MecA is a broadly conserved adaptor protein in Gram-positive bacteria, mediating the recognition and degradation of specific target proteins by ClpCP protease complexes. MecA binds target proteins, often through recognition of degradation tags or motifs, and delivers them to the ClpC ATPase, which unfolds and translocates the substrates into the ClpP protease barrel for degradation. MecA activity is tightly regulated through interactions with ClpC ATPase and other factors, ensuring precise control over protein degradation and cellular homeostasis. Beyond proteolysis, emerging evidence highlights a ClpP-independent role of MecA in modulating the function of its targets, including key enzymes and transcriptional factors involved in biosynthetic and metabolic pathways. However, the full scope and mechanisms of ClpP-independent MecA regulation remain unclear, warranting further investigation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mmi.15356 | DOI Listing |
Sci Adv
March 2025
Center for Infectious Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
Invasive infections by encapsulated bacteria are the major cause of human morbidity and mortality. The liver resident macrophages, Kupffer cells, form the hepatic firewall to clear many encapsulated bacteria in the blood circulation but fail to control certain high-virulence capsule types. Here we report that the spleen is the backup immune organ to clear the liver-resistant serotypes of (pneumococcus), a leading human pathogen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
March 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708.
CRISPR-Cas9 systems have revolutionized biotechnology, creating diverse new opportunities for biomedical research and therapeutic genome and epigenome editing. Despite the abundance of bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 systems, relatively few are effective in human cells, limiting the overall potential of CRISPR technology. To expand the CRISPR-Cas toolbox, we characterized a set of type II CRISPR-Cas9 systems from select bacterial genera and species encoding diverse Cas9s.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
March 2025
Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
Gardnerella vaginalis is the most frequently identified bacterium in approximately 95% of bacterial vaginosis (BV) cases. This species often exhibits resistance to multiple antibiotics, posing challenges for treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and explore alternative therapeutic strategies for managing bacterial vaginosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDent Med Probl
March 2025
Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Background: Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) is considered the most effective and safe antimicrobial agent in dentistry. Recently, it has often been produced in the form of preparations with additional substances that may modify its effect.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of various simple and combined CHG rinses against selected bacterial and yeast strains.
J Vet Intern Med
March 2025
Animal Endocrine Clinic, New York, New York, USA.
A 9-year-old mixed breed cat with a history of recurrent ulcerated skin lesions was diagnosed with nocardiosis. Three months after initiating potentiated sulfonamide treatment, the cat developed goitrous hypothyroidism, characterized by palpable enlargement of both thyroid lobes, low serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4), and high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration. Thyroid scintigraphy identified symmetrical enlargement of both thyroid lobes, with increased radionuclide (Tc-pertechnetate) uptake.
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