Structural characterization and comparison of three acyl-carrier-protein synthases from pathogenic bacteria.

Some bacterial type II fatty-acid synthesis (FAS II) enzymes have been shown to be important candidates for drug discovery. The scientific and medical quest for new FAS II protein targets continues to stimulate research in this field. One of the possible additional candidates is the acyl-carrier-protein synthase (AcpS) enzyme.

Investigating the genome diversity of B. cereus and evolutionary aspects of B. anthracis emergence.

Here we report the use of a multi-genome DNA microarray to investigate the genome diversity of Bacillus cereus group members and elucidate the events associated with the emergence of Bacillus anthracis the causative agent of anthrax-a lethal zoonotic disease. We initially performed directed genome sequencing of seven diverse B. cereus strains to identify novel sequences encoded in those genomes.

Tracing phylogenomic events leading to diversity of Haemophilus influenzae and the emergence of Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF)-associated clones.

Here we report the use of a multi-genome DNA microarray to elucidate the genomic events associated with the emergence of the clonal variants of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius causing Brazilian Purpuric Fever (BPF), an important pediatric disease with a high mortality rate. We performed directed genome sequencing of strain HK1212 unique loci to construct a species DNA microarray. Comparative genome hybridization using this microarray enabled us to determine and compare gene complements, and infer reliable phylogenomic relationships among members of the species.

A correlation analysis of protein characteristics associated with genome-wide high throughput expression and solubility of Streptococcus pneumoniae proteins.

We have developed and evaluated a highly parallel protein expression and purification system using ORFs derived from the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae as a representative test case in conjunction with the Gateway cloning technology. Establishing high throughput protein production capability is essential for genome-wide characterization of protein function. In this study, we focused on protein expression and purification outcomes generated from an expression vector which encodes an NH(2)-terminal hexa-histidine tag and a COOH-terminal S-tag.

Identification of fibronectin-binding proteins in Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R.

We have determined that virulent Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain Rlow is capable of binding the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. Fibronectin was found to be present in M. gallisepticum Rlow protein extracts by Western blotting and peptide sequencing.

Proteomic profiling of cell envelope-associated proteins from Staphylococcus aureus.

The emergence of highly virulent community acquired Staphylococcus aureus and continued progression of resistance to multiple antimicrobials, including methicillin and vancomycin, marks the reemergence of S. aureus as a serious health care threat. Investigation of proteins localized to the cell surface could help to elucidate mechanisms of virulence and antibiotic resistance in S.

The complete genome sequence of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R(low).

The complete genome of Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R(low) has been sequenced. The genome is composed of 996,422 bp with an overall G+C content of 31 mol%. It contains 742 putative coding DNA sequences (CDSs), representing a 91 % coding density.