sp. nov., isolated from kimchi, a fermented vegetable.

The novel strain CBA3628 was isolated from kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable. CBA3628 is a cocci-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, catalase- and oxidase-negative and facultatively anaerobic bacterium. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that CBA3628 represented a member of the genus of the family .

Reversible Protein Conjugation on Live Cell Surfaces by Specific Recognition between Coiled-Coil Motifs of Natural Amino Acid Sequences.

In this study, we propose a reversible covalent conjugation method for peptides, proteins, and even live cells based on specific recognition between natural amino acid sequences. Two heptad sequences can specifically recognize each other and induce the formation of a disulfide bond between cysteine residues. We show the covalent bond formation and dissociation between peptides and proteins in cell-free conditions and on the surface of live cells.

Calcium-Binding Polymer-Coated Poly(lactide- co-glycolide) Microparticles for Sustained Release of Quorum Sensing Inhibitors to Prevent Biofilm Formation on Hydroxyapatite Surfaces.

Quorum sensing (QS) inhibitor-based therapy is an attractive strategy to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation without excessive induction of antibiotic resistance. Thus, we designed Ca-binding poly(lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles that can maintain a sufficient concentration of QS inhibitors around hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces in order to prevent biofilm formation on HA-based dental or bone tissues or implants and, therefore, subsequent pathogenesis. Poly(butyl methacrylate- co-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PBMP) contains both Ca-binding phosphomonoester groups and PLGA-interacting butyl groups.

Systems analysis identifies potential target genes to overcome cetuximab resistance in colorectal cancer cells.

Cetuximab (CTX), a monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor, is being widely used for colorectal cancer (CRC) with wild-type (WT) KRAS. However, its responsiveness is still very limited and WT KRAS is not enough to indicate such responsiveness. Here, by analyzing the gene expression data of CRC patients treated with CTX monotherapy, we have identified DUSP4, ETV5, GNB5, NT5E, and PHLDA1 as potential targets to overcome CTX resistance.

Multimeric Amphipathic α-Helical Sequences for Rapid and Efficient Intracellular Protein Transport at Nanomolar Concentrations.

An amphipathic leucine (L) and lysine (K)-rich α-helical peptide is multimerized based on helix-loop-helix structures to maximize the penetrating activities. The multimeric LK-based cell penetrating peptides (LK-CPPs) can penetrate cells as protein-fused forms at 100-1000-fold lower concentrations than Tat peptide. The enhanced penetrating activity is increased through multimerization by degrees up to the tetramer level.

Photoswitching of Cell Penetration of Amphipathic Peptides by Control of α-Helical Conformation.

We stapled an amphipathic peptide mainly consisting of leucine (L) and lysine (K) by an azobenzene (Ab) linker for photocontrol of the secondary structure. The cis- trans isomerization of the Ab moieties could stabilize and destabilize the α-helical conformation of the LK peptide along with dramatic change of associated peptide structures in a reversible manner by UV-vis irradiation. The cell-penetrating activities of the LK peptide can be readily regulated by the photocontrol, as the stabilized cis-Ab-LK peptide showed remarkable increase of cell penetration compared to the destabilized trans-Ab-LK peptide.