MetaCompass: Reference-guided Assembly of Metagenomes.

Metagenomic studies have primarily relied on assembly for reconstructing genes and genomes from microbial mixtures. While reference-guided approaches have been employed in the assembly of single organisms, they have not been used in a metagenomic context. Here we describe the first effective approach for reference-guided metagenomic assembly that can complement and improve upon metagenomic assembly methods for certain organisms.

A Phase I Randomized Therapeutic MVA-B Vaccination Improves the Magnitude and Quality of the T Cell Immune Responses in HIV-1-Infected Subjects on HAART.

Trial Design: Previous studies suggested that poxvirus-based vaccines might be instrumental in the therapeutic HIV field. A phase I clinical trial was conducted in HIV-1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with CD4 T cell counts above 450 cells/mm3 and undetectable viremia. Thirty participants were randomized (2:1) to receive either 3 intramuscular injections of MVA-B vaccine (coding for clade B HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol and Nef antigens) or placebo, followed by interruption of HAART.

Virological and immunological characterization of novel NYVAC-based HIV/AIDS vaccine candidates expressing clade C trimeric soluble gp140(ZM96) and Gag(ZM96)-Pol-Nef(CN54) as virus-like particles.

Unlabelled: The generation of vaccines against HIV/AIDS able to induce long-lasting protective immunity remains a major goal in the HIV field. The modest efficacy (31.2%) against HIV infection observed in the RV144 phase III clinical trial highlighted the need for further improvement of HIV vaccine candidates, formulation, and vaccine regimen.

Draft genome sequence and transcriptome analysis of the wine spoilage yeast Dekkera bruxellensis LAMAP2480 provides insights into genetic diversity, metabolism and survival.

Dekkera bruxellensis is the major contaminant yeast in the wine industry worldwide. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of D. bruxellensis LAMAP2480 isolated from a Chilean wine.

Novel insights on the progression of intermediate viral forms in the morphogenesis of vaccinia virus.

Morphogenesis of vaccinia virus (VACV) is a complex structural process in which the capture of all cytoplasmic stages is difficult due to the rapid transition between the different viral forms. Taking advantage of two VACV mutants (M65 and M101) with defined genetic alterations, we described by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of ultrathin sections novel potential transition viral forms (Ts) with reorganization of the immature virus (IV) membrane and construction of the internal core, and illustrated the envelopment steps from the mature virus (MV) to the wrapped virus (WV) stages. Our observations allowed us to propose a sequence of structural events for VACV assembly that provides key clues about VACV morphogenesis.

A novel poxvirus-based vaccine, MVA-CHIKV, is highly immunogenic and protects mice against chikungunya infection.

Unlabelled: There is a need to develop a single and highly effective vaccine against the emerging chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which causes a severe disease in humans. Here, we have generated and characterized the immunogenicity profile and the efficacy of a novel CHIKV vaccine candidate based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing the CHIKV C, E3, E2, 6K, and E1 structural genes (termed MVA-CHIKV). MVA-CHIKV was stable in cell culture, expressed the CHIKV structural proteins, and triggered the cytoplasmic accumulation of Golgi apparatus-derived membranes in infected human cells.

Ssa miRNAs DB: Online repository of in silico predicted miRNAs in Salmo salar.

Unlabelled: The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a very valuable commercial salmonid species. As with other aquaculture species, intensive aquaculture of Atlantic salmon often faces disease problems especially in early life stages which can limit stable production of the species. 'Ssa miRNAs DB', a bioinformatics and manually curated database, aims at providing a comprehensive resource of microRNA in Altantic salmon, with a user friendly interface for a convenient retrieval of each entry by microRNA ID or target gene.

A role for the SNARE protein syntaxin 3 in human cytomegalovirus morphogenesis.

As an enveloped virus, replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is dependent on interaction with cellular membrane systems. Its final envelopment occurs into intracellular membranes prior to its secretion. However the mechanisms underlying these processes are poorly understood.

Rab27a is required for human cytomegalovirus assembly.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) completes its final envelopment on intracellular membranes before it is released from the cell. The mechanisms underlying these processes are not understood. Here we studied the role of Rab27a, a regulator of lysosome-related organelle transport, in HCMV production.

Human cytomegalovirus final envelopment on membranes containing both trans-Golgi network and endosomal markers.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been shown to complete its final envelopment on cytoplasmic membranes prior to its secretion to the extracellular medium. However, the nature of these membranes has not been characterized. It is thought that HCMV acquires its final envelope from the trans-Golgi network (TGN), though we and others have previously reported a role for endocytic membranes.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitors in cancer chemotherapy.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are defined as a family of cell signaling enzymes present in eukaryotes, which are involved in poly(ADP-ribosylation) of DNA-binding proteins. The best studied of these enzymes (PARP-1) is involved in the cellular response to DNA damage so that in the event of irreparable DNA damage overactivation of PARP-1 leads to necrotic cell death. Inhibitors of PARP-1 activity in combination with DNA-binding antitumor drugs may constitute a suitable strategy in cancer chemotherapy.

Biochemical mechanisms of cisplatin cytotoxicity.

Since the discovery by Rosenberg and collaborators of the antitumor activity of cisplatin 35 years ago, three platinum antitumor drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) have enjoyed a huge clinical and commercial hit. Ever since the initial discovery of the anticancer activity of cisplatin, major efforts have been devoted to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms of antitumor activity of cisplatin in order to be able to rationally design novel platinum based drugs with superior pharmacological profiles. In this report we attempt to provide a current picture of the known facts pertaining to the mechanism of action of the drug, including those involved in drug uptake, DNA damage signals transduction, and cell death through apoptosis or necrosis.

Pentamidine is an antiparasitic and apoptotic drug that selectively modifies ubiquitin.

We have determined the cytotoxic properties of pentamidine isethionate (2) towards the promastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. The leishmanicidal activity of 2 was 60 times higher after 72 h of incubation than that of cisplatin (4). The pentamidine salt 2 induced a higher amount of programmed cell death (PCD) than cisplatin, which is associated with inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide enhances apoptosis induction by platinum complexes in cisplatin-resistant tumor cells.

Cisplatin is one of the most widely used antitumor drugs. However, as all the anticancer drugs currently used in clinic, cisplatin shows the phenomenon of drug resistance (intrinsic or acquired) against a wide variety of tumors. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 is an enzyme involved in DNA repair and apoptotic cell death, which may be inhibited to increase cisplatin chemosensitivity of tumor cells so that cisplatin resistance may be circumvented.