scholarly journals A Patatin-Like Protein Associated with the Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Granules of Haloferax mediterranei Acts as an Efficient Depolymerase in the Degradation of Native PHA

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 3029-3038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guiming Liu ◽  
Jing Hou ◽  
Shuangfeng Cai ◽  
Dahe Zhao ◽  
Lei Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Haloferax Mediterranei ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Shed Light

ABSTRACTThe key enzymes and pathways involved in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biosynthesis in haloarchaea have been identified in recent years, but the haloarchaeal enzymes for PHA degradation remain unknown. In this study, a patatin-like PHA depolymerase, PhaZh1, was determined to be located on the PHA granules in the haloarchaeonHaloferax mediterranei. PhaZh1 hydrolyzed the native PHA (nPHA) [including native polyhydroxybutyrate (nPHB) and native poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (nPHBV) in this study] granulesin vitrowith 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) monomer as the primary product. The site-directed mutagenesis of PhaZh1 indicated that Gly16, Ser47(in a classical lipase box, G-X-S47-X-G), and Asp195of this depolymerase were essential for its activity in nPHA granule hydrolysis. Notably,phaZh1andbdhA(encoding putative 3HB dehydrogenase) form a gene cluster (HFX_6463to_6464) inH. mediterranei. The 3HB monomer generated from nPHA degradation by PhaZh1 could be further converted into acetoacetate by BdhA, indicating that PhaZh1-BdhA may constitute the first part of a PHA degradation pathwayin vivo. Interestingly, although PhaZh1 showed efficient activity and was most likely the key enzyme in nPHA granule hydrolysisin vitro, the knockout ofphaZh1had no significant effect on the intracellular PHA mobilization, implying the existence of an alternative PHA mobilization pathway(s) that functions effectively within the cells ofH. mediterranei. Therefore, identification of this patatin-like depolymerase of haloarchaea may provide a new strategy for producing the high-value-added chiral compound (R)-3HB and may also shed light on the PHA mobilization in haloarchaea.

scholarly journals Arsenic Trioxide Negatively Affects Echinococcus granulosus

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 6946-6951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Wang ◽  
Yufeng Jiang ◽  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
Fangfang Li ◽  
Guoqiang Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
New Strategy

ABSTRACTSpillage of cyst contents during surgery is the major cause of recurrences of hydatidosis, also called cystic echinococcosis (CE). Currently, many scolicidal agents are used for inactivation of the cyst contents. However, due to complications in the use of those agents, new and more-effective treatment options are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate thein vitroefficacy of arsenic trioxide (ATO) againstEchinococcus granulosusprotoscolices. Protoscolices ofE. granulosuswere incubatedin vitrowith 2, 4, 6, and 8 μmol/liter ATO; viability of protoscolices was assessed daily by microscopic observation of movements and 0.1% eosin staining. A small sample from each culture was processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. ATO demonstrated a potent ability to kill protoscolices, suggesting that ATO may represent a new strategy in treating hydatid cyst echinococcosis. However, thein vivoefficacy and possible side effects of ATO need to be explored.

scholarly journals Expression of a Toll Signaling Regulator Serpin in a Mycoinsecticide for Increased Virulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (15) ◽  
pp. 4531-4539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linzhi Yang ◽  
Nemat O. Keyhani ◽  
Guirong Tang ◽  
Chuang Tian ◽  
Ruipeng Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Defense Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Greater Wax Moth ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Strategy

ABSTRACTSerpins are ubiquitously distributed serine protease inhibitors that covalently bind to target proteases to exert their activities. Serpins regulate a wide range of activities, particularly those in which protease-mediated cascades are active. TheDrosophila melanogasterserpin Spn43Ac negatively controls the Toll pathway that is activated in response to fungal infection. The entomopathogenic fungusBeauveria bassianaoffers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for insect control. However, the use of mycoinsecticides remains limited in part due to issues of efficacy (low virulence) and the recalcitrance of the targets (due to strong immune responses). Since Spn43Ac acts to inhibit Toll-mediated activation of defense responses, we explored the feasibility of a new strategy to engineer entomopathogenic fungi with increased virulence by expression of Spn43Ac in the fungus. Compared to the 50% lethal dose (LD50) for the wild-type parent, the LD50ofB. bassianaexpressing Spn43Ac (strain Bb::S43Ac-1) was reduced ∼3-fold, and the median lethal time against the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) was decreased by ∼24%, with the more rapid proliferation of hyphal bodies being seen in the host hemolymph.In vitroandin vivoassays showed inhibition of phenoloxidase (PO) activation in the presence of Spn43Ac, with Spn43Ac-mediated suppression of activation by chymotrypsin, trypsin, laminarin, and lipopolysaccharide occurring in the following order: chymotrypsin and trypsin > laminarin > lipopolysaccharide. Expression of Spn43Ac had no effect on the activity of the endogenousB. bassiana-derived cuticle-degrading protease (CDEP-1). These results expand our understanding of Spn43Ac function and confirm that suppression of insect immune system defenses represents a feasible approach to engineering entomopathogenic fungi for greater efficacy.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide sulfhydrates IKKβ at cysteine 179 to control pulmonary artery endothelial cell inflammation

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (20) ◽  
pp. 2045-2059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Zhang ◽  
Xiuli Wang ◽  
Siyao Chen ◽  
Selena Chen ◽  
Wen Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Critical Event ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cell

Abstract Background: Pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) inflammation is a critical event in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the pathogenesis of PAEC inflammation remains unclear. Methods: Purified recombinant human inhibitor of κB kinase subunit β (IKKβ) protein, human PAECs and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats were employed in the study. Site-directed mutagenesis, gene knockdown or overexpression were conducted to manipulate the expression or activity of a target protein. Results: We showed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) inhibited IKKβ activation in the cell model of human PAEC inflammation induced by monocrotaline pyrrole-stimulation or knockdown of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), an H2S generating enzyme. Mechanistically, H2S was proved to inhibit IKKβ activity directly via sulfhydrating IKKβ at cysteinyl residue 179 (C179) in purified recombinant IKKβ protein in vitro, whereas thiol reductant dithiothreitol (DTT) reversed H2S-induced IKKβ inactivation. Furthermore, to demonstrate the significance of IKKβ sulfhydration by H2S in the development of PAEC inflammation, we mutated C179 to serine (C179S) in IKKβ. In purified IKKβ protein, C179S mutation of IKKβ abolished H2S-induced IKKβ sulfhydration and the subsequent IKKβ inactivation. In human PAECs, C179S mutation of IKKβ blocked H2S-inhibited IKKβ activation and PAEC inflammatory response. In pulmonary hypertensive rats, C179S mutation of IKKβ abolished the inhibitory effect of H2S on IKKβ activation and pulmonary vascular inflammation and remodeling. Conclusion: Collectively, our in vivo and in vitro findings demonstrated, for the first time, that endogenous H2S directly inactivated IKKβ via sulfhydrating IKKβ at Cys179 to inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway activation and thereby control PAEC inflammation in PAH.

scholarly journals Functional Characterization of the mazEF Toxin-Antitoxin System in the Pathogenic Bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Wonho Choi ◽  
Yoshihiro Yamaguchi ◽  
Ji-Young Park ◽  
Sang-Hyun Park ◽  
Hyeok-Won Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽  
Physiological Function ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Cell Growth Inhibition ◽  
The Right

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen of various plants which transfers its own DNA (T-DNA) to the host plants. It is used for producing genetically modified plants with this ability. To control T-DNA transfer to the right place, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems of A. tumefaciens were used to control the target site of transfer without any unintentional targeting. Here, we describe a toxin-antitoxin system, Atu0939 (mazE-at) and Atu0940 (mazF-at), in the chromosome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The toxin in the TA system has 33.3% identity and 45.5% similarity with MazF in Escherichia coli. The expression of MazF-at caused cell growth inhibition, while cells with MazF-at co-expressed with MazE-at grew normally. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed that MazF-at inhibited protein synthesis by decreasing the cellular mRNA stability. Moreover, the catalytic residue of MazF-at was determined to be the 24th glutamic acid using site-directed mutagenesis. From the results, we concluded that MazF-at is a type II toxin-antitoxin system and a ribosome-independent endoribonuclease. Here, we characterized a TA system in A. tumefaciens whose understanding might help to find its physiological function and to develop further applications.

scholarly journals USP29-mediated HIF1α stabilization is associated with Sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by upregulating glycolysis

Oncogenesis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruize Gao ◽  
David Buechel ◽  
Ravi K. R. Kalathur ◽  
Marco F. Morini ◽  
Mairene Coto-Llerena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Aerobic Glycolysis ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Hcc Cells

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying evasive resistance in cancer is an unmet medical need to improve the efficacy of current therapies. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), aberrant expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF1α) and increased aerobic glycolysis metabolism are drivers of resistance to therapy with the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib. However, it has remained unknown how HIF1α is activated and how its activity and the subsequent induction of aerobic glycolysis promote Sorafenib resistance in HCC. Here, we report the ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP29 as a new regulator of HIF1α and of aerobic glycolysis during the development of Sorafenib resistance in HCC. In particular, we identified USP29 as a critical deubiquitylase (DUB) of HIF1α, which directly deubiquitylates and stabilizes HIF1α and, thus, promotes its transcriptional activity. Among the transcriptional targets of HIF1α is the gene encoding hexokinase 2 (HK2), a key enzyme of the glycolytic pathway. The absence of USP29, and thus of HIF1α transcriptional activity, reduces the levels of aerobic glycolysis and restores sensitivity to Sorafenib in Sorafenib-resistant HCC cells in vitro and in xenograft transplantation mouse models in vivo. Notably, the absence of USP29 and high HK2 expression levels correlate with the response of HCC patients to Sorafenib therapy. Together, the data demonstrate that, as a DUB of HIF1α, USP29 promotes Sorafenib resistance in HCC cells, in parts by upregulating glycolysis, thereby opening new avenues for therapeutically targeting Sorafenib-resistant HCC in patients.

scholarly journals Berberine-Coated Biomimetic Composite Microspheres for Simultaneously Hemostatic and Antibacterial Performance

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Xiaojian Zhang ◽  
Kaili Dai ◽  
Chenyu Liu ◽  
Haofeng Hu ◽  
Fulin Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Test ◽  
Water Emulsion ◽  
Biomedical Material ◽  
Composite Microspheres ◽  
Antibacterial Performance ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Oil In Water Emulsion ◽  
Hemostatic Powder

Biomimetic microspheres containing alginate/carboxymethylcellulose/gelatin and coated with 0%, 1%, 3%, and 6% berberine (BACG, BACG-1B, BACG-3B, BACG-6B) were prepared by the oil-in-water emulsion method combined with spray drying. Through a series of physicochemical parameters and determination of hemostatic properties in vitro and in vivo, the results indicated that BACG and BACG-Bs were effective in inducing platelet adhesion/aggregation and promoting the hemostatic potential due to their biomimetic structure and rough surface. In addition, BACG-6B with high berberine proportion presented better hemostatic performance compared with the commercial hemostatic agent compound microporous polysaccharide hemostatic powder (CMPHP). BACG-6B also showed strong antibacterial activity in the in vitro test. The hemolysis test and cytotoxicity evaluation further revealed that the novel composite biomaterials have good hemocompatibility and biocompatibility. Thus, BACG-6B provides a new strategy for developing a due-functional (hemostat/antibacterial) biomedical material, which may have broad and promising applications in the future.

scholarly journals Exogenous Alginate Protects Staphylococcus aureus from Killing by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 202 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney E. Price ◽  
Dustin G. Brown ◽  
Dominique H. Limoli ◽  
Vanessa V. Phelan ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alginate Production ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus have worse health outcomes than patients who are monoinfected with either P. aeruginosa or S. aureus. We showed previously that mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa can coexist with S. aureus in vitro due to the transcriptional downregulation of several toxic exoproducts typically produced by P. aeruginosa, including siderophores, rhamnolipids, and HQNO (2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide). Here, we demonstrate that exogenous alginate protects S. aureus from P. aeruginosa in both planktonic and biofilm coculture models under a variety of nutritional conditions. S. aureus protection in the presence of exogenous alginate is due to the transcriptional downregulation of pvdA, a gene required for the production of the iron-scavenging siderophore pyoverdine as well as the downregulation of the PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal) (2-heptyl-3,4-dihydroxyquinoline) quorum sensing system. The impact of exogenous alginate is independent of endogenous alginate production. We further demonstrate that coculture of mucoid P. aeruginosa with nonmucoid P. aeruginosa strains can mitigate the killing of S. aureus by the nonmucoid strain of P. aeruginosa, indicating that the mechanism that we describe here may function in vivo in the context of mixed infections. Finally, we investigated a panel of mucoid clinical isolates that retain the ability to kill S. aureus at late time points and show that each strain has a unique expression profile, indicating that mucoid isolates can overcome the S. aureus-protective effects of mucoidy in a strain-specific manner. IMPORTANCE CF patients are chronically infected by polymicrobial communities. The two dominant bacterial pathogens that infect the lungs of CF patients are P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, with ∼30% of patients coinfected by both species. Such coinfected individuals have worse outcomes than monoinfected patients, and both species persist within the same physical space. A variety of host and environmental factors have been demonstrated to promote P. aeruginosa-S. aureus coexistence, despite evidence that P. aeruginosa kills S. aureus when these organisms are cocultured in vitro. Thus, a better understanding of P. aeruginosa-S. aureus interactions, particularly mechanisms by which these microorganisms are able to coexist in proximal physical space, will lead to better-informed treatments for chronic polymicrobial infections.

scholarly journals In Vitro Synergy and In Vivo Activity of Tigecycline-Ciprofloxacin Combination Therapy against Vibrio vulnificus Sepsis

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Eun Kim ◽  
Hee Kyung Kim ◽  
Su-Mi Choi ◽  
Yohan Yu ◽  
Uh Jin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Vibrio Vulnificus ◽  
Antibiotic Regimen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Kill

ABSTRACT The mortality rate associated with Vibrio vulnificus sepsis remains high. An in vitro time-kill assay revealed synergism between tigecycline and ciprofloxacin. The survival rate was significantly higher in mice treated with tigecycline plus ciprofloxacin than in mice treated with cefotaxime plus minocycline. Thus, combination treatment with tigecycline-ciprofloxacin may be an effective novel antibiotic regimen for V. vulnificus sepsis.

scholarly journals ZN148 Is a Modular Synthetic Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitor That Reverses Carbapenem Resistance in Gram-Negative Pathogens In Vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ørjan Samuelsen ◽  
Ove Alexander Høgmoen Åstrand ◽  
Christopher Fröhlich ◽  
Adam Heikal ◽  
Susann Skagseth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Carbapenem Resistance ◽  
Functional Space ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens are a critical public health threat and there is an urgent need for new treatments. Carbapenemases (β-lactamases able to inactivate carbapenems) have been identified in both serine β-lactamase (SBL) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) families. The recent introduction of SBL carbapenemase inhibitors has provided alternative therapeutic options. Unfortunately, there are no approved inhibitors of MBL-mediated carbapenem-resistance and treatment options for infections caused by MBL-producing Gram-negatives are limited. Here, we present ZN148, a zinc-chelating MBL-inhibitor capable of restoring the bactericidal effect of meropenem and in vitro clinical susceptibility to carbapenems in >98% of a large international collection of MBL-producing clinical Enterobacterales strains (n = 234). Moreover, ZN148 was able to potentiate the effect of meropenem against NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a murine neutropenic peritonitis model. ZN148 showed no inhibition of the human zinc-containing enzyme glyoxylase II at 500 μM, and no acute toxicity was observed in an in vivo mouse model with cumulative dosages up to 128 mg/kg. Biochemical analysis showed a time-dependent inhibition of MBLs by ZN148 and removal of zinc ions from the active site. Addition of exogenous zinc after ZN148 exposure only restored MBL activity by ∼30%, suggesting an irreversible mechanism of inhibition. Mass-spectrometry and molecular modeling indicated potential oxidation of the active site Cys221 residue. Overall, these results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of a ZN148-carbapenem combination against MBL-producing Gram-negative pathogens and that ZN148 is a highly promising MBL inhibitor that is capable of operating in a functional space not presently filled by any clinically approved compound.

scholarly journals Arsenic Directly Binds to and Activates the Yeast AP-1-Like Transcription Factor Yap8

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 913-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nallani Vijay Kumar ◽  
Jianbo Yang ◽  
Jitesh K. Pillai ◽  
Swati Rawat ◽  
Carlos Solano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Yeast Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arsenic Tolerance ◽  
Arsenic Sensing

The AP-1-like transcription factor Yap8 is critical for arsenic tolerance in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the mechanism by which Yap8 senses the presence of arsenic and activates transcription of detoxification genes is unknown. Here we demonstrate that Yap8 directly binds to trivalent arsenite [As(III)]in vitroandin vivoand that approximately one As(III) molecule is bound per molecule of Yap8. As(III) is coordinated by three sulfur atoms in purified Yap8, and our genetic and biochemical data identify the cysteine residues that form the binding site as Cys132, Cys137, and Cys274. As(III) binding by Yap8 does not require an additional yeast protein, and Yap8 is regulated neither at the level of localization nor at the level of DNA binding. Instead, our data are consistent with a model in which a DNA-bound form of Yap8 acts directly as an As(III) sensor. Binding of As(III) to Yap8 triggers a conformational change that in turn brings about a transcriptional response. Thus, As(III) binding to Yap8 acts as a molecular switch that converts inactive Yap8 into an active transcriptional regulator. This is the first report to demonstrate how a eukaryotic protein couples arsenic sensing to transcriptional activation.

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