2D and Ly49A integrate signals at the immune synapse based on their relative positioning, which is affected by the size of NK cell ligand-receptor pairs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Haase, Elnaz Fazeli, David Legland, Michael Doube, Sian Culley, Ilya Belevich, Eija Jokitalo, Martin Schorb, Anna Klemm, Christian Tischer
Summary: Computational methods are essential in modern life sciences research, particularly for extracting, quantifying, and visualizing information from microscopy imaging data of biological samples. There has been a significant increase in available software packages in the past decade, making it challenging to keep track of them. This article provides a conservative overview of the software commonly used in daily routines and offers insights into emerging new tools, guiding users to select the most suitable platform based on factors such as image data type, team skills, infrastructure, community, time, and budget.
Article
Microbiology
Katarzyna Wacnik, Vincenzo A. Rao, Xinyue Chen, Lucia Lafage, Manuel Pazos, Simon Booth, Waldemar Vollmer, Jamie K. Hobbs, Richard J. Lewis, Simon J. Foster
Summary: Bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis is essential for bacterial growth and division and is targeted by clinically important antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus, a human pathogen, has only two essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that are required for growth and division. Our recent studies have revealed a complex peptidoglycan architecture in S. aureus during division. PBP1 plays multiple essential roles in cell division, both as an enzyme and as a regulator.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Afonso Mendes, Hannah S. Heil, Simao Coelho, Christophe Leterrier, Ricardo Henriques
Summary: Understanding the structure of supramolecular complexes is important for studying their function and disease modulation. Super-resolution microscopy combined with single-particle analysis overcomes technical limitations and provides detailed structural information, broadening our knowledge.
Article
Biology
Christoph Spahn, Estibaliz Gomez-de-Mariscal, Romain F. Laine, Pedro M. Pereira, Lucas von Chamier, Mia Conduit, Mariana G. Pinho, Guillaume Jacquemet, Seamus Holden, Mike Heilemann, Ricardo Henriques
Summary: This work demonstrates the use of state-of-the-art artificial neural networks in analyzing bacterial microscopy images. It provides strategies for data acquisition, curation, and model training, and showcases the capabilities of deep learning in tasks such as image segmentation, growth stage classification, phenotypic profiling, and image denoising. The creation of a purposefully-built database aids novice users in quickly exploring data analysis through deep learning.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victoria A. Lund, Haneesh Gangotra, Zhen Zhao, Joshua A. F. Sutton, Katarzyna Wacnik, Kristen DeMeester, Hai Liang, Cintia Santiago, Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes, Simon Jones, Simon J. Foster
Summary: The synthesis and hydrolysis of peptidoglycan, which is essential for bacterial viability and targeted by antibiotics, have been studied using novel labeling approaches and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The research provides molecular-level details of how peptidoglycan dynamics are controlled during growth and division.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Joanna W. Pylvanainen, Romain F. Laine, Bruno M. S. Saraiva, Sujan Ghimire, Gautier Follain, Ricardo Henriques, Guillaume Jacquemet
Summary: Fast4DReg is a new tool developed for ImageJ or Fiji that can quickly correct axial and lateral drift in 3D video-microscopy datasets. It outperforms other state-of-the-art open-source drift-correction tools in terms of speed and accuracy, and can be used to register misaligned channels in 3D.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daria Aristova, Roman Selin, Hannah Sophie Heil, Viktoriia Kosach, Yuriy Slominsky, Sergiy Yarmoluk, Vasyl Pekhnyo, Vladyslava Kovalska, Ricardo Henriques, Andriy Mokhir, Svitlana Chernii
Summary: In this study, symmetrical cationic trimethine cyanine dyes with ss-substituents were proposed as probes for detecting and visualizing live and fixed cells by fluorescence microscopy. The dyes showed increased emission intensity in the presence of nucleic acids and were found to bind to nucleic acids through various interaction mechanisms. The dyes were able to stain cell components, including nuclei and certain organelle structures, with different levels of specificity. The benzoxazole dye T-5 showed selective staining of structures associated with mitochondria or lysosomes and could be used as an alternative to commercial dyes for mitochondria staining.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
H. Dacres, F. Weihs, J. Wang, A. Anderson, S. C. Trowell
Summary: A novel bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor has been developed to measure bacterial protease activity in milk. This biosensor is highly selective for bacterial protease activity and is more sensitive and faster than the established FITC-Casein method. It is suitable for use in production settings.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
