The global increase in multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria has led to phage therapy being refocused upon. A novel endolysin, LysPA26, containing a lysozyme-like domain, was screened against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in this study. It had activity against MDR P. aeruginosa without pretreatment with an outer-membrane permeabilizer. LysPA26 could kill up to 4 log units P. aeruginosa in 30 min. In addition, temperature and pH effect assays revealed that LysPA26 had good stability over a broad range of pH and temperatures. Moreover, LysPA26 could kill other Gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli, but not Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, LysPA26 could eliminate P. aeruginosa in biofilm formation. Our current results show that LysPA26 is a new and promising antimicrobial agent for the combat of Gram-negative pathogens.
Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., has recently been recognized as an emerging infectious disease worldwide. Despite its severity and global importance, knowledge about the molecular pathogenesis and virulence evolution of Leptospira spp. remains limited. Here we sequenced and analyzed 102 isolates representing global sources. A high genomic variability were observed among different Leptospira species, which was attributed to massive gene gain and loss events allowing for adaptation to specific niche conditions and changing host environments. Horizontal gene transfer and gene duplication allowed the stepwise acquisition of virulence factors in pathogenic Leptospira evolved from a recent common ancestor. More importantly, the abundant expansion of specific virulence-related protein families, such as metalloproteases-associated paralogs, were exclusively identified in pathogenic species, reflecting the importance of these protein families in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis. Our observations also indicated that positive selection played a crucial role on this bacteria adaptation to hosts. These novel findings may lead to greater understanding of the global diversity and virulence evolution of Leptospira spp.
High-throughput sequencing reveals the complex landscape of small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs). However, it is limited by requiring 5′-monophosphate and 3′-hydroxyl in RNAs for adapter ligation and hindered by methylated nucleosides that interfere with reverse transcription. Here we develop Cap-Clip acid pyrophosphatase (Cap-Clip), T4 polynucleotide kinase (PNK) and AlkB/AlkB(D135S)-facilitated small ncRNA sequencing (CPA-seq) to detect and quantify sRNAs with terminus multiplicities and nucleoside methylations. CPA-seq identified a large number of previously undetected sRNAs. Comparison of sRNAs with or without AlkB/AlkB(D135S) treatment reveals nucleoside methylations on sRNAs. Using CPA-seq, we profiled the sRNA transcriptomes (sRNomes) of nine mouse tissues and reported the extensive tissue-specific differences of sRNAs. We also observed the transition of sRNomes during hepatic reprogramming. Knockdown of mesenchymal stem cell-enriched U1-5′ snsRNA promoted hepatic reprogramming. CPA-seq is a powerful tool with high sensitivity and specificity for profiling sRNAs with methylated nucleosides and diverse termini.
BackgroundIxodes scapularis organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) play important roles in tick-rickettsial pathogen interactions. In this report, we characterized the role of these conserved molecules in ticks infected with either Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi or tick-borne Langat virus (LGTV), a pathogen closely related to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).ResultsQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed no significant changes in oatps gene expression upon infection with B. burgdorferi in unfed ticks. Synchronous infection of unfed nymphal ticks with LGTV in vitro revealed no significant changes in oatps gene expression. However, expression of specific oatps was significantly downregulated upon LGTV infection of tick cells in vitro. Treatment of tick cells with OATP inhibitor significantly reduced LGTV loads, kynurenine amino transferase (kat), a gene involved in the production of tryptophan metabolite xanthurenic acid (XA), levels and expression of several oatps in tick cells. Furthermore, bioinformatics characterization of OATPs from some of the medically important vectors including ticks, mosquitoes and lice revealed the presence of several glycosylation, phosphorylation and myristoylation sites.ConclusionsThis study provides additional evidence on the role of arthropod OATPs in vector-intracellular pathogen interactions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3160-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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