Article
Microbiology
Xiaolin Liu, Anna Roujeinikova, Karen M. Ottemann
Summary: FliL is a protein found in the flagellar motor of bacteria. It was previously unclear what role it plays. However, through reanalyzing studies on FliL, scientists discovered that the presence or absence of different regions of the protein affects motility. The N-terminal region is found to have a negative effect on motor function, and its removal allows normal motility.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena A. Zehr, Antonina Roll-Mecak
Summary: Two separate studies have reported high-resolution structures of the almost complete central apparatus, providing insights into the mechanism of ciliary beating and advancing our molecular understanding of cilia architecture and function.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dominika Trzilova, Mercedes A. H. Warren, Nicole C. Gadda, Caitlin L. Williams, Rita Tamayo
Summary: C. difficile exhibits heterogeneity in swimming motility and toxin production through phase variation by site-specific DNA recombination. The ability of C. difficile to phase vary flagella and toxins influences colonization and disease development, indicating that the phenotypic variants generated by flagellar switch inversion have distinct capacities for causing disease.
Article
Microbiology
Yangfu Li, Nuo Chen, Qingping Wu, Xinmin Liang, Xiaoming Yuan, Zhenjun Zhu, Yin Zheng, Shubo Yu, Moutong Chen, Jumei Zhang, Juan Wang, Yu Ding
Summary: This study found that knocking out the flagellar hook encoding gene flgE in emetic Bacillus cereus strains resulted in the loss of flagellar structure and swimming ability, defects in both pellicle and ring formation, and a decrease in cereulide synthesis. This suggests that flagellar components play an important role in biofilm formation and cereulide production in emetic B. cereus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Weijie Chen, Neha Mani, Hamid Karani, Hao Li, Sridhar Mani, Jay X. Tang
Summary: In this study, by confining bacterial movement in circular microwells, it was found that swarming bacteria and planktonic bacteria exhibited different collective motion patterns within a specific size range. The observation of 'rafting behavior' of swarming bacteria upon dilution suggests a potential mechanism for the differences in motion patterns. The experimental design using PDMS microchip disk arrays enabled the observation of bacterial swarming on murine intestinal surface, providing a new method for characterizing bacterial swarming in complex environments.
Article
Microbiology
Sean Giacomucci, Annabelle Mathieu-Denoncourt, Antony T. T. Vincent, Hanen Jannadi, Marylise Duperthuy
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism of restoring motility in Vibrio cholerae in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of polymyxin B. Mutations in five genes were found to be involved in this process, and it was further demonstrated that certain gene mutations can increase bacterial survival and limit the impact of polymyxin B on the bacterial envelope.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marek Bogacz, Faiha M. El Abbar, Claudia A. Cox, Jiaqi Li, Jarred S. Fiedler, Lynn K. H. Tran, Paul M. H. Tran, C. Luke Daugherty, Kate H. Blake, Zhirui Wang, Parastoo Azadi, Stuart A. Thompson
Summary: The study identified the FliW binding site on CsrA in Campylobacter jejuni and found that specific mutations (V51A and N55A) significantly decreased FliW binding. These mutations, as well as the conservation of certain residues in bacterial species, suggest a potential regulation mechanism by FliW in bacterial CsrA proteins.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yulia Eygeris, Qiaoyi Wang, Marion Gorke, Michael Grunwald, Ilya Zharov
Summary: This study introduces a novel family of tunable nanoporous membranes based on nanoparticles decorated with temperature-responsive polymer brushes. Mechanically robust membranes were prepared from hairy nanoparticles carrying PNIPAM polymer brushes. The permeability and filtration cutoff of these membranes were measured at different temperatures. Molecular dynamics computer simulations provided insights into the temperature-dependent pore sizes and polymer configurations responsible for the observed filtration membrane permeability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yunjie Chang, Hui Xu, Md A. Motaleb, Jun Liu
Summary: Researchers have discovered a multiprotein collar complex in Lyme disease spirochetes, which exhibits remarkable structural plasticity to accommodate the highly curved membrane and generate the high torque necessary for spirochete motility.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xia Liang, Feng Wei, Hongliang Yang, Li Fan, Xiaolin Cai, Yangyang Ma, Jiancheng Shi, Kun Xing, Lijuan Qiu, Xixuan Li, Lijuan Lu, Jie Ji, Yingqiang Wen, Jiayue Feng
Summary: A new strain of Xanthomonas fragariae, YLX21, was isolated in China and found to be genetically different from the known strain YL19. YLX21 primarily multiplied within strawberry leaves, causing severe angular leaf spot symptoms, while YL19 was more likely to cause dry cavity rot in strawberry crowns. Additionally, the motility and chemotaxis abilities of the two strains differed.
Article
Microbiology
Claudia A. Cox, Marek Bogacz, Faiha M. El Abbar, Darren D. Browning, Brian Y. Hsueh, Chris M. Waters, Vincent T. Lee, Stuart A. Thompson
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis and is associated with various extragastrointestinal conditions. The study found that CbrR is a negative regulator that controls motility and the expression of FlaA, a critical virulence factor in C. jejuni pathogenesis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lau Kia Kian, Mohammad Jawaid, Salman Alamery, Ashok Vaseashta
Summary: The study focuses on producing poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) membranes with nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and cellulose nanowhisker (CNW) fillers at different loadings, showing improved pore formation, surface wettability, thermal and mechanical properties, and water permeability. These CNW-filled PDLA membranes have high potential for future water filtration applications.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. Mozammel Hoque, Parisa Noorian, Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara, Srijon Adhikary, Joyce To, Scott A. Rice, Diane McDougald
Summary: The flagellar transcriptional regulator flrA plays a key role in flagellum synthesis initiation in Vibrio cholerae. This study demonstrates that the absence of flrA leads to increased growth and survival of V. cholerae in the amoeba host Acanthamoeba castellanii, and this is associated with upregulation of genes involved in iron acquisition and amino acid biosynthesis. The availability of iron is crucial for V. cholerae survival in amoeba, and the catalases KatB and KatG confer increased tolerance to oxidative stress. These findings highlight the importance of flrA in resistance to protozoan predation and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying increased survival in the environment.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Victoria Palma, Maria Soledad Gutierrez, Orlando Vargas, Raghuveer Parthasarathy, Paola Navarrete
Summary: Bacterial motility is a common characteristic that can be studied through various methods, with three-dimensional imaging being advantageous in microscopic approaches. Understanding bacterial motility is also important for studying bacterial-host interactions.
Article
Immunology
Fei Lou, Kunli Wang, Yunfeng Hou, Xiaolei Shang, Fayin Tang
Summary: Resveratrol was found to inhibit the flagella-mediated virulence and adhesion of S. typhimurium to cells. Although it did not significantly improve the survival rate of infected mice, resveratrol reduced the bacterial load in the liver and spleen and showed anti-inflammatory activity.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Frederic Plewniak, Sandrine Koechler, Denis Le Paslier, Marina Hery, Odile Bruneel, Philippe N. Bertin
RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Philippe Bertin
RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Johann Peltier, Audrey Hamiot, Julian R. Garneau, Pierre Boudry, Anna Maikova, Eliane Hajnsdorf, Louis-Charles Fortier, Bruno Dupuy, Olga Soutourina
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Annela Semai, Frederic Plewniak, Armelle Charrie-Duhaut, Amalia Sayeh, Lisa Gil, Celine Vandecasteele, Celine Lopez-Roques, Emmanuelle Leize-Wagner, Farid Bensalah, Philippe N. Bertin
Summary: The Serratia sp. Tan611 strain isolated from industrially contaminated waste water showed a high biodegradation rate of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the presence of crude oil. The strain was also able to produce biosurfactants and form biofilms, making it a promising candidate for hydrocarbon bioremediation.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre Boudry, Emma Piattelli, Emilie Drouineau, Johann Peltier, Anais Boutserin, Maxence Lejars, Eliane Hajnsdorf, Marc Monot, Bruno Dupuy, Isabelle Martin-Verstraete, Daniel Gautheret, Claire Toffano-Nioche, Olga Soutourina
Summary: High-throughput sequencing of RNA immunoprecipitation revealed a diverse set of mRNAs and ncRNAs interacting with the RNA chaperone protein Hfq in C. difficile, shedding light on the post-transcriptional regulatory network of this pathogen.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Frederic Plewniak, Simona Crognale, Odile Bruneel, Odile Sismeiro, Jean-Yves Coppee, Simona Rossetti, Philippe Bertin
Summary: In acid mine drainages, a synergistic relationship between the green and brown food webs is favored due to low carbon content and mineral nutrient availability, impacting the assembly and activities of microbial communities. Trophic conditions like carbon or mineral nutrient limitations play a significant role in influencing the competition and interactions among different organisms in these environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Charlotte Roux, Thibault A. Etienne, Eliane Hajnsdorf, Delphine Ropers, A. J. Carpousis, Muriel Cocaign-Bousquet, Laurence Girbal
Summary: This review highlights the importance of mRNA degradation in regulating E. coli metabolism and identifies it as a key target for innovative metabolic engineering strategies in biotechnology. The article summarizes the interactions between mRNA degradation, transcription, translation, and metabolism, as well as the potential to control metabolic activity by manipulating mRNA degradation.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Philippe N. Bertin, Simona Crognale, Frederic Plewniak, Fabienne Battaglia-Brunet, Simona Rossetti, Michel Mench
Summary: Microorganisms and plants play critical roles in the arsenic biogeochemical cycle, offering potential for innovative biotechnological applications to remediate arsenic pollution. Genomic studies and experiments have enhanced our understanding of their interactions with arsenic, leading to the development of environmentally friendly bioprocessing options targeting arsenic contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maxence Lejars, Asaki Kobayashi, Eliane Hajnsdorf
Summary: The ribosome serves as the universal catalyst for protein synthesis, with its structure and function diversity yet to be fully understood. The complexity of ribosome biogenesis is achieved through a variety of effectors, including the conserved RNase III enzymes. These enzymes play a significant role in gene expression regulation and ribosomal RNA processing, with additional roles in ribosome biogenesis.
Article
Microbiology
Annela Semai, Frederic Plewniak, Joanna Lledo, Gwenolah Annonay, Celine Vandecasteele, Celine Lopez-Roques, Philippe N. Bertin
Summary: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain 1800 was isolated from the effluent of an industrial oil refinery in Algeria, and its genome was sequenced and assembled using multiple sequencing technologies.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maxence Lejars, Eliane Hajnsdorf
Summary: Bacteria adapt to changing environments by quickly remodeling their transcriptome and proteome, and inactivation of RNase III affects numerous genes, leading to increased sensitivity to temperature shock and oxidative stress.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Salima Tighidet, Frederic Plewniak, Amalia Sayeh, Lisa Gil, Celine Vandecasteele, Celine Lopez-Roques, Mouloud Kecha, Philippe N. Bertin
Summary: A heavy metal resistant actinobacterial strain was isolated from a lead and zinc mine in Algeria. It showed high resistance to various heavy metals and had the ability to degrade different types of dyes. The strain has potential applications in the bioremediation of textile dyeing industry effluents.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maxence Lejars, Joel Caillet, Eugenio Solchaga-Flores, Maude Guillier, Jacqueline Plumbridge, Eliane Hajnsdorf
Summary: Bacteria have resilient regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression, including the use of RNA-binding proteins and regulatory RNAs. In this study, the researchers confirmed the existence of RNase III-sensitive antisense RNAs (asRNAs) for several genes encoding global regulators in Escherichia coli. They also demonstrated that the asRNA AsflhD, transcribed from the coding sequence of the flhD gene, is involved in the fine-tuning of flhD expression and thus participates in the control of motility.
Article
Plant Sciences
Felix de Carpentier, Alexandre Maes, Christophe H. Marchand, Celine Chung, Cyrielle Durand, Pierre Crozet, Stephane D. Lemaire, Antoine Danon
Summary: The discovery of regulators involved in the formation of multicellular aggregates in response to abiotic stress in the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii highlights a new survival strategy for unicellular organisms.
Article
Microbiology
Nardjess Cheraiti, Frederic Plewniak, Salima Tighidet, Amalia Sayeh, Lisa Gil, Ludivine Malherbe, Yosr Memmi, Laurence Zilliox, Celine Vandecasteele, Pierre Boyer, Celine Lopez-Roques, Benoit Jaulhac, Mourad Bensouilah, Philippe N. Bertin
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siva Santhiya Arul, Brinda Balakrishnan, Savithri S. Handanahal, Sangita Venkataraman
Summary: Viral nanoparticles are self-assembling delivery systems used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. They have improved biocompatibility and are widely used in various biomedical applications. However, large-scale production of VNPs still faces challenges.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wisely Chua, Carl O. Marsh, Si En Poh, Winston LC. Koh, Melody Li Ying Lee, Li Fang Koh, Xin-Zi Emily Tang, Peter See, Zheng Ser, Shi Mei Wang, Radoslaw M. Sobota, Thomas L. Dawson Jr, Yik Weng Yew, Steven Thng, Anthony J. O'Donoghue, Hazel H. Oon, John E. Common, Hao Li
Summary: In this study, the gene expression of enzymes secreted by Malassezia globosa in the skin was investigated using targeted RNA sequencing. The study found that the expression of these enzymes is regulated by the fungus's environment and differs significantly from healthy skin sites. Additionally, a pseudoprotease MGL_3331 was identified to elicit an immune reaction in patients with atopic dermatitis. This highlights the importance of studying fungal proteins in physiologically relevant environments and their role in host immunity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Belisa Parmeggiani, Marian Flores Signori, Cristiane Cecatto, Marina Rocha Frusciante, Manuela Bianchin Marcuzzo, Debora Guerini Souza, Rafael Teixeira Ribeiro, Bianca Seminotti, Diogo Onofre Gomes de Souza, Cesar Augusto Joa o Ribeiro, Moacir Wajner, Guilhian Leipnitz
Summary: Non ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a disorder caused by mutations in the genes encoding glycine cleavage system proteins, leading to severe neurodegeneration and white matter alterations. The study found that glycine affects myelin structure, glutamatergic system, and induces oxidative stress in neonatal rats and MO3.13 oligodendroglial cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Rose Ndella Thiaw, Pascal Gantet
Summary: Mini zinc fingers play important roles in plant development, including control of cell division and expansion, meristem state transition, and growth and organ development. They have diverse modes of action, such as direct gene activation, interaction with specific transcription factors, and aggregation of protein complexes for chromatin remodeling. Further research is needed to explore their wider range of biological functions and their involvement in biotic and abiotic stress responses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shao-Jui Lai, Takahiro Kameda, Maasa Morita, Yuka Yamagata, Kaoruko Nishizaka, Yuna Horiuchi, Yukihiro Kobayashi, Yoko Usami, Jun-Jen Liu, Takeshi Kasama, Minoru Tozuka, Ryunosuke Ohkawa
Summary: In this study, the co-modification and impact of chymase and MPO on HDL were investigated. Sequential treatment with MPO and chymase generated two novel apoA-I fragments from HDL, one of which has a specific immunological property and can be used to predict patients with normal HDL-C levels and cardiovascular diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Mi Sun, Asami Yoshida, Takuya Ishii, Yan-Rong Jiang, Yi-Li Gao, Mikinori Ueno, Katsuya Hirasaka, Kiyoshi Osatomi
Summary: This study found that infection with the causative bacteria of edwardsiellosis, Edwardsiella tarda NUF251, leads to the production of superoxide radicals, causing oxidative stress. The research on the Jfsod1 gene suggests that the transcription factor NF-IL6 plays a significant role in upregulating the transcriptional activity of the gene in response to oxidative stress induced by NUF251 infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shane M. Carey, Sean P. Kearns, Matthew E. Millington, Gregory S. Buechner, Beda E. Alvarez Jr, Leily Daneshian, Brendan Abiskaroon, Maksymilian Chruszcz, Edward L. D'Antonio
Summary: The importance of F337 in TcGlcK was investigated using the hole mutagenesis approach, revealing its key interactions with aromatic tail groups in inhibitor molecules. Mutants retaining activity and structural similarity were obtained, suggesting the possibility of TcHxK existing as a monomer lacking the F337 residue. Similar D-glucosamine inhibitors may bind less strongly to TcHxK due to the absence of van der Waals contacts from residue side chains.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia Barria, Diogo Athayde, Guillem Hernandez, Leonor Fonseca, Jorge Casinhas, Tiago N. Cordeiro, Margarida Archer, Cecilia M. Arraiano, Jose A. Brito, Rute G. Matos
Summary: Ribonucleases play a crucial role in RNA regulation by processing, degrading, and quality controlling cellular transcripts. Campylobacter jejuni, the main cause of human gastroenteritis, relies on the exoribonuclease PNPase (CjPNP) for low-temperature survival, virulence factor synthesis, and swimming, cell adhesion/invasion, and chick colonization abilities. The crystallographic structure of CjPNP, along with SAXS analysis, confirms its trimeric arrangement and provides insight into domain arrangement and flexibility. Mutations in highly conserved residues reveal unexpected RNA degradation activity even under conditions favoring polymerization. These findings have significant implications for the development of strategies to combat C. jejuni infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elvira R. Shaykhutdinova, Maria S. Severyukhina, Inna V. Kholoshenko, Elena A. Gondarenko, Irina V. Shelukhina, Elena V. Kryukova, Alina M. Ismailova, Elena S. Sadovnikova, Igor A. Dyachenko, Arkady N. Murashev, Victor I. Tsetlin, Yuri N. Utkin
Summary: Evidence suggests that activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can reduce cardiac injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion. In this study, the expression of a4, a6, and a132 nAChR subunits in the rat heart's left ventricle was demonstrated. The nAChR agonists cytisine and varenicline, commonly used for nicotine addiction treatment, were found to significantly reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, with varenicline showing greater protection. The presence of a4132, a7, and/or a6132-containing receptors suggests that the protective effect of varenicline may be mediated by these subunits. These findings indicate a potential new use for cytisine and varenicline as cardioprotective agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinhai Xiong, Wenjie Chen, Cheng Chen, Qi Wu, Chaopeng He
Summary: This article summarizes the important roles of Cx43 in disease development from the perspective of subcellular localization and provides new ideas for Cx43 as a therapeutic target and the search for related pathological mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Bastos, Simone Pascoal, Kamila Lopes, Marcia Mortari, Helena Oliveira
Summary: Cancer, especially melanoma, is a major global health problem due to its metastatic capacity, treatment resistance, and high mortality rates. The Chartergellus-CP1 peptide isolated from Chartergellus communis wasp venom showed selective cytotoxicity towards melanoma cell lines, inducing apoptosis, cell cycle impairment, and intracellular ROS increase.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlotte Claeyssen, Nathan Bulangalire, Bruno Bastide, Onnik Agbulut, Caroline Cieniewski-Bernard
Summary: Maintenance of striated muscle tissue relies on a dynamic network of protein-protein interactions. Desmin intermediate filaments play a crucial role in heart and skeletal muscle by maintaining cell structure and contributing to various cellular processes. The assembly of desmin intermediate filaments requires aB-crystallin, which is involved in multiple cellular functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dhritiman Dey, Adhiraj Dasgupta, Dipanjan Ghosh, Oindrila Bhattacharjee, Abhrajyoti Ghosh, Ayae Honda, Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay
Summary: This study successfully identified host factors that interact with Chandipura Virus (CHPV) and play a critical role in infection, including A2M, LRP1, and GRP78. Knocking out A2M has a severe effect on viral infection, indicating the potential role of these host proteins in viral entry into host cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Dotsenko, Igor Sinelnikov, Aleksandra Rozhkova, Ivan Zorov, Arkady Sinitsyn
Summary: Xylanases play important roles in various industrial applications, such as feed additives, pulp and paper bleaching, and the production of bread, food, and drinks. Xylanases from the GH10 family show high thermostability and resistance to protein inhibitors, making them promising candidates for these processes. This study successfully improved the thermostability and enzymatic activity of GH10 xylanase, which could enhance its effectiveness as a feed additive and during pulp and paper bleaching.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Jaquet, M. Bengue, K. Lambert, G. Carnac, D. Misse, C. Bisbal
Summary: Changes to our environment have led to the emergence of human pathogens such as chikungunya virus, which is now a major public health concern. In this study, the interconnection between skeletal muscle cells metabolism, their differentiation stage, and the infectivity of chikungunya virus was investigated. The results showed that chikungunya virus infectivity is dependent on cell differentiation and metabolism and that the virus interferes with cellular metabolism.