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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 38.

Azole Affinity of Sterol 14α-Demethylase (CYP51) Enzymes from Candida albicans and Homo sapiens.
Abstract Candida albicans (CaCYP51, Erg11), full-length Homo sapiens CYP51 (HsCYP51), and truncated Δ60HsCYP51 were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. CaCYP51 and both HsCYP51 enzymes bound lanosterol (K(s) 14 to 18 μM) and catalysed the 14α-demethylation of lanosterol using Homo sapiens cytochrome P450 reductase and NADPH as redox partners. Both HsCYP51 enzymes bound clotrimazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole tightly (K(d) 42 to 131 nM) but bound fluconazole (K(d) ∼30500 nM) and voriconazole (K(d) ∼2300 nM) weakly, whereas CaCYP51 bound all five medical azole drugs tightly (K(d) 10 ...
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Warrilow AG, Parker JE, Kelly DE, Kelly SL Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: research

The effect of hexose ratios on metabolite production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains obtained from the spontaneous fermentation of mezcal.
In this study eight Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates obtained at the final stage of fermentation from a traditional mezcal winery were analysed in three semi-synthetic media. Medium M1 had a sugar content of 100 g l(-1) and a glucose/fructose (G/F) of 9:1. Medium M2 had a sugar content of 100 g l(-1) and a G/F of 1:9. Medium M3 had a sugar content of 200 g l(-1) and a G/F of 1:1. In the three types of media tested, the highest ethanol yield was obtained from the glucophilic strain LCBG-3Y5, while strain LCBG-3Y8 was highly resistant to ethanol and the most fructophilic of the mezcal strains. Strain LCBG-3Y5 produced...
Source: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Oliva Hernández AA, Taillandier P, Reséndez Pérez D, Narváez Zapata JA, Larralde Corona CP Tags: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek Source Type: research

Oceanicola litoreus sp. nov., an alphaproteobacterium isolated from the seashore sediment.
Abstract A Gram-negative, non-motile, facultatively aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M-M22(T), was isolated from seashore sediment on the southern coast in Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain M-M22(T) was observed to grow optimally at pH 7.0-7.5, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M-M22(T) fell within the clade comprising the type strains of Oceanicola species, except Oceanicola granulosus. Strain M-M22(T) exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene...
Source: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Park S, Lee MH, Yoon JH Tags: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek Source Type: research

Lactobacillus ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., isolated from kimchi with the ability to transform ginsenosides.
Abstract Biotransformation of ginsenosides was examined using lactic acid bacteria isolated from several kinds of kimchi. A Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and rod-shaped lactic acid bacterial strain, designated EMML 3041(T), was determined to have ginsenoside-converting activity and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain EMML 3041(T) displayed β-glucosidase activity that was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb(1) (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) to F(2) via gypenoside XVII, ginsenoside Rb(2) to compou...
Source: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jung HM, Liu QM, Kim JK, Lee ST, Kim SC, Im WT Tags: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek Source Type: research

A low molecular mass cutinase of Thielavia terrestris efficiently hydrolyzes poly(esters).
Abstract A low molecular mass cutinase (designated TtcutA) from Thielavia terrestris was purified and biochemically characterized. The thermophilic fungus T. terrestris CAU709 secreted a highly active cutinase (90.4 U ml(-1)) in fermentation broth containing wheat bran as the carbon source. The cutinase was purified 19-fold with a recovery yield of 4.8 %. The molecular mass of the purified TtcutA was determined as 25.3 and 22.8 kDa using SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, respectively. TtcutA displayed optimal activity at pH 4.0 and 50 °C. It was highly stable up to 65 °C and in the broad pH range 2.5-10.5. Extreme...
Source: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Yang S, Xu H, Yan Q, Liu Y, Zhou P, Jiang Z Tags: J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Molecular Characterization of Wolbachia Strains Associated with the Invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri in Brazil.
Abstract Wolbachia is a symbiont intensively studied due to its ability to interfere with their host's reproduction, and it has been recently proposed as an alternative tool to control insect pests or vectors of diseases. The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is an important pest of citrus since it vectors the bacterium that causes the "Huanglongbing" disease in citrus. The frequency and diversity of Wolbachia associated with D. citri is unknown, limiting the utilization of Wolbachia as an alternative strategy for insect management. Thus, we aimed to determine the natural rate of infection, to characterize the ...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Guidolin AS, Cônsoli FL Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

Intra- and Intergenomic Variation of Ribosomal RNA Operons in Concurrent Alteromonas macleodii Strains.
Abstract Biodiversity estimates based on ribosomal operon sequence diversity rely on the premise that a sequence is characteristic of a single specific taxon or operational taxonomic unit (OTU). Here, we have studied the sequence diversity of 14 ribosomal RNA operons (rrn) contained in the genomes of two isolates (five operons in each genome) and four metagenomic fosmids, all from the same seawater sample. Complete sequencing of the isolate genomes and the fosmids establish that they represent strains of the same species, Alteromonas macleodii, with average nucleotide identity (ANI) values >97 %. Nonetheless, w...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: López-Pérez M, Gonzaga A, Martin-Cuadrado AB, López-García P, Rodriguez-Valera F, Kimes NE Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

23S rRNA Gene-Based Enterococci Community Signatures in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA, Following Urban Runoff Inputs After Hurricane Katrina.
This study employed a 23S rRNA gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with newly designed genus-specific primers, Ent127F-Ent907R, to determine the possible impacts of Hurricane Katrina floodwaters via the 17th Street Canal discharge on the community structure of enterococci in Lake Pontchartrain. A total of 94 phylotypes were identified through the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) screening of 494 clones while only 8 phylotypes occurred among 88 cultivated isolates. Sequence analyses of representative phylotypes and their temporal and spatial distribution in the lake and the canal indicated the Ka...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bae HS, Hou A Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

Temporal Patterns of Ascospore Release in Leptosphaeria maculans Vary Depending on Geographic Region and Time of Observation.
Abstract Diurnal patterns of spore release have been observed in a number of fungal pathogens that undergo wind-assisted dispersal. The mechanisms that drive these patterns, while not well understood, are thought to relate to the ability of dispersing spores to survive their journey and infect new hosts. In this paper, we characterise the diurnal pattern of ascospore release by a Western Australian population of Leptosphaeria maculans. Although L. maculans has been previously shown to exhibit diurnal patterns of ascospore release, these patterns appear to vary from region to region. In order to characterise the pat...
Source: Microbial Ecology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Savage D, Barbetti MJ, Macleod WJ, Salam MU, Renton M Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

Enhanced aerobic granulation and nitrogen removal by the addition of zeolite powder in a sequencing batch reactor.
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of zeolite powders on feasibility of rapid aerobic granulation in the column-type sequencing batch reactors. After 90 days' operation, aerobic granular sludge was formed in both reactors by altering influent chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen (COD/N) ratios. R1 with zeolite powders had better removal capabilities of COD and total nitrogen than R2, which was without zeolite powders. Mixed liquor volatile suspended solid concentrations of the two reactors were 7.36 and 5.45 g/L, while sludge volume index (SVI(30)) values were 34.9 and 47.9 mg/L, respectively. ...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Wei D, Xue X, Chen S, Zhang Y, Yan L, Wei Q, Du B Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

What do we know about the yeast strains from the Brazilian fuel ethanol industry?
Abstract The production of fuel ethanol from sugarcane-based raw materials in Brazil is a successful example of a large-scale bioprocess that delivers an advanced biofuel at competitive prices and low environmental impact. Two to three fed-batch fermentations per day, with acid treatment of the yeast cream between consecutive cycles, during 6-8 months of uninterrupted production in a nonaseptic environment are some of the features that make the Brazilian process quite peculiar. Along the past decades, some wild Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were isolated, identified, characterized, and eventually, reintroduced ...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Della-Bianca BE, Basso TO, Stambuk BU, Basso LC, Gombert AK Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Induction of gene expression in bacteria at optimal growth temperatures.
Abstract Traditional temperature-sensitive systems use either heat shock (40-42 °C) or cold shock (15-23 °C) to induce gene expression at temperatures that are not the optimal temperature for host cell growth (37 °C). This impacts the overall productivity and yield by disturbing cell growth and cellular metabolism. Here, we have developed a new system which controls gene expression in Escherichia coli at more permissive temperatures. The temperature-sensitive cI857-P (L) system and the classic lacI-P ( lacO ) system were connected in series to control the gene of interest. When th...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jiang X, Zhang H, Yang J, Liu M, Feng H, Liu X, Cao Y, Feng D, Xian M Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Reduction of palladium and production of nano-catalyst by Geobacter sulfurreducens.
Abstract The present study is the first report on the ability of Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA to reduce Pd(II) and produce Pd(0) nano-catalyst, using acetate as electron donor at neutral pH (7.0 ± 0.1) and 30 °C. The microbial production of Pd(0) nanoparticles (NPs) was greatly enhanced by the presence of the redox mediator, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) when compared with controls lacking AQDS and cell-free controls. A cell dry weight (CDW) concentration of 800 mg/L provided a larger surface area for Pd(0) NPs deposition than a CDW concentration of 400 mg/L. Sample analysis by transmission electron...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Pat-Espadas AM, Razo-Flores E, Rangel-Mendez JR, Cervantes FJ Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Radiation-resistant extremophiles and their potential in biotechnology and therapeutics.
This article aims to review the strategies by which microorganisms thrive in extreme radiation environments and discuss their potential uses in biotechnology and the therapeutic industry. The major challenges that lie ahead are also discussed. PMID: 23271672 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gabani P, Singh OV Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Quantitative analysis of growth and volatile fatty acid production by the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii T81.
Abstract Megasphaera elsdenii T81 grew on either DL-lactate or D-glucose at similar rates (0.85 h(-1)) but displayed major differences in the fermentation of these substrates. Lactate was fermented at up to 210-mM concentration to yield acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids. The bacterium was able to grow at much higher concentrations of D-glucose (500 mM), but never removed more than 80 mM of glucose from the medium, and nearly 60 % the glucose removed was sequestered as intracellular glycogen, with low yields of even-carbon acids (acetate, butyrate, caproate). In the presence of both substrates, gluco...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Weimer PJ, Moen GN Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Molecular investigation on carbapenems resistance among multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolated in Thailand
Abstract Carbapenems resistance among multidrug resistant (CR‐MDR) P. aeruginosa were isolated from tertiary hospitals in Thailand. Decreased expression of oprD mRNA (93.65%) was predominant followed by increased expression of mexAB‐oprM mRNA (92.06%) and mexXY mRNA (63.49%). Interestingly, there were 23 out of 126 (18.25%) isolates which were susceptible to imipenem with down‐regulated oprD expression and non‐up‐regulated mexCD‐oprJ mRNA expression. Metallo‐β‐lactamases production was clearly positive in 24 isolates (18.46%) and weakly positive in 12 isolates (9.23%). Among both of them, imp‐1, imp‐14...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Piyatip Khuntayaporn, Preecha Montakantikul, Pitak Santanirand, Pattarachai Kiratisin, Mullika Traidej Chomnawang Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Interferon gamma production and Stat1 signaling
In this study, we examined the role of activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 1 phosphorylation with A. phagocytophilum infection, and found it to be markedly increased at day 7 post infection compared to mock‐infected controls. This increase in phosphorylated Stat1 (pStat1) was significantly correlated with IFN‐γ production and inflammatory tissue injury. Since pStat1 operates as a transcription factor central to the generation of effectors of inflammatory injury, these data suggest that Stat1 signaling is involved in IFN‐γ‐mediated immunopathologic lesions and disease in A. phagoc...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Kyoung‐Seong Choi, J. Stephen Dumler Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Accumulation of MHC class II+ CD11c− non‐lymphoid cells in the spleen during infection with Plasmodium yoelii is lymphocyte‐dependent
This study revealed a novel interaction between MHC II+CD11c− non‐lymphoid cells and lymphoid cells in the accumulation of these non‐lymphoid cells in the spleen during infection with P. yoelii.
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Rika Kamei, Mana Miyakoda, Takahiko Tamura, Daisuke Kimura, Kiri Honma, Kazumi Kimura, Katsuyuki Yui Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Genomic polymorphisms in 3β‐hydroxysterol Δ24‐reductase promoter sequences
Abstract We recently reported that 3β‐hydroxysterol Δ24‐reductase (DHCR24) is induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In addition, upregulation of DHCR24 impaired p53 activity. In human hepatoma HuH‐7 cells, level of DHCR24 expression was higher than normal hepatic cell lines (WRL68) at transcriptional level. The genomic promoter sequence of DHCR24 was characterized and nucleotide substitution were observed in HuH‐7 cells at nucleotide number –1453; G to A, –1420, G to T, –488, A to C, and –200 G to C. The mutations of these sequences from HuH‐7 cell types to WRL68 cell types suppressed DHCR24 gen...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nagla Elwy Salem, Makoto Saito, Yuri Kasama, Makoto Ozawa, Toshiko Kawabata, Shinji Harada, Hiroko Suda, Katsuhiro Asonuma, Ahmed El‐Gohary, Kyoko Tsukiyama‐Kohara Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

HLA‐DRB1 and HLA–DQB1 genes and allergic broncopulmonary aspergillosis susceptibility and protection in patients with cystic fibrosis
Abstract Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease that affects patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthmatic patients. Indeed, HLA‐DRB1 alleles have previously been associated with ABPA‐CF susceptibility although HLA‐DQB1 allele associations were not clearly established. Our aim was to study HLA class II associations in our ABPA‐CF patients and determine their role in susceptibility or protection. Patients with ABPA‐CF, CF patients without ABPA, asthmatic patients without ABPA (AST) and healthy controls were included in this study. DNA was extracted by automatic extract...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Manuel Muro, Pedro Mondejar‐López, María Rosa Moya‐Quiles, Gema Salgado, María Dolores Pastor‐Vivero, Ruth Lopez‐Hernandez, Francisco Boix, José Antonio Campillo, Alfredo Minguela, Ana Garcia‐Alonso, Manuel Sánchez‐Solís, María Rocío � Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Interleukin‐8 and CXCL10 expressions in oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts via Toll‐like receptors
Abstract Oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts may be the first line of host defense against oral microorganisms. Here, we tested the hypothesis that oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts recognize microbial components via Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and participate in development of oral inflammation. Our results showed that immortalized oral keratinocytes (RT7), fibroblasts (GT1) and primary cells expressed mRNA of TLRs 1‐10. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) production from RT7 cells was induced by treatment with TLR1‐9 except for TLR7 agonist, while, GT1 cells were induced to produce IL‐8 by all TLR agonists tested except for ...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Akiko Fukui, Kouji Ohta, Hiromi Nishi, Hideo Shigeishi, Kei Tobiume, Masaaki Takechi, Nobuyuki Kamata Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Identifying the effective concentration for spatial repellency of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti
This study reports initial findings from air sampling experiments conducted under field conditions to describe the relationship between air concentrations of two repellent chemicals and deterrent behavior in the dengue vector, Aedes aegypt. Image: Experimental hut evaluations were used to determine the effective air concentration for spatial repellent mosquito responses.
Source: Parasites and Vectors - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nicole AcheePenny MasuokaPhilip SmithNicholas MartinTheeraphap ChareonviryiphapSuppaluck PolsomboonJoko HendartoJohn Grieco Source Type: research

Zoonotic pathogens associated with Hyalomma aegyptium in endangered tortoises: evidence for host-switching behaviour in ticks?
This is a report of three important zoonotic pathogens found in ticks feeding on Testudo graeca tortoises bringing new indirect proof for transstadial transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Image: Hyalomma aegyptium females feeding on a tortoise leg.
Source: Parasites and Vectors - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Anamaria PastiuIona MateiAndrei MihalcaGianluca D'AmicoMirabela DumitracheZsuzsa KálmarAttila SándorMenelaos LefkaditisCalin GhermanVasile Cozma Source Type: research

Modeling amyloids in bacteria
An increasing number of proteins are being shown to assemble into amyloid structures, self-seeding fibrillar aggregates that may lead to pathological states or play essential biological functions in organisms. Bacterial cell factories have raised as privileged model systems to understand the mechanisms behind amyloid assembly and the cellular fitness cost associated to the formation of these aggregates. In the near future, these bacterial systems will allow implementing high-throughput screening approaches to identify effective modulators of amyloid aggregation.
Source: Microbial Cell Factories - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Anna Villar-PiquéSalvador Ventura Source Type: research

Whole genome HBV deletion profiles and the accumulation of preS deletion mutant during antiviral treatment
Conclusions: We present the HBV deletion distribution patterns and preS deletion substructures in viral genomes that are prevalent in northern China. The accumulation of preS deletion mutants during nucleos(t)ide analog therapy may be due to viral escape from host immuno-surveillance.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Dake ZhangPeiling DongKe ZhangLibin DengChristian BachWei ChenFeifei LiUlrike ProtzerHuiguo DingChangqing Zeng Source Type: research

Ca2+‐mediated exocytosis of subtilisin‐like protease 1: a key step in egress of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites
Summary Egress of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites from host erythrocytes is a critical step in multiplication of blood‐stage parasites. A cascade of proteolytic events plays a major role in degradation of membranes leading to egress of merozoites. However, the signals that regulate the temporal activation and/or secretion of proteases upon maturation of merozoites in intra‐erythrocytic schizonts remain unclear. Here, we have tested the role of intracellular Ca2+ in regulation of egress of P. falciparum merozoites from schizonts. A sharp rise in intracellular Ca2+ just before egress, observed by time‐lapse video mi...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Shalini Agarwal, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Swati Garg, Chetan E. Chitnis, Shailja Singh Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Statistical analyses of protein sequence alignments identify structures and mechanisms in signal activation of sensor histidine kinases
Summary Statistical analyses of genome sequence‐derived protein sequence data can identify amino acid residues that interact between proteins or between domains of a protein. These statistical methods are based on evolution‐directed amino acid variation responding to structural and functional constraints in proteins. The identified residues form a basis for determining structure and folding of proteins as well as inferring mechanisms of protein function. When applied to two‐component systems, several research groups have shown they can be used to identify the amino acid interactions between response regulators and hi...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Hendrik Szurmant, James A. Hoch Tags: MicroOpinion Source Type: research

TG by SpChiD Improved through Altered Substrate Interactions [Microbiology]
We describe the improvement of transglycosylation (TG) by chitinase D from Serratia proteamaculans (SpChiD). The SpChiD produced a smaller quantity of TG products for up to 90 min with 2 mm chitotetraose as the substrate and subsequently produced only hydrolytic products. Of the five residues targeted at the catalytic center, E159D resulted in substantial loss of both hydrolytic and TG activities. Y160A resulted in a product profile similar to SpChiD and a rapid turnover of substrate with slightly increased TG activity. The rest of the three mutants, M226A, Y228A, and R284A, displayed improved TG and decreased hydrolytic a...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Madhuprakash, J., Tanneeru, K., Purushotham, P., Guruprasad, L., Podile, A. R. Tags: Enzymology Source Type: research

Control of EF-Tu by Hsp33 and Lon [Microbiology]
Intracellular de novo protein folding is assisted by cellular networks of molecular chaperones. In Escherichia coli, cooperation between the chaperones trigger factor (TF) and DnaK is central to this process. Accordingly, the simultaneous deletion of both chaperone-encoding genes leads to severe growth and protein folding defects. Herein, we took advantage of such defective phenotypes to further elucidate the interactions of chaperone networks in vivo. We show that disruption of the TF/DnaK chaperone pathway is efficiently rescued by overexpression of the redox-regulated chaperone Hsp33. Consistent with this observation, t...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Bruel, N., Castanie–Cornet, M.–P., Cirinesi, A.–M., Koningstein, G., Georgopoulos, C., Luirink, J., Genevaux, P. Tags: Protein Structure and Folding Source Type: research

Galactomannan Biosynthesis [Microbiology]
Fungal cell walls frequently contain a polymer of mannose and galactose called galactomannan. In the pathogenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, this polysaccharide is made of a linear mannan backbone with side chains of galactofuran and is anchored to the plasma membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol or is covalently linked to the cell wall. To date, the biosynthesis and significance of this polysaccharide are unknown. The present data demonstrate that deletion of the Golgi UDP-galactofuranose transporter GlfB or the GDP-mannose transporter GmtA leads to the absence of galactofuran or galactomannan, respecti...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Engel, J., Schmalhorst, P. S., Routier, F. H. Tags: Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrices Source Type: research

Structural Requirements for Tethering Function of BST-2 [Microbiology]
BST-2/CD317/tetherin is a host factor that inhibits HIV-1 release and is counteracted by HIV-1 Vpu. Structural studies indicate that the BST-2 ectodomain assumes a coiled-coil conformation. Here we studied the role of the BST-2 ectodomain for tethering function. First, we addressed the importance of the length and structure of the ectodomain by adding or substituting heterologous coiled-coil or non-coiled-coil sequences. We found that extending or replacing the BST-2 ectodomain using non-coiled-coil sequences resulted in loss of BST-2 function. Doubling the size of the BST-2 ectodomain by insertion of a heterologous coiled...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Andrew, A. J., Berndsen, C. E., Kao, S., Strebel, K. Tags: Protein Structure and Folding Source Type: research

Role of Gdh3 in Resistance to Stress-induced Apoptosis [Microbiology]
Glutamate metabolism is linked to a number of fundamental metabolic pathways such as amino acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, glutamate is synthesized from α-ketoglutarate by two NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenases (NADP-GDH) encoded by GDH1 and GDH3. Here, we report the relationship between the function of the NADP-GDH and stress-induced apoptosis. Gdh3-null cells showed accelerated chronological aging and hypersusceptibility to thermal and oxidative stress during stationary phase. Upon exposure to oxidative stress, Gdh3-null strains displayed a ra...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Lee, Y. J., Kim, K. J., Kang, H. Y., Kim, H.-R., Maeng, P. J. Tags: Gene Regulation Source Type: research

Membrane Interactions of ESAT-6 from M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis [Molecular Bases of Disease]
In conclusion, we have demonstrated that MtbESAT-6 possesses a unique membrane-interacting activity that is not found in MsESAT-6 and established the utility of rigorous biochemical approaches in dissecting the virulence of M. tuberculosis.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - December 28, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: De Leon, J., Jiang, G., Ma, Y., Rubin, E., Fortune, S., Sun, J. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during the early months of treatment in rural Zambia: influence of demographic characteristics and social surroundings of patients
Conclusions: The treatment adherence continues to be a significant challenge in rural Zambia. Social supports from spouses and people on ART could facilitate their treatment adherence. This is likely to require attention by ART services in the future, focusing on different social influences on male and female in rural Zambia. In addition, poverty reduction strategies may help to reinforce adherence to ART and could mitigate the influence of HIV infection for poor patients and those who fall into poverty after starting ART.
Source: Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials - December 28, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Yuri SasakiKazuhiro KakimotoChristopher DubeIzukanji SikazweCrispin MoyoGardner SyakantuKenichi KomadaShinsuke MiyanoNaoko IshikawaKiyoshi KitaIchiro Kai Source Type: research

A New Non-Degenerate Primer Pair for the Specific Detection of the Nitrite Reductase Gene nrfA in the Genus Desulfovibrio
J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2012;22:345–351 (DOI:10.1159/000345768)
Source: Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Prediction, Microarray and Northern Blot Analyses Identify New Intergenic Small RNAs in Aliivibrio salmonicida
J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2012;22:352–360 (DOI:10.1159/000345769)
Source: Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Gluconacetobacter maltaceti sp. nov., a novel vinegar producing acetic acid bacterium.
Abstract Comparison of HaeIII- and HpaII-restriction profiles of PCR-amplified 16S-23S rDNA ITS regions of Gluconacetobacter sp. LMG 1529(T) and SKU 1109 with restriction profiles of reference strains of acetic acid bacteria described by Trček and Teuber [34] revealed the same but unique restriction profiles for LMG 1529(T) and SKU 1109. Further analyses of nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, nearly complete 16S-23S rDNA ITS sequences, as well as concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genes dnaK, groEL and rpoB, allocated both strains to a single phylogenetic cluster well separated from the other ...
Source: Systematic and Applied Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Slapšak N, Cleenwerck I, De Vos P, Trček J Tags: Syst Appl Microbiol Source Type: research

Exploring the immune response of porcine mesenteric lymph nodes to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium: an analysis of transcriptional changes, morphological alterations and pathogen burden.
Abstract Infections caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) cause important economic problems in the swine industry and threaten the integrity of a safe and healthy food supply. Controlling the prevalence of Salmonella in pig production requires a thorough knowledge of the response processes that occurs in the gut associated immune tissues. To explore the in vivo porcine response to S. typhimurium, MLN samples from four control pigs and twelve infected animals at 1, 2 and 6 days post infection (dpi) were collected to quantify the mRNA expression of gene coding for 42 innate immune-related...
Source: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. - December 27, 2012 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Martins RP, Collado-Romero M, Arce C, Lucena C, Carvajal A, Garrido JJ Tags: Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis Source Type: research

Geodermatophilus saharensis sp. nov., isolated from sand of the Saharan desert in Chad.
Abstract A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF5/5, was isolated from soil in the Sahara desert, Chad. It grew best at 20-35 °C and at pH 6.0-8.0 and with 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl, forming black-colored colonies. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G + C content was 75.9 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; galactose and xylose were detected as diagnostic sugars. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol; MK-9(H(4)) was th...
Source: Archives of Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Montero-Calasanz MC, Göker M, Pötter G, Rohde M, Spröer C, Schumann P, Gorbushina AA, Klenk HP Tags: Arch Microbiol Source Type: research

Biocatalytic potential of laccase-like multicopper oxidases from Aspergillus niger
Conclusions: The A. niger McoA, McoB, and McoG enzymes showed clearly different catalytic properties. Yellow McoB showed broad substrate specificity, catalyzing the oxidation of several phenolic compounds commonly present in different industrial effluents. It also harbored high decolorization and detoxification activity with the synthetic dye malachite green, showing to have an interesting potential as a new industrial biocatalyst.
Source: Microbial Cell Factories - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Juan Tamayo-RamosWillem BerkelLeo Graaff Source Type: research

Identification of a novel Getah virus by Virus-Discovery-cDNA random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
Conclusions: The VIDISCR method was able to identify known virus isolates and a novel isolate of Getah virus from infected mice. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the YN08 isolate was more closely related to the Hebei HB0234 strain than the YN0540 strain, and more genetically distinct from the MM2021 Malaysia primitive strain.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Tingsong HuYing ZhengYan ZhangGangshan LiWei QiuJing YuQinghua CuiYiyin WangCaoxiong ZhangXiaofang ZhouZiliang FengWeiguo ZhouQuanshui FanFuqiang Zhang Source Type: research

PyroTRF-ID: a novel bioinformatics methodology for the affiliation of terminal-restriction fragments using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing data
Conclusions: PyroTRF-ID profits from complementary advantages of pyrosequencing and T-RFLP and is particularly adapted for optimizing laboratory and computational efforts to describe microbial communities and their dynamics in any biological system. The high resolution of the microbial community composition is provided by pyrosequencing, which can be performed on a restricted set of selected samples, whereas T-RFLP enables simultaneous fingerprinting of numerous samples at relatively low cost and is especially adapted for routine analysis and follow-up of microbial communities on the long run.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: David WeissbrodtNoam ShaniLucas SinclairGrégory LefebvrePierre RossiJulien MaillardJacques RougemontChristof Holliger Source Type: research

Cloning, expression and decoding of the cold adaptation of a new widely represented thermolabile subtilisin‐like protease
ConclusionsA new thermolabile subtilisin‐like protease has been successfully cloned and analysed, and an important hot spot in the evolution of the cold adaptation and substrate specificity of this enzyme was identified and tested. Significance and Impact of the StudyThis work reports a new cold‐adapted protease with a vast representation amongst Antarctic genus, suggesting therefore its evolutionary success in this cold environment. Likewise, important sites for genetic potentiation have been identified, which are extrapolated to other enzymes of the same kind.
Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: J.P. Acevedo, V. Rodriguez, M. Saavedra, M. Muñoz, O. Salazar, J.A. Asenjo, B.A. Andrews Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Responses of community structure of amoA‐encoding archaea and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria in ammonia biofilter with rockwool mixtures to the gradual increases in ammonium and nitrate
ConclusionsThe specific FA in circulation water seems to be the important factor, which relates to the AOB and AEA community shifts in the biofilter besides ammonium and pH. Significance and Impact of the StudyOne of the key factors for regulating AEA and AOB communities was proposed that is useful for optimizing biofiltration technology.
Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: T. Yasuda, M. Waki, K. Kuroda, D. Hanajima, Y. Fukumoto, T. Yamagishi, Y. Suwa, K. Suzuki Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Recovery balance: a method for estimating losses in a Bacillus anthracis spore sampling protocol
ConclusionsThe approach used in this study pointed out the need for a closer analysis of the complex interaction between spores and wipe material because a substantial percentage of spores were lost to the wipe. Significance and Impact of the StudyThe recovery balance, in association with independent controls, provides an account for error contribution and potential variability on each step of the sampling protocol. The approach is not meant to be a replacement for field or laboratory validation of wipe recoveries but promote the development of new collection methodologies and support protocol optimization in laboratory settings.
Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: S.M. Da Silva, A.A. Urbas, J.J. Filliben, J.B. Morrow Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Study of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant micro‐organisms isolated in cold rooms used for pharmaceutical processing
ConclusionsPsychrophilic micro‐organisms were not detected and those considered to be psychrotolerant were only found in low numbers. Pyschrotolerant organisms were recovered under both low temperature incubation conditions and under standard conditions (between 20 and 35°C). Further evaluation may be required, using alternative agar, and microbiologists should regularly review the species recovered to note differences between different environments. Significance and impact of the studyThe study came about from requests made by US and UK regulators concerning the risk of any extremophiles present in pharmaceutical manuf...
Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: T. Sandle, K. Skinner Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Two new Penicillium species Penicillium buchwaldii and Penicillium spathulatum, producing the anticancer compound asperphenamate
Abstract Penicillium buchwaldii sp. nov. (type strain CBS 117181T = IBT 6005T = IMI 30428T) and Penicillium spathulatum sp. nov. (CBS 117192T = IBT 22220T) are described as new species based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Isolates of P. buchwaldii typically have terverticillate conidiophores with echinulate thick‐walled conidia and produce the extrolites asperphenamate, citreoisocoumarin, communesin A and B, asperentin and 5′‐hydroxy‐asperentin. Penicillium spathulatum is unique in having restricted colonies on Czapek yeast agar (CYA) with an olive grey reverse, good growth on CYA supplemented with 5% N...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - December 27, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jens C. Frisvad, Jos Houbraken, Suuske Popma, Robert A. Samson Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!
(Public Library of Science) A collaboration between researchers at the School of Biochemistry and Immunology and the Department of Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin has identified a mechanism by which the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus colonizes our nasal passages. The study, published today in the Open Access journal PLOS Pathogens, shows for the first time that a protein located on the bacterial surface called clumping factor B has high affinity for the skin protein loricrin.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - December 27, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Candida albicans stimulates in vivo differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells toward macrophages by a TLR2 dependent signaling
Summary Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and may play a role in hematopoiesis in response to pathogens during infection. We have previously demonstrated that (i) inactivated yeasts of Candida albicans induce in vitro differentiation of HSPCs toward the myeloid lineage, and (ii) soluble TLR agonists induce in vivo their differentiation toward macrophages. In this work, using an in vivo model of HSPCs transplantation, we report for the first time that HSPCs sense C. albicans in vivo and subsequently are directed to produce macrophages by a TLR2 dependent signaling...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - December 26, 2012 Category: Microbiology Authors: Javier Megías, Victoria Maneu, Pedro Salvador, Daniel Gozalbo, M. Luisa Gil Tags: Research Article Source Type: research