scholarly journals The Effect of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Serratia marcescens on Aedes aegypti and Its Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Heu ◽  
Ottavia Romoli ◽  
Johan Claes Schönbeck ◽  
Rachel Ajenoe ◽  
Yanouk Epelboin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gene Encoding

Serratia marcescens is a bacterial species widely found in the environment, which very efficiently colonizes mosquitoes. In this study, we isolated a red-pigmented S. marcescens strain from our mosquito colony (called S. marcescens VA). This red pigmentation is caused by the production of prodigiosin, a molecule with antibacterial properties. To investigate the role of prodigiosin on mosquito-S. marcescens interactions, we produced two white mutants of S. marcescens VA by random mutagenesis. Whole genome sequencing and chemical analyses suggest that one mutant has a nonsense mutation in the gene encoding prodigiosin synthase, while the other one is deficient in the production of several types of secondary metabolites including prodigiosin and serratamolide. We used our mutants to investigate how S. marcescens secondary metabolites affect the mosquito and its microbiota. Our in vitro tests indicated that S. marcescens VA inhibits the growth of several mosquito microbiota isolates using a combination of prodigiosin and other secondary metabolites, corroborating published data. This strain requires secondary metabolites other than prodigiosin for its proteolytic and hemolytic activities. In the mosquito, we observed that S. marcescens VA is highly virulent to larvae in a prodigiosin-dependent manner, while its virulence on adults is lower and largely depends on other metabolites.

scholarly journals Direct Evidence That Sunbirds’ Gut Microbiota Degrades Floral Nectar’s Toxic Alkaloids

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohanraj Gunasekaran ◽  
Beny Trabelcy ◽  
Ido Izhaki ◽  
Malka Halpern
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Nicotiana Glauca ◽  
Toxic Alkaloids

Orange-tufted sunbirds (Cinnyris osea) feed on the nectar of the tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) which contains toxic pyridine alkaloids characterized by high concentrations of anabasine and much lower concentrations of nicotine. We aimed at determining whether the gut microbiota of sunbirds harbors bacterial species that enable the birds to cope with these toxic alkaloids. An in vivo experiment that included 12 birds showed that inducing dysbiosis in sunbirds’ guts by the addition of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, significantly reduced the birds’ ability to degrade anabasine (n = 3) compared to control birds (n = 3) with undisturbed microbiota. Sunbirds whose gut bacterial communities were altered by the antibacterial agents and who were fed with added nicotine, also showed a lower percentage of nicotine degradation (n = 3) in their excreta compared to the sunbirds with undisturbed microbiota (n = 3), though this difference was not significant. In an in vitro experiment, we studied the ability of Lactococcus lactis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Chryseobacterium gleum, Kocuria palustris, and Methylorubrum populi that were isolated from sunbirds’ excreta, to degrade anabasine and nicotine. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, we successfully demonstrated, for the first time, the ability of these species to degrade the focal secondary metabolites. Our findings demonstrate the role of gut bacteria in detoxifying toxic secondary metabolites found in the N. glauca nectar. The degradation products may supply the birds with nitrogen which is scarce in nectar-rich diets. These findings support another role of bacteria in mediating the interactions between plants and their pollinators.

scholarly journals PilT and PilU are homohexameric ATPases that coordinate to retract type IVa pili

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Chlebek ◽  
Hannah Q. Hughes ◽  
Aleksandra S. Ratkiewicz ◽  
Rasman Rayyan ◽  
Joseph Che-Yen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Acinetobacter Baylyi ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Almost All

AbstractBacterial type IV pili are critical for diverse biological processes including horizontal gene transfer, surface sensing, biofilm formation, adherence, motility, and virulence. These dynamic appendages extend and retract from the cell surface. In many type IVa pilus systems, extension occurs through the action of an extension ATPase, often called PilB, while optimal retraction requires the action of a retraction ATPase, PilT. Many type IVa systems also encode a homolog of PilT called PilU. However, the function of this protein has remained unclear becausepilUmutants exhibit inconsistent phenotypes among type IV pilus systems and because it is relatively understudied compared to PilT. Here, we study the type IVa competence pilus ofVibrio choleraeas a model system to define the role of PilU. We show that the ATPase activity of PilU is critical for pilus retraction in PilT Walker A and/or Walker B mutants. PilU does not, however, contribute to pilus retraction in ΔpilTstrains. Thus, these data suggest that PilU is abona fideretraction ATPase that supports pilus retraction in a PilT-dependent manner. We also found that a ΔpilUmutant exhibited a reduction in the force of retraction suggesting that PilU is important for generating maximal retraction forces. Additionalin vitroandin vivodata show that PilT and PilU act as independent homo-hexamers that may form a complex to facilitate pilus retraction. Finally, we demonstrate that the role of PilU as a PilT-dependent retraction ATPase is conserved inAcinetobacter baylyi, suggesting that the role of PilU described here may be broadly applicable to other type IVa pilus systems.Author SummaryAlmost all bacterial species use thin surface appendages called pili to interact with their environments. These structures are critical for the virulence of many pathogens and represent one major way that bacteria share DNA with one another, which contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance. To carry out their function, pili dynamically extend and retract from the bacterial surface. Here, we show that retraction of pili in some systems is determined by the combined activity of two motor ATPase proteins.

scholarly journals Activation of mitochondrial TUFM ameliorates metabolic dysregulation through coordinating autophagy induction

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dasol Kim ◽  
Hui-Yun Hwang ◽  
Eun Sun Ji ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
Jong Shin Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
Autophagy Induction ◽  
Transcription Factor Eb ◽  
Mitochondrial Elongation

AbstractDisorders of autophagy, a key regulator of cellular homeostasis, cause a number of human diseases. Due to the role of autophagy in metabolic dysregulation, there is a need to identify autophagy regulators as therapeutic targets. To address this need, we conducted an autophagy phenotype-based screen and identified the natural compound kaempferide (Kaem) as an autophagy enhancer. Kaem promoted autophagy through translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) without MTOR perturbation, suggesting it is safe for administration. Moreover, Kaem accelerated lipid droplet degradation in a lysosomal activity-dependent manner in vitro and ameliorated metabolic dysregulation in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. To elucidate the mechanism underlying Kaem’s biological activity, the target protein was identified via combined drug affinity responsive target stability and LC–MS/MS analyses. Kaem directly interacted with the mitochondrial elongation factor TUFM, and TUFM absence reversed Kaem-induced autophagy and lipid degradation. Kaem also induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) to sequentially promote lysosomal Ca2+ efflux, TFEB translocation and autophagy induction, suggesting a role of TUFM in mtROS regulation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Kaem is a potential therapeutic candidate/chemical tool for treating metabolic dysregulation and reveal a role for TUFM in autophagy for metabolic regulation with lipid overload.

scholarly journals Secreted KIAA1199 promotes the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by mediating hyaluronic acid degradation in an ANXA1-dependent manner

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Guoyu Yin ◽  
Heping Zhao ◽  
Hanzhi Ling ◽  
Zhen Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Collagen Induced Arthritis ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Main Pathway ◽  
First Time

AbstractIn inflamed joints, enhanced hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation is closely related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). KIAA1199 has been identified as a hyaladherin that mediates the intracellular degradation of HA, but its extracellular function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum and synovial levels of secreted KIAA1199 (sKIAA1199) and low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA, MW < 100 kDa) in RA patients were significantly increased, and the positive correlation between them was shown for the first time. Of note, treatment with anti-KIAA1199 mAb effectively alleviated the severity of arthritis and reduced serum LMW-HA levels and cytokine secretion in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. In vitro, sKIAA1199 was shown to mediate exogenous HA degradation by attaching to the cell membrane of RA fibroblast-like synoviosytes (RA FLS). Furthermore, the HA-degrading activity of sKIAA1199 depended largely on its adhesion to the membrane, which was achieved by its G8 domain binding to ANXA1. In vivo, kiaa1199-KO mice exhibited greater resistance to collagen-induced arthritis. Interestingly, this resistance could be partially reversed by intra-articular injection of vectors encoding full-length KIAA1199 instead of G8-deleted KIAA119 mutant, which further confirmed the indispensable role of G8 domain in KIAA1199 involvement in RA pathological processes. Mechanically, the activation of NF-κB by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through PI3K/Akt signaling is suggested to be the main pathway to induce KIAA1199 expression in RA FLS. In conclusion, our study supported the contribution of sKIAA1199 to RA pathogenesis, providing a new therapeutic target for RA by blocking sKIAA1199-mediated HA degradation.

scholarly journals Phaseolin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells and Zebrafish

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
Su-Jung Hwang ◽  
Ye-Seul Song ◽  
Hyo-Jong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Raw 264.7 Cells ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Raw 264.7 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bioactive Constituents

Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentis) is used to treat ulcerative colitis, tumors, and pruritus. Recently, phaseolin, formononetin, matrine, luteolin, and quercetin, through a network pharmacology approach, were tentatively identified as five bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescentis. However, the role of phaseolin (one of the primary components of S. flavescentis) in the direct regulation of inflammation and inflammatory processes is not well known. In this study, the beneficial role of phaseolin against inflammation was explored in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation models of RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish larvae. Phaseolin inhibited LPS-mediated production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), without affecting cell viability. In addition, phaseolin suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, phaseolin reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity as well as macrophage adhesion in vitro and the recruitment of leukocytes in vivo by downregulating Ninjurin 1 (Ninj1), an adhesion molecule. Finally, phaseolin inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In view of the above, our results suggest that phaseolin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the management of inflammation.

Antibacterial properties in-vitro of Mexican serviceberry extracts against dental biofilm species

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Erika-Alejandra Salinas-Peña ◽  
Martha Mendoza-Rodríguez ◽  
Claudia Velázquez-González ◽  
Carlo Eduardo Medina-Solis ◽  
América Patricia Pontigo-Loyola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Fusobacterium Nucleatum ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Periodontal Pathogens ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Dental Biofilm ◽  
Biofilm Bacteria

BACKGROUND: The Mexican serviceberry, Malacomeles denticulata, have been used as a successful oral therapy by Mexican communities without enough scientific support. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the M. denticulata extracts with selective antibacterial properties over dental biofilm bacteria. METHODS: Fruit, Leaf, and Stem of M. denticulata extracts were evaluated with micro-broth dilution method using ATCC bacteria. OD600 values had compared against each positive control (T-student-test). Anaerobically viability had confirmed by Colony-Forming-Units. Thin-Layer-Chromatography was used to identify the number of compounds and phytochemicals to identify secondary metabolites of the selected extracts. RESULTS: Streptococcus mutans showed Minimum-Bactericidal-Concentrations_(MBC) at 30 mg/mL to Fruit, Leaf, and Stem extracts. Periodontal-pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype b_(MBC = 30 mg/mL_p <  0.01); Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum_(MBC = 30 mg/mL_p<0.001); Parvimonas micra_(MBC = 15 mg/mL_NS); Porphyromonas gingivalis_(MBC = 30 mg/mL_NS); and Prevotella intermedia_(MBC = 3.75 mg/mL_NS) presented higher sensitivity to Leaf-Methanol, than the primary colonizers. Phytochemicals showed positive results to anthraquinones, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, saponins steroids/triterpenoids, steroids/triterpenes, and tannins/phenols. CONCLUSION: We suggest the natural extracts of fruit and leaf of the Mexican serviceberry for the preventive use over the oral cariogenic or periodontal biofilm species, by their selective antibacterial properties against pathogenic species evaluated in-vitro, and due to the presence of antibacterial secondary metabolites identified as flavonoids and saponins of M. denticulata leaf extracts.

scholarly journals PapRIV, a BV-2 microglial cell activating quorum sensing peptide

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yorick Janssens ◽  
Nathan Debunne ◽  
Anton De Spiegeleer ◽  
Evelien Wynendaele ◽  
Marta Planas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Gastro Intestinal Tract

AbstractQuorum sensing peptides (QSPs) are bacterial peptides produced by Gram-positive bacteria to communicate with their peers in a cell-density dependent manner. These peptides do not only act as interbacterial communication signals, but can also have effects on the host. Compelling evidence demonstrates the presence of a gut-brain axis and more specifically, the role of the gut microbiota in microglial functioning. The aim of this study is to investigate microglial activating properties of a selected QSP (PapRIV) which is produced by Bacillus cereus species. PapRIV showed in vitro activating properties of BV-2 microglia cells and was able to cross the in vitro Caco-2 cell model and reach the brain. In vivo peptide presence was also demonstrated in mouse plasma. The peptide caused induction of IL-6, TNFα and ROS expression and increased the fraction of ameboid BV-2 microglia cells in an NF-κB dependent manner. Different metabolites were identified in serum, of which the main metabolite still remained active. PapRIV is thus able to cross the gastro-intestinal tract and the blood–brain barrier and shows in vitro activating properties in BV-2 microglia cells, hereby indicating a potential role of this quorum sensing peptide in gut-brain interaction.

scholarly journals Novel Insights on the Role of Nitric Oxide in the Ovary: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 980
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Budani ◽  
Gian Mario Tiboni
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Peripheral Neurons ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Oocyte Meiotic Maturation

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed during the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline by the action of multiple isoenzymes of NO synthase (NOS): neuronal NOS (nNOS), endotelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). NO plays a relevant role in the vascular endothelium, in central and peripheral neurons, and in immunity and inflammatory systems. In addition, several authors showed a consistent contribution of NO to different aspects of the reproductive physiology. The aim of the present review is to analyse the published data on the role of NO within the ovary. It has been demonstrated that the multiple isoenzymes of NOS are expressed and localized in the ovary of different species. More to the point, a consistent role was ascribed to NO in the processes of steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and oocyte meiotic maturation in in vitro and in vivo studies using animal models. Unfortunately, there are few nitric oxide data for humans; there are preliminary data on the implication of nitric oxide for oocyte/embryo quality and in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) parameters. NO plays a remarkable role in the ovary, but more investigation is needed, in particular in the context of human ovarian physiology.

scholarly journals Lumican Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing Akt Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4717
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Lee ◽  
Da-Ae Kim ◽  
Eun-Young Kim ◽  
Eun-Ju Chang ◽  
So-Jeong Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Resorption ◽  
Bone Formation ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Osteoclast Differentiation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Resorptive Activity

Lumican, a ubiquitously expressed small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has been utilized in diverse biological functions. Recent experiments demonstrated that lumican stimulates preosteoblast viability and differentiation, leading to bone formation. To further understand the role of lumican in bone metabolism, we investigated its effects on osteoclast biology. Lumican inhibited both osteoclast differentiation and in vitro bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this, lumican markedly decreased the expression of osteoclastogenesis markers. Moreover, the migration and fusion of preosteoclasts and the resorptive activity per osteoclast were significantly reduced in the presence of lumican, indicating that this protein affects most stages of osteoclastogenesis. Among RANKL-dependent pathways, lumican inhibited Akt but not MAP kinases such as JNK, p38, and ERK. Importantly, co-treatment with an Akt activator almost completely reversed the effect of lumican on osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, our findings revealed that lumican inhibits osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Akt activity. Thus, lumican plays an osteoprotective role by simultaneously increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption, suggesting that it represents a dual-action therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Platelet Glycoprotein Receptor IIIa Polymorphism PlA1/PlA2 and Coronary Risk: a Meta-Analysis

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (04) ◽  
pp. 626-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Di Castelnuovo ◽  
Giovanni de Gaetano ◽  
Maria Benedetta Donati ◽  
Licia Iacoviello
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Platelet Glycoprotein ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Coronary Risk ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Glycoprotein Iiia ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Revascularization Procedures

SummaryMembrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa plays a major role in platelet function. The gene encoding the glycoprotein IIIa shows a common polymorphism PlA1/PlA2 that was variably associated with vascular disease. To clarify the role of PlA1/PlA2 polymorphism in coronary risk, a meta-analysis of published data was conducted. Studies were identified both by MEDLINE searches, and hand searching of journals and abstract books.A total of 34 studies for coronary artery disease (CAD), and 6 for restenosis after revascularization were identified, for a total of 9,095 cases and 12,508 controls. In CAD, the overall odds ratio for carriers of the PlA2 allele was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.18), and it was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.38) in subjects younger than 60. Overall odds ratio was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.56) after revascularization procedures.The association of PlA2 status with overall cardiovascular disease in the general population is significant but weak; higher risk has been identified in less heterogeneous subgroups as in the younger cohorts and in the restenosis subset with stents.

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