High throughput and targeted screens for prepilin peptidase inhibitors do not identify common inhibitors of eukaryotic gamma-secretase.

Introduction: Prepilin peptidases (PPP) are essential enzymes for the biogenesis of important virulence factors, such as type IV pili (T4P), type II secretion systems, and other T4P-related systems of bacteria and archaea. PPP inhibitors could be valuable pharmaceuticals, but only a few have been reported. Interestingly, PPP share similarities with presenilin enzymes from the gamma-secretase protease complex, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Landmark Discoveries and Recent Advances in Type IV Pilus Research.

Type IV pili (T4P) are retractable multifunctional nanofibers present on the surface of numerous bacterial and archaeal species. Their importance to microbiology is difficult to overstate. The scientific journey leading to our current understanding of T4P structure and function has included many innovative research milestones.

Draft genome sequences of concurrent Escherichia coli blood and fecal isolates from a patient with bacteremia and diarrhea belie BioFire-based detection of fecal enteropathogenic E. coli.

The BioFire FilmArray® Gastrointestinal panel is a multiplex PCR assay widely used to determine the etiology of infectious gastroenteritis directly from stool specimens. Recently a positive BioFire result for fecal enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) was reported by a clinical microbiology laboratory for an adult patient with diarrhea and bacteremia. Since EPEC infrequently infects adults and rarely causes bacteremia, we isolated fecal E.

Cystic lymphangioma of the stomach with marked reactive changes: a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction in adult.

Cystic lymphangiomas are benign lymphatic tumours which usually affect the paediatric population and are predominantly located in the head and neck region. Its occurrence during adulthood and an intra-abdominal location are both extremely uncommon. Clinically and radiologically, these lesions often mimic malignancy.

Bacillus mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from a sediment sample from a mangrove forest.

A facultatively anaerobic, endospore forming, alkali-tolerant, Gram-stain-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain AK61T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Coringa mangrove forest, India. Colonies were circular, 1.5 mm in diameter, shiny, smooth, yellowish and convex with entire margins after 48 h growth at 30 °C.

Characterization of heat induced spherulites of lysozyme reveals new insight on amyloid initiation.

Here, we report results obtained during our experiments to visualize how heat transforms globular protein, lysozyme into building block of β-amyloids. Light scattering experiments showed formation of lower order associated species around 50-70 °C followed by rapid cooperativity to β-amyloid fibrils. Interestingly, crystallization drops set at higher temperatures either led to aggregates or spherulites.

Rhodococcus lactis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from sludge of a dairy waste treatment plant.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and aerobic bacterium, designated strain DW151BT, was isolated from a sludge sample of a dairy industry effluent treatment plant. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain DW151BT placed it within the genus Rhodococcus. It displayed significant similarity with recognized species of the genus: Rhodococcus pyridinivorans PDB9T (98.

The intramolecular disulfide-stapled structure of laterosporulin, a class IId bacteriocin, conceals a human defensin-like structural module.

The growing emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to the exploration of naturally occurring defense peptides as antimicrobials. In this study, we found that laterosporulin (LS), a class IId bacteriocin, effectively kills active and nonmultiplying cells of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Fluorescence and electron microscopy suggest that growth inhibition occurs because of increased membrane permeability.

Characterization of two antimicrobial peptides produced by a halotolerant Bacillus subtilis strain SK.DU.4 isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample.

A bacterial strain producing two antimicrobial peptides was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample and identified as Bacillus subtilis based on both phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis. It grew optimally up to 14% NaCl and produced antimicrobial peptide within 24 h of growth. The peptides were purified using a combination of chemical extraction and chromatographic techniques.

Genome sequence of Pediococcus pentosaceus strain IE-3.

We report the 1.8-Mb genome sequence of Pediococcus pentosaceus strain IE-3, isolated from a dairy effluent sample. The whole-genome sequence of this strain will aid in comparative genomics of Pediococcus pentosaceus strains of diverse ecological origins and their biotechnological applications.

Identification, purification and characterization of laterosporulin, a novel bacteriocin produced by Brevibacillus sp. strain GI-9.

Background: Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides that are produced by bacteria as a defense mechanism in complex environments. Identification and characterization of novel bacteriocins in novel strains of bacteria is one of the important fields in bacteriology.

Methodology/findings: The strain GI-9 was identified as Brevibacillus sp.

Fulvivirga imtechensis sp. nov., a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes.

A novel, Gram-staining-negative, yellow-coloured, rod-shaped, obligately aerobic, non-motile bacterium, designated strain AK7(T), was isolated from seawater collected on the coast at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The predominant fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) 3-OH, C(16 : 1)ω5c, iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH and summed features 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and 4 (iso-C(17 : 1) I and/or anteiso-C(17 : 1) B). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and four other unidentified lipids.