Genome Segregation by the Venus Flytrap Mechanism: Probing the Interaction Between the ParF ATPase and the ParG Centromere Binding Protein.

The molecular events that underpin genome segregation during bacterial cytokinesis have not been fully described. The tripartite segrosome complex that is encoded by the multiresistance plasmid TP228 in is a tractable model to decipher the steps that mediate accurate genome partitioning in bacteria. In this case, a "Venus flytrap" mechanism mediates plasmid segregation.

A cross-sectional observational study of pneumococcal carriage in children, their parents, and older adults following the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Using nasopharyngeal carriage as a marker of vaccine impact, pneumococcal colonization and its relation to invasive disease were examined in children, their parents, and older adults in the United Kingdom following introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and prior to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13).A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, collecting nasopharyngeal swabs from children aged 25 to 55 months who had previously received 3 doses of PCV7, their parents, and adults aged ≥65 years. Pneumococcal serotyping was conducted according to World Health Organization guidelines with nontypeable isolates further analyzed by molecular serotyping.

Uncoupling of nucleotide hydrolysis and polymerization in the ParA protein superfamily disrupts DNA segregation dynamics.

DNA segregation in bacteria is mediated most frequently by proteins of the ParA superfamily that transport DNA molecules attached via the segrosome nucleoprotein complex. Segregation is governed by a cycle of ATP-induced polymerization and subsequent depolymerization of the ParA factor. Here, we establish that hyperactive ATPase variants of the ParA homolog ParF display altered segrosome dynamics that block accurate DNA segregation.

Structure of GES-1 at atomic resolution: insights into the evolution of carbapenamase activity in the class A extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

The structure of the class A extended-spectrum beta-lactamase GES-1 from Klebsiella pneumoniae has been determined to 1.1 A resolution. GES-1 has the characteristic active-site disulfide bond of the carbapenemase family of beta-lactamases and has a structure that is very similar to those of other known carbapenemases, including NMC-A, SME-1 and KPC-2.

Occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases among isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from urinary tract infections in southern Italy.

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESbetaLs) among urinary tract infection (UTI) isolates. During 4 months in 2004, a total of 650 Enterobacteriaceae strains from UTIs was collected by five clinical microbiology laboratories located in southern Italy and the beta-lactamase production was investigated. A total of 50 of the 650 isolates were double-disk positive and suspected of producing an ESbetaL; Escherichia coli (36.

Spread of bla(CTX-M-type) and bla(PER-2) beta-lactamase genes in clinical isolates from Bolivian hospitals.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and types of genes encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. from Bolivia.

Methods: A total of 642 clinical isolates were collected consecutively during a 4 month period (September to December 2004).