A novel Diguanylate cyclase VdcR has multifaceted regulatory functions in the pathogenicity of Vibrio vulnificus.

Background: Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative pathogen that infects humans through foodborne or wound infections. Victims of V. vulnificus infections face significant health risks, including cellulitis and septicemia, which have rapid disease progression and high mortality rates.

Six novel species of the genus isolated from various environments in Taiwan.

Taiwan is situated in the subtropical region and its geographical location and topographical features contribute to a rich ecological diversity and scenic landscapes. We investigated the diversity of methanogens in different environments of Taiwan using a culture-dependent method. This report presents the characterization and taxonomy of six hydrogenotrophic methanogens obtained from cold seep sediments (strain FWC-SCC1 and FWC-SCC3), marine sediments (strain CWC-02 and YWC-01), estuarine sediments (strain Afa-1), and a hot spring well (strain Wushi-C6) in Taiwan.

The complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB35-C1, isolated from the sewage sludge.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB35-C1, which was isolated from sewage sludge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd.

The complete genome sequence of sp. MB14-C6, isolated from the lake waters of Donghu, Wuhan City, China.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB14-C6, which was isolated from the lake waters of Donghu, situated at Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The genome of strain MB14-C6 was chosen for further species delineation and comparative genomic analysis.

gen. nov., sp. nov., the first oceanic methanogen, isolated from potential methane hydrate bearing area offshore southwestern Taiwan.

A novel mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain CWC-04, was obtained from a sediment sample extracted from a gravity core retrieved at station 22 within the KP-9 area off the southwestern coast of Taiwan during the ORIII-1368 cruise in 2009. Cells of strain CWC-04 were rod-shaped, 1.4-2.

Structure-guided identification and characterization of potent inhibitors targeting PhoP and MtrA to combat mycobacteria.

Mycobacteria are causative agents of tuberculosis (TB), which is a global health concern. Drug-resistant TB strains are rapidly emerging, thereby necessitating the urgent development of new drugs. Two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs) are signaling pathways involved in the regulation of various bacterial behaviors and responses to environmental stimuli.

Complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB30-C6, isolated from sewage sludge of the wastewater treatment plant at a steel factory.

We report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB30-C6, which was isolated from the dehydrated sludge collected at the wastewater treatment plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd.

Whole-genome sequencing of sp. strain MB27-C1, isolated from the wastewater treatment plant of a steel mill.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain MB27-C1, which was isolated from sewage sludge collected at the wastewater treatment plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd.

The complete genome sequence of sp. MB12-C1, isolated from the feces of black soldier fly larvae.

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of sp. MB12-C1 (= BCRC 81406), isolated from the feces of black soldier fly () larvae. The genome of strain MB12-C1 was chosen for further species classification and comparative genomic analysis.

Complete genome sequence of sp. MB09-C3, isolated from the feces of the black soldier fly larvae.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. MB09-C3 (= BCRC 81405), isolated from the feces of black soldier fly () larvae. The genome of strain MB09-C3 was selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analysis.

Complete genome sequence of sp. QWL-01, isolated from sewage sludge.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. QWL-01 (= BCRC 81396), isolated from sewage sludge of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Sanming Steel Co. Ltd.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. Strain Yu-01, Isolated from the Feces of the Black Soldier Fly.

We report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain Yu-01 (=BCRC 81391), isolated from the feces of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. This fly has increasingly been gaining attention because of its usefulness for recycling organic waste.

The deficiency of poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-glucosamine deacetylase trigger A. baumannii to convert to biofilm-independent colistin-tolerant cells.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen that can be resistant to antibiotics by rapidly modulating its anti-drug mechanisms. The multidrug-resistant A. baumannii has been considered one of the most threatening pathogens to our society.

Crystal structure of the capsular polysaccharide-synthesis enzyme CapG from Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacterial capsular polysaccharides provide protection against environmental stress and immune evasion from the host immune system, and are therefore considered to be attractive therapeutic targets for the development of anti-infectious reagents. Here, we focused on CapG, one of the key enzymes in the synthesis pathway of capsular polysaccharides type 5 (CP5) from the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. SaCapG catalyses the 2-epimerization of UDP-N-acetyl-D-talosamine (UDP-TalNAc) to UDP-N-acetyl-D-fucosamine (UDP-FucNAc), which is one of the nucleotide-activated precursors for the synthesis of the trisaccharide repeating units of CP5.

Complete Genome Sequence of Methanofollis aquaemaris BCRC 16166, Isolated from a Marine Aquaculture Fishpond.

The hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanofollis aquaemaris BCRC 16166 (= N2F9704 = DSM 14661) was isolated from a marine aquaculture fishpond near Wang-gong (Taiwan, Republic of China). The genome of strain BCRC 16166 was selected for sequencing in order to provide further information about the species delineation and its infected virus.

Draft Genomes of Methanocalculus taiwanensis P2F9704a and Methanocalculus chunghsingensis K1F9705b, Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens Belonging to the Family .

The family comprises hydrogen- and formate-utilizing methanogens. Here, we report two additional draft genome sequences of , those of Methanocalculus taiwanensis P2F9704a (equivalent to BCRC 16182 and DSM 14663) and Methanocalculus chunghsingensis K1F9705b (equivalent to DSM 14646 and OCM 772), which were selected for further species delineation and comparative genomic analyses.

High-efficiency decomposition of eggshell membrane by a keratinase from Meiothermus taiwanensis.

Eggshell membrane (ESM), a plentiful biological waste, consists of collagen-like proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as hyaluronic acid (HA). Here we used a keratinase (oeMtaker)-mediated system to decompose ESM. The best reaction condition was established by incubating the solution containing oeMtaker, sodium sulfite, and ESM with a weight ratio of 1:120:600.

A Structural Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and Animal Coronaviral Main Protease Reveals Species-Specific Ligand Binding and Dimerization Mechanism.

Animal coronaviruses (CoVs) have been identified to be the origin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and probably SARS-CoV-2 that cause severe to fatal diseases in humans. Variations of zoonotic coronaviruses pose potential threats to global human beings. To overcome this problem, we focused on the main protease (M), which is an evolutionary conserved viral protein among different coronaviruses.

Antigen-Antibody Complex-Guided Exploration of the Hotspots Conferring the Immune-Escaping Ability of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulting from the spread of SARS-CoV-2 spurred devastating health and economic crises around the world. Neutralizing antibodies and licensed vaccines were developed to combat COVID-19, but progress was slow. In addition, variants of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein confer resistance of SARS-CoV-2 to neutralizing antibodies, nullifying the possibility of human immunity.

An Enzyme-Mediated Aza-Michael Addition Is Involved in the Biosynthesis of an Imidazoyl Hybrid Product of Conidiogenone B.

Meleagrin B is a terpene-alkaloid hybrid natural product that contains both the conidiogenone and meleagrin scaffold. Their derivatives show diverse biological activities. We characterized the biosynthesis of (-)-conidiogenone B (), which involves a diterpene synthase and a P450 monooxygenase.

Effect of membrane fusion protein AdeT1 on the antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a prevalent pathogen that can rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics. Indeed, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections and has been recognised by the World Health Organization as one of the most threatening bacteria to our society.

Characterization of the structure-function relationship of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates in designing new anti-infective agents. However, many AMPs show poor bactericidal activities in physical salt and serum solutions. Here, we disclosed the structure-function relationships of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12, which could further explain its mode of action and show its applicability in developing new antibacterial agents.

Structure of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase from Acinetobacter baumannii.

Undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (UPP) is an important carrier of the oligosaccharide component in peptidoglycan synthesis. Inhibition of UPP synthase (UPPS) may be an effective strategy in combating the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, which has evolved to be multidrug-resistant. Here, A.