Antisecretory Factor 16 (AF16): A Promising Avenue for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury-An In Vitro Model Approach.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an external mechanical force to the head, resulting in abnormal brain functioning and clinical manifestations. Antisecretory factor (AF16) is a potential therapeutic agent for TBI treatment due to its ability to inhibit fluid secretion and decrease inflammation, intracranial pressure, and interstitial fluid build-up, key hallmarks presented in TBI. Here, we investigated the effect of AF16 in an in vitro model of neuronal injury, as well as its impact on key components of the autophagy pathway and mitochondrial dynamics.

Expression of Caseicin from Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lacticaseibacillus zeae Provides Insight into Antilisterial Class IIa Bacteriocins.

In this study, an in silico screening approach was employed to mine potential bacteriocin clusters in genome-sequenced isolates of Lacticaseibacillus zeae UD 2202 and Lacticaseibacillus casei UD 1001. Two putative undescribed bacteriocin gene clusters (Cas1 and Cas2) closely related to genes encoding class IIa bacteriocins were identified. No bacteriocin activity was recorded when cell-free supernatants of strains UD 2202 and UD 1001 were tested against Listeria monocytogenes.

Initial Characterization of the Viridisins' Biological Properties.

Viridisin A1 and A2 were previously heterologously expressed, purified, and characterized as ribosomally produced and post-translationally modified lanthipeptides. Such lanthipeptide operons are surprisingly common in Gram-negative bacteria, although their expression seems to be predominantly cryptic under laboratory conditions. However, the bioactivity and biological role of most lanthipeptide operons originating from marine-associated , such as XOM25T, have not been described.

Harnessing Microbial Effectors for Macrophage-Mediated Drug Delivery.

Macrophage-based drug delivery systems are promising, but their development is still in its infancy, with many limitations remaining to be addressed. Our aim was to design a system harnessing microbial effectors to facilitate controlled drug cargo expulsion from macrophages to enable the use of more toxic drugs without adding to the risk of off-target detrimental effects. The pore forming and actin polymerizing effectors listeriolysin-O (LLO) and actin assembly-inducing protein (ActA) were synthesized using a novel green fluorescent protein (GFP)-linked heterologous expression system.

Exposure of Cryptococcus neoformans to low nitrogen levels enhances virulence.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between nitrogen levels and Cryptococcus neoformans pathogenicity. Here we report on the in vivo effects of cryptococcal pre-exposure to ecologically relevant nitrogen levels. C.

Unusual Class I Lanthipeptides from the Marine Bacteria .

A novel class I lanthipeptide produced by the marine bacterium XOM25 was identified using genome mining. The putative lanthipeptides were heterologously coexpressed in as GFP-prepeptide fusions along with the operon-encoded class I lanthipeptide modification machinery VdsCB. The core peptides, VdsA1 and VdsA2, were liberated from GFP using the NisP protease, purified, and analyzed by collision-induced tandem mass spectrometry.

Alterations to microbial secretome by estrogen may contribute to sex bias in irritable bowel syndrome.

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a female predominant functional gastrointestinal disorder, underpinned by microbial dysbiosis and microinflammation. We suggest that changes in trace amine (TA) load and metabolism may link together diet, inflammation and sex in this context.

Methods: The effect of E2 treatment on microbial growth and TA generation was assessed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry methodology.

Manganese Privation-Induced Transcriptional Upregulation of the Class IIa Bacteriocin Plantaricin 423 in Lactobacillus plantarum Strain 423.

Plantaricin 423 is produced by Lactobacillus plantarum 423 using the biosynthetic operon located on the 8,188-bp plasmid pPLA4. As with many class IIa bacteriocin operons, the operon carries biosynthetic genes (, precursor peptide; , immunity; , accessory; and , ABC transporter) but does not carry local regulatory genes. Little is known about the regulatory mechanisms involved in the expression of the apparently regulationless class IIa bacteriocins, such as plantaricin 423.

Therapeutic Application of Lantibiotics and Other Lanthipeptides: Old and New Findings.

Lanthipeptides are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides, with modifications that are incorporated during biosynthesis by dedicated enzymes. Various modifications of the peptides are possible, resulting in a highly diverse group of bioactive peptides that offer a potential reservoir for use in the fight against a plethora of diseases. Their activities range from the antimicrobial properties of lantibiotics, especially against antibiotic-resistant strains, to antiviral activity, immunomodulatory properties, antiallodynic effects, and the potential to alleviate cystic fibrosis symptoms.

Heterologous Expression of the Class IIa Bacteriocins, Plantaricin 423 and Mundticin ST4SA, in Using Green Fluorescent Protein as a Fusion Partner.

The antilisterial class IIa bacteriocins, plantaricin 423 and mundticin ST4SA, have previously been purified from the cell-free supernatants of 423 and ST4SA, respectively. Here, we present the fusions of mature plantaricin 423 and mundticin ST4SA to His-tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP) for respective heterologous expression in . Fusion of plantaricin 423 and mundticin ST4SA to His-tagged GFP produced the fusion proteins GFP-PlaX and GFP-MunX, respectively.

Functional Expression of GFP-Fused Class I Lanthipeptides in .

Lanthipeptides are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, with several having antimicrobial activity. The biosynthetic machinery responsible for modification of the class I lanthipeptide nisin provides a means for modification of a diverse range of lanthipeptides. However, literature regarding expression of class I lanthipeptides in a malleable Gram-negative host such as is limited.

Harnessing Macrophages for Controlled-Release Drug Delivery: Lessons From Microbes.

With the effectiveness of therapeutic agents ever decreasing and the increased incidence of multi-drug resistant pathogens, there is a clear need for administration of more potent, potentially more toxic, drugs. Alternatively, biopharmaceuticals may hold potential but require specialized protection from premature degradation. Thus, a paralleled need for specialized drug delivery systems has arisen.

Antibacterial Activity of Vancomycin Encapsulated in Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles Using Electrospraying.

Vancomycin is often used to treat infections caused by β-lactam-resistant bacteria. However, methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquired resistance to vancomycin, rendering it less effective in the treatment of serious infections. In the search for novel antibiotics, alternative delivery mechanisms have also been explored.

Efficacy of Lantibiotic Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Skin Infections, Monitored by In Vivo Bioluminescent Imaging.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterial pathogen responsible for the majority of skin and soft tissue infections. Antibiotics are losing their efficacy as treatment for skin and soft tissue infections as a result of increased resistance in a variety of pathogens, including S. aureus It is thus imperative to explore alternative antimicrobial treatments to ensure future treatment options for skin and soft tissue infections.