scholarly journals Bacterial Lipoprotein Posttranslational Modifications. New Insights and Opportunities for Antibiotic and Vaccine Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Smithers ◽  
Samir Olatunji ◽  
Martin Caffrey
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
The Past ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Lipoprotein Synthesis ◽  
Covalently Linked ◽  
Novel Antibiotics

Lipoproteins are some of the most abundant proteins in bacteria. With a lipid anchor to the cell membrane, they function as enzymes, inhibitors, transporters, structural proteins, and as virulence factors. Lipoproteins activate the innate immune system and have biotechnological applications. The first lipoprotein was described by Braun and Rehn in 1969. Up until recently, however, work on lipoproteins has been sluggish, in part due to the challenges of handling proteins that are anchored to membranes by covalently linked lipids or are membrane integral. Activity in the area has quickened of late. In the past 5 years, high-resolution structures of the membrane enzymes of the canonical lipoprotein synthesis pathway have been determined, new lipoprotein types have been discovered and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis have been characterized biochemically. This has led to a flurry of activity aimed at developing novel antibiotics targeting these enzymes. In addition, surface exposed bacterial lipoproteins have been utilized as candidate vaccine antigens, and their potential to act as self-adjuvanting antigens is increasingly recognized. A summary of the latest developments in lipoproteins and their synthesis, as well as how this information is being exploited for therapeutic purposes is presented here.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Amino Acid Sequence Variation of the 67–72p Protein and the Structural Pili Proteins of Corynebacterium diphtheriae for their Suitability as Potential Vaccine Antigens

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-246
Author(s):  
KLAUDIA BRODZIK ◽  
KATARZYNA KRYSZTOPA-GRZYBOWSKA ◽  
MACIEJ POLAK ◽  
JAKUB LACH ◽  
DOMINIK STRAPAGIEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Corynebacterium Diphtheriae ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Conserved Regions ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Potential Vaccine

The aim of this study was to identify the potential vaccine antigens in Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains by in silico analysis of the amino acid variation in the 67–72p surface protein that is involved in the colonization and induction of epithelial cell apoptosis in the early stages of infection. The analysis of pili structural proteins involved in bacterial adherence to host cells and related to various types of infections was also performed. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to amplify the genes encoding the 67–72p protein and three pili structural proteins (SpaC, SpaI, SapD) and the products obtained were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of the particular genes were translated into amino acid sequences, which were then matched among all the tested strains using bioinformatics tools. In the last step, the affinity of the tested proteins to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classes I and II, and linear B-cell epitopes was analyzed. The variations in the nucleotide sequence of the 67–72p protein and pili structural proteins among C. diphtheriae strains isolated from various infections were noted. A transposition of the insertion sequence within the gene encoding the SpaC pili structural proteins was also detected. In addition, the bioinformatics analyses enabled the identification of epitopes for B-cells and T-cells in the conserved regions of the proteins, thus, demonstrating that these proteins could be used as antigens in the potential vaccine development. The results identified the most conserved regions in all tested proteins that are exposed on the surface of C. diphtheriae cells.

scholarly journals Contributions of Electron Microscopy to Understand Secretion of Immune Mediators by Human Eosinophils

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana C.N. Melo ◽  
Ann M. Dvorak ◽  
Peter F. Weller
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Cell Secretion ◽  
The Past ◽  
Functional Capabilities ◽  
Immune Mediators ◽  
Transmission Electron

AbstractMechanisms governing secretion of proteins underlie the biologic activities and functions of human eosinophils, leukocytes of the innate immune system, involved in allergic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory responses. In response to varied stimuli, eosinophils are recruited from the circulation into inflammatory foci, where they modulate immune responses through the release of granule-derived products. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the only technique that can clearly identify and distinguish between different modes of cell secretion. In this review, we highlight the advances in understanding mechanisms of eosinophil secretion, based on TEM findings, that have been made over the past years and that have provided unprecedented insights into the functional capabilities of these cells.

scholarly journals Overview of Plant-Derived Vaccine Antigens: Dengue Virus

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravindra B Malabadi ◽  
Advaita Ganguly ◽  
Jaime A Teixeira da Silva ◽  
Archana Parashar ◽  
Mavanur R Suresh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Immune Deficiency Virus ◽  
Dengue Vaccine ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Vaccine Antigens

ABSTRACT - This review highlights the advantages and current status of plant-derived vaccine development with special reference to the dengue virus. There are numerous problems involved in dengue vaccine development, and there is no vaccine against all four dengue serotypes. Dengue vaccine development using traditional approaches has not been satisfactory in terms of inducing neutralizing antibodies. Recently, these issues were addressed by showing a very good response to inducing neutralizing antibodies by plant-derived dengue vaccine antigens. This indicates the feasibility of using plant-derived vaccine antigens as a low-cost method to combat dengue and other infectious diseases. The application of new methods and strategies such as dendritic cell targeting in cancer therapy, severe acute respiratory syndrome, tuberculosis, human immune deficiency virus, and malaria might play an important role. These new methods are more efficient than traditional protocols. It is expected that in the near future, plant-derived vaccine antigens or antibodies will play an important role in the control of human infectious diseases. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

scholarly journals Biocatalysis by Transglutaminases: A Review of Biotechnological Applications

Micromachines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Savoca ◽  
Elisa Tonoli ◽  
Adeola Atobatele ◽  
Elisabetta Verderio
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Catalytic Triad ◽  
Matrix Proteins ◽  
Primary Amines ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
The Past ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Isopeptide Bonds

The biocatalytic activity of transglutaminases (TGs) leads to the synthesis of new covalent isopeptide bonds (crosslinks) between peptide-bound glutamine and lysine residues, but also the transamidation of primary amines to glutamine residues, which ultimately can result into protein polymerisation. Operating with a cysteine/histidine/aspartic acid (Cys/His/Asp) catalytic triad, TGs induce the post-translational modification of proteins at both physiological and pathological conditions (e.g., accumulation of matrices in tissue fibrosis). Because of the disparate biotechnological applications, this large family of protein-remodelling enzymes have stimulated an escalation of interest. In the past 50 years, both mammalian and microbial TGs polymerising activity has been exploited in the food industry for the improvement of aliments’ quality, texture, and nutritive value, other than to enhance the food appearance and increased marketability. At the same time, the ability of TGs to crosslink extracellular matrix proteins, like collagen, as well as synthetic biopolymers, has led to multiple applications in biomedicine, such as the production of biocompatible scaffolds and hydrogels for tissue engineering and drug delivery, or DNA-protein bio-conjugation and antibody functionalisation. Here, we summarise the most recent advances in the field, focusing on the utilisation of TGs-mediated protein multimerisation in biotechnological and bioengineering applications.

scholarly journals Core Protein-Directed Antivirals and Importin β Can Synergistically Disrupt HBV Capsids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Kim ◽  
Lauren Barnes ◽  
Christopher Schlicksup ◽  
Angela Patterson ◽  
Brian Bothner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Nuclear Trafficking ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Viral Lifecycle ◽  
Capsid Stability

ABSTRACTViral structural proteins can have multiple activities. Antivirals that target structural proteins have potential to exhibit multiple antiviral mechanisms. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core protein (Cp) is involved in most stages of the viral lifecycle: it assembles into capsids, packages viral RNA, is a metabolic compartment for reverse transcription, interacts with nuclear trafficking machinery, and disassembles to release the viral genome into the nucleus. During nuclear localization, HBV capsids bind to host importins (e.g. Impβ) via Cp’s C-terminal domain (CTD); the CTD is localized to the interior of the capsid and is transiently exposed on the exterior. We used HAP12 as a representative Cp Allosteric Modulators (CpAMs), a class of antivirals that inappropriately stimulates and misdirects HBV assembly and deforms capsids. CpAM impact on other aspects of the HBV lifecycle is poorly understood. We investigated how HAP12 influenced the interactions between empty or RNA-filled capsids with Impβ and trypsin in vitro. We showed that HAP12 can modulate CTD accessibility and capsid stability, depending on the saturation of HAP12-binding sites. We demonstrated that Impβ synergistically contributes to capsid disruption at high levels of HAP12 saturation, using electron microscopy to visualize disruption and rearrangement of Cp dimers into aberrant complexes. However, RNA-filled capsids resisted the destabilizing effects of HAP12 and Impβ. In summary, we show host protein-induced catalysis of capsid disruption, an unexpected additional mechanism of action for CpAMs. Potentially, untimely capsid disassembly can hamper the HBV lifecycle and also cause the virus to become vulnerable to host innate immune responses.IMPORTANCEThe HBV core, an icosahedral complex of 120 copies of the homodimeric core (capsid) protein with or without packaged nucleic acid, is transported to the host nucleus by its interaction with host importin proteins. Importin-core interaction requires the core protein C-terminal domain, which is inside the capsid, to “flip” to the capsid exterior. Core-protein directed drugs that affect capsid assembly and stability have been developed recently. We show that these molecules can, synergistically with importins, disrupt capsids. This mechanism of action, synergism with host protein, has potential to disrupt the virus lifecycle and activate the innate immune system.

Toll-like receptor polymorphisms and susceptibility to human disease

2008 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ann Misch ◽  
Thomas R. Hawn
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Cellular Immune ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

Although several lines of evidence suggest that variation in human inflammation is genetically controlled, the genes which regulate these responses are largely unknown. TLRs (Toll-like receptors) mediate recognition of microbes, regulate activation of the innate immune response and influence the formation of adaptive immunity. Cellular and molecular studies over the past several years have identified a number of common TLR polymorphisms that modify the cellular immune response and production of cytokines in vitro. In addition, human genetic studies suggest that some of these polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to a spectrum of diseases. In this review, we summarize studies of common TLR polymorphisms and how this work is beginning to illuminate the influence of human variation on inflammation and disease susceptibility.

RNA sensors as a mechanism of innate immune evasion among SARS-CoV2, HIV and Nipah viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Cicily Kattiparambil Dixon ◽  
Chameli Ratan ◽  
Bhagyalakshmi Nair ◽  
Sabitha Mangalath ◽  
Rachy Abraham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Innate Immune Response ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Type I ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Rna Sensors

: Innate immunity is the first line of defence elicited by the host immune system to fight against invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. From this elementary immune response, the more complex antigen-specific adaptive responses are recruited to provide a long-lasting memory against the pathogens. Innate immunity gets activated when the host cell utilizes a diverse set of receptors known as pattern recognition receptors (PRR) to recognize the viruses that have penetrated the host and respond with cellular processes like complement system, phagocytosis, cytokine release and inflammation and destruction of NK cells. Viral RNA or DNA or viral intermediate products are recognized by receptors like toll-like receptors(TLRs), nucleotide oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) thereby, inducing type I interferon response (IFN) and other proinflammatory cytokines in infected cells or other immune cells. But certain viruses can evade the host innate immune response to replicate efficiently, triggering the spread of the viral infection. The present review describes the similarity in the mechanism chosen by viruses from different families -HIV, SARS-CoV2 and Nipah viruses to evade the innate immune response and how efficiently they establish the infection in the host. The review also addresses the stages of developments of various vaccines against these viral diseases and the challenges encountered by the researchers during vaccine development.

Vaccine Development and Immune Responses in COVID-19: Lessons from the Past

COVID-19 ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 149-185
Author(s):  
Fataneh Fatemi ◽  
Zahra Hassani Nejad ◽  
Seyed Ehsan Ranaei Siadat
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
The Past

scholarly journals Lessons from Bacillus Calmette-Guérin: Harnessing Trained Immunity for Vaccine Development

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2109
Author(s):  
Samuel T. Pasco ◽  
Juan Anguita
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Bacillus Calmette Guerin ◽  
Adaptive Immune Responses ◽  
Trained Immunity ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Potential Methods

Vaccine design traditionally focuses on inducing adaptive immune responses against a sole target pathogen. Considering that many microbes evade innate immune mechanisms to initiate infection, and in light of the discovery of epigenetically mediated innate immune training, the paradigm of vaccine design has the potential to change. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine induces some level of protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) while stimulating trained immunity that correlates with lower mortality and increased protection against unrelated pathogens. This review will explore BCG-induced trained immunity, including the required pathways to establish this phenotype. Additionally, potential methods to improve or expand BCG trained immunity effects through alternative vaccine delivery and formulation methods will be discussed. Finally, advances in new anti-Mtb vaccines, other antimicrobial uses for BCG, and “innate memory-based vaccines” will be examined.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document