Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenia Butucel, Igori Balta, David McCleery, Cosmin Alin Popescu, Tiberiu Iancu, Ioan Pet, Adela Marcu, Nicolae-Marinel Horablaga, Lavinia Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: This study demonstrates that Citrox BCL can effectively prevent biofilm formation and reduce virulence of L. pneumophila. Sub-inhibitory concentration of Citrox BCL reduces intracellular growth and EPS production of L. pneumophila. Moreover, Citrox BCL inhibits the expression of specific genes, reducing iron sequestration and biofilm formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Courtney Marin, Ogan K. Kumova, Shira Ninio
Summary: Legionella pneumophila is a pathogen that causes severe pneumonia and can survive in the environment by forming biofilms. The gene bffA appears to play a role in regulating biofilm formation, motility, cellular replication, and virulence of L. pneumophila.
Article
Immunology
Xanthe Adams-Ward, Annelise Chapalain, Christophe Ginevra, Sophie Jarraud, Patricia Doublet, Christophe Gilbert
Summary: Bacterial persisters are non-growing, antibiotic-tolerant cells that play a role in treatment failure and antibiotic resistance development. This study investigated the persister formation capacity of Legionella pneumophila clinical isolates and found that it varies between different pairs of isolates. The development of persister cells appeared to be strain-dependent, and genome sequencing analysis did not reveal any genetic microevolution linked to increased persistence capacity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Deepika Chauhan, Ashley M. Joseph, Stephanie R. Shames
Summary: This study discovered a new intrabacterial mechanism in L. pneumophila virulence, in which MesI plays a crucial role. When uncoupled from MesI, SidI becomes toxic to the bacteria and triggers rapid degradation in host cells. The translocation of MesI is dispensable for intracellular replication, indicating the importance of intrabacterial regulation of SidI in L. pneumophila virulence.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Giuseppe Gattuso, Roberta Rizzo, Alessandro Lavoro, Vincenzoleo Spoto, Giuseppe Porciello, Concetta Montagnese, Diana Cina, Alessia Cosentino, Cinzia Lombardo, Maria Lina Mezzatesta, Mario Salmeri
Summary: This review provides an overview of the clinical and molecular features of Legionella pneumophila, with a focus on the latest findings on drug resistance mechanisms. It also discusses the current guidelines for disinfection and surveillance of water systems, and critically evaluates the diagnostic strategies available for detecting Legionella spp.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yury Belyi, Nadya Levanova, Gunnar N. Schroeder
Summary: Work over the past two decades has revealed the significant role of glycosyltransferase effectors in the infection strategy of Legionella pneumophila, a Gram-negative respiratory pathogen. These effectors manipulate host protein synthesis, impacting the physiological state of target cells, such as cell cycle progression and immune and stress responses. Recent research has identified new glycosyltransferases and suggests the existence of undiscovered family members with unique catalytic features and substrates.
Article
Microbiology
Ashraf R. Zayed, Marina Pecellin, Lina Jaber, Suha Butmeh, Shereen A. Bahader, Michael Steinert, Manfred G. Hoefle, Ingrid Brettar, Dina M. Bitar
Summary: Due to the hot climate and intermittent water supply, the West Bank is considered a high-risk area for Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella pneumophila. Certain genotypes of L. pneumophila in this region show higher virulence potential compared to others, suggesting a site-specific variation in genotype-based risk assessment. Detailed analysis of bacterial genotypes in the region can help improve risk assessment based on genotype.
Review
Microbiology
Jin-Lei Yang, Danyang Li, Xiao-Yong Zhan
Summary: Pathogenic species of Legionella can cause Legionellosis by infecting human alveolar macrophages through Legionella-containing aerosols. The disease has two forms, Pontiac fever and Legionnaires' disease. Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen that can be found in aquatic environments as a biofilm or protozoa parasite. The virulence factors of Legionella are better classified as survival factors, as they are associated with infections in protozoa and macrophages.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiao-Yong Zhan, Jin-Lei Yang, Xuefu Zhou, Yi-Chao Qian, Ke Huang, Honghua Sun, Huacheng Wang, Yang Leng, Bihui Huang, Yulong He
Summary: SidJ family proteins play a crucial role in the virulence of Legionella pneumophila, regulating cellular processes through a unique phosphoribosyl ubiquitination mechanism. The evolution of the sidJ gene is shaped by intragenic recombination and strong positive selection, potentially impacting the balance of ubiquitin ligase activity in different hosts of the bacteria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Edward Portal, Ghislaine Descours, Christophe Ginevra, Massimo Mentasti, Baharak Afshar, Meera Chand, Jessica Day, Fedoua Echahidi, Laura Franzin, Valeria Gaia, Christian Luck, Alaeddine Meghraoui, Jacob Moran-Gilad, Maria Luisa Ricci, Gerard Lina, Soren Uldum, Jonas Winchell, Robin Howe, Kathryn Bernard, Owen B. Spiller, Victoria J. Chalker, Sophie Jarraud
Summary: This paper presents recommendations for the standardization of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods, guidelines, and reference strains for Legionnaire's disease, aiming to facilitate a more improved era of antibiotic resistance determination.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabian Nikolka, Mustafa Safa Karagoez, Mohamed Zakaria Nassef, Karsten Hiller, Michael Steinert, Thekla Cordes
Summary: Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is a common cause of bacterial pneumonia and its virulence factor macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity of Lp. This study used mass spectrometry to analyze the metabolic consequences of altered Mip activity in Lp, revealing changes in branched-chain amino acid metabolism. The findings suggest that Mip may contribute to novel disease mechanisms associated with Legionnaires' disease.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Nicolas J. Scheuplein, Nicole M. Bzdyl, Theresa Lohr, Emily A. Kibble, Anja Hasenkopf, Carina Herbst, Mitali Sarkar-Tyson, Ulrike Holzgrabe
Summary: The macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein is a promising target for developing new drugs against antimicrobial resistance. New rapamycin-derived Mip inhibitors have been designed that can inhibit the Mip protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei (BpMip) by using two binding modes. These inhibitors have shown high affinity for BpMip protein, high anti-enzymatic activity, and reduced cytotoxicity. They also exhibit strong anti-enzymatic activity against Mip proteins of other bacteria and improve macrophages' ability to kill bacteria. Therefore, these new Mip inhibitors are promising, non-cytotoxic candidates for further testing against a broad spectrum of pathogens and infectious diseases.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ramon Hochstrasser, Sarah Michaelis, Sabrina Brulisauer, Thomas Sura, Mingzhen Fan, Sandra Maass, Dorte Becher, Hubert Hilbi
Summary: The environmental bacterium Legionella pneumophila uses a regulatory network to control bacterial motility, virulence, and biofilm structure, and regulates the migration of amoebae through biofilms and the formation of bacterial clusters.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Hong Zhong, Tao-Tao Chen, Song-Ying Ouyang
Summary: Acetylation is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins mediated by acetyltransferases and deacetylase. It plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes and has been shown to be important in the pathogenic processes of bacteria.
PROGRESS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominik A. Machtens, Jonas M. Willerding, Susanne Eschenburg, Thomas F. Reubold
Summary: The Gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila is an accidental human pathogen that causes Legionellosis. During infection, L. pneumophila injects more than 300 effector proteins into the host cell to modify the intracellular environment and create a stable compartment for proliferation. The effector protein SidI inhibits host translation by interacting with eEF1A and may have a toxic effect due to its glycosyltransferase domain.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Silvia Molino, Alberto Lerma-Aguilera, Nuria Jimenez-Hernandez, Maria Jose Gosalbes, Jose Angel Rufian-Henares, M. Pilar Francino
Summary: The study showed that foods enriched with tannin extracts can effectively increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia and promote the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) without altering the characteristics of the foods themselves.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Stavroula Kanoni, Satish Kumar, Charalampia Amerikanou, Mary Jo Kurth, Maria G. Stathopoulou, Stephane Bourgeois, Christine Masson, Aimo Kannt, Lucia Cesarini, Maria-Spyridoula Kontoe, Maja Milanovic, Francisco J. Roig, Mirjana Beribaka, Jonica Campolo, Nuria Jimenez-Hernandez, Natasa Milosevic, Carlos Llorens, Ilias Smyrnioudis, M. Pilar Francino, Natasa Milic, Andriana C. Kaliora, Maria Giovanna Trivella, Mark W. Ruddock, Milica Medic-Stojanoska, Amalia Gastaldelli, John Lamont, Panos Deloukas, George V. Dedoussis, Sophie Visvikis-Siest
Summary: Within the MAST4HEALTH randomized clinical trial, Mastiha supplementation significantly improved total antioxidant status (TAS) levels among NAFLD patients with severe obesity. The study also identified several novel genome-wide significant nutrigenetic interactions influencing the antioxidant and inflammatory status in NAFLD patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rebeca Dominguez-Santos, Ana Elena Perez-Cobas, Paolo Cuti, Vicente Perez-Brocal, Carlos Garcia-Ferris, Andres Moya, Amparo Latorre, Rosario Gil
Summary: This study analyzed the hindgut microbiome of Blattella germanica, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. Network analysis showed potential cooperation between core bacteria crucial for ecosystem equilibrium. Antibiotic treatments altered microbiota diversity and function, but these features were restored after one untreated generation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vincent Blay, Jie Dong, Andres Moya
Summary: This study investigates the extent to which molecular characteristics can explain natural product prices using machine learning tools. It identifies hydrophobicity and the presence of certain heteroatoms as key factors in determining prices across the chemical space. Additionally, the application of cliff analysis to prices reveals small chemical transformations that have a remarkable impact on prices.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
I Creus-Marti, A. Moya, F. J. Santonja
Summary: Growing interest in understanding microbiota dynamics has led to the development of a new model for analyzing high-dimensional data, reducing parameter number and speeding up estimation, with the model's usefulness illustrated through a case study.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
O. Contreras-Rodriguez, M. Arnoriaga-Rodriguez, R. Miranda-Olivos, G. Blasco, C. Biarnes, J. Puig, J. Rivera-Pinto, M. L. Calle, V Perez-Brocal, A. Moya, C. Coll, L. Ramio-Torrenta, C. Soriano-Mas, J. M. Fernandez-Real
Summary: The study found that obesity and gut dysbiosis can lead to structural changes in hypothalamic networks, further affecting executive function and depressive symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Meltem Dinleyici, Vicente Perez-Brocal, Sertac Arslanoglu, Ozge Aydemir, Sibel Sevuk Ozumut, Neslihan Tekin, Yvan Vandenplas, Andres Moya, Ener Cagri Dinleyici
Summary: This study compared the virome compositions of transient and mature human milk, revealing differences in bacteriophage abundance based on delivery mode, gestational age, and weight for gestational age. Bacteriophages were found to be the predominant component of the HM virome, with variations observed in relation to lactation period, preterm birth, and birth weight.
Article
Microbiology
Monica Parra-Grande, Martin Ore-Arce, Llucia Martinez-Priego, Giuseppe D'Auria, Ramon Rossello-Mora, Marta Lillo, Andrea Sempere, Blanca Lumbreras, Victoria Sanchez-Hellin
Summary: Microbiota may contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to characterize the bladder microbiota in patients with malignant bladder neoplasia and identify potential differences in microbial composition between tumor and non-tumor tissues. The study found significant differences in microbial richness and composition according to tumor grade, as well as higher microbial richness in non-tumor tissues. The presence of specific microbial profiles suggests a protective role for certain microbiota in bladder cancer.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Clara Marin, Francisco Marco-Jimenez, Llucia Martinez-Priego, Griselda De Marco-Romero, Vicente Soriano-Chirona, Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Giuseppe D'Auria
Summary: Researchers have successfully assembled a portable sequencing kit for rapid detection of Campylobacter in poultry meat. They have developed a workflow for on-farm use that can detect and report the presence of Campylobacter within five hours, as well as determine its relationship with other microbes. This method is of great significance for the control of zoonotic pathogens.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Jose Gosalbes, Nuria Jimenez-Hernandez, Elena Moreno, Alejandro Artacho, Xavier Pons, Sonia Ruiz-Perez, Beatriz Navia, Vicente Estrada, Monica Manzano, Alba Talavera-Rodriguez, Nadia Madrid, Alejandro Vallejo, Laura Luna, Jose A. Perez-Molina, Santiago Moreno, Sergio Serrano-Villar
Summary: This study reveals strong inter-kingdom interactions between the mycobiome and bacteriome in individuals with HIV. The mycobiome in HIV patients is distinct and enriched with specific fungal species, which are correlated with inflammatory cytokines and immune cell counts. Additionally, diet, specifically vegetable and fiber intake, affects the composition of the mycobiome.
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
I. Creus Marti, A. Moya, F. J. Santonja
Summary: This paper presents a Bayesian model for analyzing longitudinal gut microbiome data, taking into account compositional paradigm and principal balances. The proposed model is able to predict future dynamics of microbial community in the short term and analyze microbial interactions using estimated parameters. It is demonstrated to be useful through the analysis of six different datasets and comparison with four alternative models.
Editorial Material
Biology
Andres Moya
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ricardo Garcia-Gamboa, Miguel Dominguez-Simi, Misael S. Gradilla-Hernandez, Jorge Bravo, Andres Moya, Blanca Ruiz-Alvarez, Marisela Gonzalez-Avila
Summary: This study evaluated the growth inhibition and antibiofilm activity of short-chain fatty acids and inulin-type fructans produced by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici against Candida albicans. The results showed significant growth inhibition and antibiofilm formation against a clinically isolated Candida albicans strain.
Article
Biology
Javier Falgueras-Cano, Juan Antonio Falgueras-Cano, Andres Moya
Summary: This study uses a cellular automaton to simulate the evolutionary dynamics of species and investigates the effects of different dispersal strategies on the interactions between digital organisms. The research finds that the distribution pattern significantly influences the dynamics, persistence, distribution, and abundance of populations. Aggregated distribution is crucial for predator-prey interactions and provides a straightforward explanation for the paradox of plankton and animal grouping. It is less efficient in preserving populations compared to uniform distribution, but it can enhance the evolutionary stability of certain biological interactions.
Review
Biology
Rebeca de la Fuente, Wladimiro Diaz-Villanueva, Vicente Arnau, Andres Moya
Summary: Genomic signature refers to characteristics associated with DNA sequences, which can be used to analyze genotype-phenotype patterns, identify gene expression profiles, or study statistical properties of DNA sequences. This review performs a bibliometric analysis to identify the main genomic signatures and categorizes them according to their conceptual meanings. It highlights the importance of genomic signatures in evolutionary biology.
