Pneumococcal natural transformation contributes to genomic plasticity, antibiotic resistance development and vaccine escape. Streptococcus pneumoniae, like many other naturally transformable species, has evolved sophisticated protein machinery for the binding and uptake of DNA. Two proteins encoded by the comF operon, ComFA and ComFC, are involved in transformation but their exact molecular roles remain unknown. In this study, we provide experimental evidence that ComFA binds to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and has ssDNA-dependent ATPase activity. We show that both ComFA and ComFC are essential for the transformation process in pneumococci. Moreover, we show that these proteins interact with each other and with other proteins involved in homologous recombination, such as DprA, thus placing the ComFA-ComFC duo at the interface between DNA uptake and DNA recombination during transformation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mmi.13732 | DOI Listing |
Pharmaceutics
January 2025
School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China.
Non-viral vectors have gained recognition for their ability to enhance the safety of gene delivery processes. Among these, polyethyleneimine (PEI) stands out as the most widely utilized cationic polymer due to its accessibility. Traditional methods of modifying PEI, such as ligand conjugation, chemical derivatization, and cross-linking, are associated with intricate preparation procedures, limited transfection efficiency, and suboptimal biocompatibility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
January 2025
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology, Key Laboratory of fishery Drug Development, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510380, China.
Glutamine metabolism is essential for infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) replication. Glutaminase 1 (GLS1), the key enzyme of the glutamine metabolism, and c-Myc positively regulate ISKNV infection, while c-Myc is closely correlated with GLS1. However, the regulatory mechanism among ISKNV, c-Myc and glutamine metabolism remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenes (Basel)
December 2024
Sport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain.
: Previous studies suggest that there is a genetically determined component of fat oxidation at rest and during exercise. To date, the gene has been proposed as a candidate gene to affect fat oxidation during exercise because of the association of the "at-risk" A allele with different obesity-related factors such as increased body fat, higher appetite and elevated insulin and triglyceride levels. The A allele of the gene may also be linked to obesity through a reduced capacity for fat oxidation during exercise, a topic that remains largely underexplored in the current literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancers (Basel)
January 2025
Medical Management, Hygiene, Epidemiology and Hospital Infection, University Hospital of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Background: Several studies highlighted that tailored health communication interventions improve cervical screening participation, vaccination coverage, and awareness about self-sampling benefits. The "COMUNISS" project was aimed at increasing awareness about cervical cancer prevention, identifying barriers to screening, and promoting screening uptake in under-screened women.
Methods: A dedicated website with a Q&A session regarding HPV-associated diseases has been set up.
Small
January 2025
Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital and School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200001, China.
Oral mucosal injuries are commonly caused by factors such as trauma, infection, or inflammation, especially in diabetic patients where healing is difficult and significantly affects quality of life. In this study, a nanocarrier system based on DNA tetrahedrons (TDN) is developed, which serve as ideal vectors due to their excellent intracellular uptake and drug delivery capabilities. By efficiently delivering miR132 into cells, the proliferation and migration of human oral mucosal fibroblasts (HOMFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are regulated, along with the modulation of inflammation and antioxidant processes.
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