scholarly journals A High-Content Microscopy Screening Identifies New Genes Involved in Cell Width Control in Bacillus subtilis

mSystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitri Juillot ◽  
Charlène Cornilleau ◽  
Nathalie Deboosere ◽  
Cyrille Billaudeau ◽  
Parfait Evouna-Mengue ◽  
...  

Bacterial shape is primarily dictated by the external cell wall, a vital structure that, as such, is the target of countless antibiotics. Our understanding of how bacteria synthesize and maintain this structure is therefore a cardinal question for both basic and applied research.

Author(s):  
Adam Bryant Miller ◽  
Maya Massing-Schaffer ◽  
Sarah Owens ◽  
Mitchell J. Prinstein

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is direct, intentional harm to one’s own body performed without the intent to die. NSSI has a marked developmental onset reaching peak prevalence in adolescence. NSSI is present in the context of multiple psychological disorders and stands alone as a separate phenomenon. Research has accumulated over the past several decades regarding the course of NSSI. While great advances have been made, there remains a distinct need for basic and applied research in the area of NSSI. This chapter reviews prevalence rates, correlates and risk factors, and leading theories of NSSI. Further, it reviews assessment techniques and provides recommendations. Then, it presents the latest evidence-based treatment recommendations and provides a case example. Finally, cutting edge research and the next frontier of research in this area are outlined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruka Sugiura ◽  
Ayumi Nagase ◽  
Sayoko Oiki ◽  
Bunzo Mikami ◽  
Daisuke Watanabe ◽  
...  

Abstract Saprophytic bacteria and plants compete for limited nutrient sources. Bacillus subtilis grows well on steamed soybeans Glycine max to produce the fermented food, natto. Here we focus on bacterial responses in conflict between B. subtilis and G. max. B. subtilis cells maintained high growth rates specifically on non-germinating, dead soybean seeds. On the other hand, viable soybean seeds with germinating capability attenuated the initial growth of B. subtilis. Thus, B. subtilis cells may trigger saprophytic growth in response to the physiological status of G. max. Scanning electron microscope observation indicated that B. subtilis cells on steamed soybeans undergo morphological changes to form apertures, demonstrating cell remodeling during saprophytic growth. Further, transcriptomic analysis of B. subtilis revealed upregulation of the gene cluster, yesOPQR, in colonies growing on steamed soybeans. Recombinant YesO protein, a putative, solute-binding protein for the ATP-binding cassette transporter system, exhibited an affinity for pectin-derived oligosaccharide from plant cell wall. The crystal structure of YesO, in complex with the pectin oligosaccharide, was determined at 1.58 Å resolution. This study expands our knowledge of defensive and offensive strategies in interspecies competition, which may be promising targets for crop protection and fermented food production.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Delisle ◽  
Baptiste Cordier ◽  
Stéphane Audebert ◽  
Matthieu Pophillat ◽  
Caroline Cluzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2017 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-388
Author(s):  
Eugene S. Vysotski

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
V. V. Vainshtok ◽  
N. S. Smirnova ◽  
A. S. Skobel’tsin

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 3871-3876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarit Markovich ◽  
Aya Yekutiel ◽  
Itamar Shalit ◽  
Yona Shadkchan ◽  
Nir Osherov

ABSTRACT The antifungal agent caspofungin (CAS) specifically interferes with glucan synthesis and cell wall formation. To further study the cellular processes affected by CAS, we analyzed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant collection (4,787 individual knockout mutations) to identify new genes affecting susceptibility to the drug. This collection was screened for increased CAS sensitivity (CAS-IS) or increased CAS resistance (CAS-IR). MICs were determined by the broth microdilution method. Disruption of 20 genes led to CAS-IS (four- to eightfold reductions in the MIC). Eleven of the 20 genes are involved in cell wall and membrane function, notably in the protein kinase C (PKC) integrity pathway (MID2, FKS1, SMI1, and BCK1), chitin and mannan biosynthesis (CHS3, CHS4, CHS7, and MNN10), and ergosterol biosynthesis (ERG5 and ERG6). Four of the 20 genes (TPO1, VPS65, VPS25, and CHC1) are involved in vacuole and transport functions, 3 of the 20 genes (CCR4, POP2, and NPL3) are involved in the control of transcription, and 2 of the 20 genes are of unknown function. Disruption of nine additional genes led to CAS-IR (a fourfold increase of MIC). Five of these nine genes (SLG1, ERG3, VRP1, CSG2, and CKA2) are involved in cell wall function and signal transduction, and two of the nine genes (VPS67 and SAC2) are involved in vacuole function. To assess the specificity of susceptibility to CAS, the MICs of amphotericin B, fluconazole, flucytosine, and calcofluor for the strains were tested. Seven of 20 CAS-IS strains (with disruption of FKS1, SMI1, BCK1, CHS4, ERG5, TPO1, and ILM1) and 1 of 9 CAS-IR strains (with disruption of SLG1) demonstrated selective susceptibility to CAS. To further explore the importance of PKC in CAS susceptibility, the activity of the PKC inhibitor staurosporine in combination with CAS was tested against eight Aspergillus clinical isolates by the microdilution assay. Synergistic or synergistic-to-additive activities were found against all eight isolates by use of both MIC and minimum effective concentration endpoints.


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