Natural variation in the Arabidopsis AGO2 gene is associated with susceptibility to potato virus X.

RNA silencing functions as an anti-viral defence in plants through the action of DICER-like (DCL) and ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins. Despite the importance of this mechanism, little is known about the functional consequences of variation in genes encoding RNA silencing components. The AGO2 protein has been shown to be important for defense against multiple viruses, and we investigated how naturally occurring differences in AGO2 between and within species affects its antiviral activities.

Macrolide Treatment Inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis. An Analysis from the Bronchiectasis and Low-Dose Erythromycin Study Trial.

Rationale: The mechanism by which low-dose macrolide therapy reduces exacerbations in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is not known. Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing controls the expression of a range of pathogenicity traits and is inhibited by macrolide in vitro. Quorum sensing inhibition renders P.

Effect of long-term, low-dose erythromycin on pulmonary exacerbations among patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: the BLESS randomized controlled trial.

Importance: Macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin may improve clinical outcomes in non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, although associated risks of macrolide resistance are poorly defined.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and antimicrobial resistance cost of low-dose erythromycin given for 12 months to patients with non-CF bronchiectasis with a history of frequent pulmonary exacerbations.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Twelve-month, randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of erythromycin in currently nonsmoking, adult patients with non-CF bronchiectasis with a history of 2 or more infective exacerbations in the preceding year.