[A Recombinant Rotavirus Antigen Based on the Coat Protein of Alternanthera Mosaic Virus].

Thanks to their strong immunostimulating properties and safety for humans, plant viruses represent an appropriate basis for the design of novel vaccines. The coat protein of Alternanthera mosaic virus can form virus-like particles that are stable under physiological conditions and have adjuvant properties. This work presents a recombinant human rotavirus A antigen based on the epitope of rotavirus structural protein VP6, using Alternanthera mosaic virus coat protein as a carrier.

Bacteriophage Arno 160 Infects via Depolymerization of the Bacterial O-Polysaccharide.

Phytopathogenic bacteria belonging to the and genera (soft-rot ) are in the focus of agriculture-related microbiology because of their diversity, their substantial negative impact on the production of potatoes and vegetables, and the prospects of bacteriophage applications for disease control. Because of numerous amendments in the taxonomy of , there are still a few studied sequenced strains among this species. The present work reports on the isolation and characterization of the phage infectious to the type strain of .

Changes in Transcriptional Regulation of Postnatal Morphogenesis of the Adrenal Zona Fasciculata Caused by Endocrine Disruptor Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.

We studied the expression of transcriptional factors regulating postnatal morphogenesis of the adrenal zona fasciculata in rats after developmental exposure to endocrine disruptor DDT. It was found that tissue reparation after trophic disorders and cell death triggered by prenatal and postnatal exposure to DDT was accompanied by an increase in the number of Oct4- and Shh-expressing cells forming a pool located outside the regeneration zones and involved in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in the zona fasciculata. DDT exposure also disrupted the expression of antiproliferative factor Hhex.

Chemical, Metabolic, and Cellular Characterization of a FtsZ Inhibitor Effective Against .

There is an urgent need for new antimicrobials to treat the opportunistic Gram-negative , which represents a problematic challenge for cystic fibrosis patients. Recently, a benzothiadiazole derivative, C109, was shown to be effective against the infections caused by and other Gram-negative and-positive bacteria. C109 has a promising cellular target, the cell division protein FtsZ, and a recently developed PEGylated formulation make it an attractive molecule to counteract infections.

Mitochondria-targeted 1,4-naphthoquinone (SkQN) is a powerful prooxidant and cytotoxic agent.

An increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria due to targeted delivery of redox active compounds may be useful in studies of modulation of cell functions by mitochondrial ROS. Recently, the mitochondria-targeted derivative of menadione (MitoK) was synthesized. However, MitoK did not induce mitochondrial ROS production and lipid peroxidation while exerting significant cytotoxic action.

Urchin peroxidase-mimicking Au@Pt nanoparticles as a label in lateral flow immunoassay: impact of nanoparticle composition on detection limit of Clavibacter michiganensis.

The influence of Au@Pt nanoparticles' composition, morphology, and peroxidase-mimicking activity on the limit of detection (LOD) of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has been investigated. Fourteen types of nanoparticles were synthesized by varying the concentration of Pt (20-2000 μM), using gold nanoparticles (GNP, diameter 20.0 ± 2.

Complete Genome Sequences and Methylome Analysis of Two Environmental .

Here, we report the finished closed genomes of two environmental bacteria, K2 and P (formally known as P). In addition, we provide methylation data and the associated enzymes predicted and confirmed to be responsible for each modified motif.

Reading the phosphorylation code: binding of the 14-3-3 protein to multivalent client phosphoproteins.

Many major protein-protein interaction networks are maintained by 'hub' proteins with multiple binding partners, where interactions are often facilitated by intrinsically disordered protein regions that undergo post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation. Phosphorylation can directly affect protein function and control recognition by proteins that 'read' the phosphorylation code, re-wiring the interactome. The eukaryotic 14-3-3 proteins recognizing multiple phosphoproteins nicely exemplify these concepts.

Two Cobalt Chelatase Subunits Can Be Generated from a Single chlD Gene via Programed Frameshifting.

Magnesium chelatase chlIDH and cobalt chelatase cobNST enzymes are required for biosynthesis of (bacterio)chlorophyll and cobalamin (vitamin B12), respectively. Each enzyme consists of large, medium, and small subunits. Structural and primary sequence similarities indicate common evolutionary origin of the corresponding subunits.

Effect of Arginine on Chaperone-Like Activity of HspB6 and Monomeric 14-3-3ζ.

The effect of protein chaperones HspB6 and the monomeric form of the protein 14-3-3ζ (14-3-3ζ) on a test system based on thermal aggregation of UV-irradiated glycogen phosphorylase (UV-Ph) at 37 °C and a constant ionic strength (0.15 M) was studied using dynamic light scattering. A significant increase in the anti-aggregation activity of HspB6 and 14-3-3ζ was demonstrated in the presence of 0.

[Biotechnological Potential of the Bacillus subtilis 20 Strain].

Bacillus subtilis bacteria play an important role in veterinary medicine, medicine, and biotechnology, and the permanently growing demand for biotechnological products fuels the improvement of the properties of biotechnological strains. B. subtilis strains with improved characteristics maybe obtained by rational design and the directed evolution technologies, or be found among newly described strains.

Rv0579 Is Involved in the Resistance to the TP053 Antitubercular Prodrug.

Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death from a single pathogen globally. It is estimated that 1/4 of the world's population harbors latent tuberculosis, but only a 5-10% of patients will develop active disease. During latent infection, can persist unaffected by drugs for years in a non-replicating state with low metabolic activity.

Hemocompatibility of Silver Nanoparticles Based on Conjugate of Quaternized Chitosan with Gallic Acid in In Vitro Experiments.

We studied hemocompatibility of silver nanoparticles synthesized on the basis of a conjugate of quaternized chitosan with gallic acid (QChit-Gal). For the three variants of silver particles (Nos. 1, 2, and 3), the QChit-Gal:AgNO ratio was 5:1, 5:3, and 1:1, respectively.

One-Year Old Dormant, "Non-culturable" Preserves Significantly Diverse Protein Profile.

For adaptation to stressful conditions, () is prone to transit to a dormant, non-replicative state, which is believed to be the basis of the latent form of tuberculosis infection. Dormant bacteria persist in the host for a long period without multiplication, cannot be detected from biological samples by microbiological methods, however, their "non-culturable" state is reversible. Mechanisms supporting very long capacity of mycobacteria for resuscitation and further multiplication after prolonged survival in a dormant phase remain unclear.

Engineering Robust Cellulases for Tailored Lignocellulosic Degradation Cocktails.

Lignocellulosic biomass is a most promising feedstock in the production of second-generation biofuels. Efficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass requires a synergistic action of several cellulases and hemicellulases. Cellulases depolymerize cellulose, the main polymer of the lignocellulosic biomass, to its building blocks.

Mitochondrial Dysfunctions May Be One of the Major Causative Factors Underlying Detrimental Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is currently the most commonly used antimicrobial preservative in ophthalmic solutions, nasal sprays, and cosmetics. However, a large number of clinical and experimental investigations showed that the topical administration of BAC-containing eye drops could cause a variety of ocular surface changes, from ocular discomfort to potential risk for future glaucoma surgery. BAC-containing albuterol may increase the risk of albuterol-related systemic adverse effects.

Revealing electronic features governing hydrolysis of cephalosporins in the active site of the L1 metallo-β-lactamase.

The QM/MM simulations followed by electron density feature analysis are carried out to deepen the understanding of the reaction mechanism of cephalosporin hydrolysis in the active site of the L1 metallo-β-lactamase. The differences in reactivity of ten similar cephalosporin compounds are explained by using an extended set of bonding descriptors. The limiting step of the reaction is characterized by the proton transfer to the nitrogen atom of the cephalosporin thiazine ring accompanied with formation of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond in its N-C-C fragment.

Phospholipase Superfamily: Structure, Functions, and Biotechnological Applications.

Enzymes of the phospholipase superfamily are involved in lipid metabolism, as well as regulation of membrane composition, cell signaling, and inflammation. This review provides an insight into the structure, functional properties, and biotechnological application of phospholipase A2 and phospholipases in general.

Chitin/Chitosan and Its Derivatives: Fundamental Problems and Practical Approaches.

In this review, we present the data on the natural occurrence of chitin and its partially or fully deacetylated derivative chitosan, as well as their properties, methods of modification, and potential applications of derivatives with bactericidal, fungicidal, and antioxidant activities. The structure and physicochemical characteristics of the polymers, their functions, and features of chitin microbial synthesis and degradation, including the processes occurring in nature, are described. New data on the hydrolytic microorganisms capable of chitin degradation under extreme conditions are presented.

Molecular Mechanisms of Pathologies of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles Caused by Point Mutations in the Tropomyosin Genes.

The review is devoted to tropomyosin (Tpm) - actin-binding protein, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Special attention is paid to myopathies and cardiomyopathies - severe hereditary diseases of skeletal and cardiac muscles associated with point mutations in Tpm genes. The current views on the molecular mechanisms of these diseases and the effects of such mutations on the Tpm structure and functions are considered in detail.

Enrichment of Anaerobic Syngas-Converting Communities and Isolation of a Novel Carboxydotrophic Strain JM.

Syngas is a substrate for the anaerobic bioproduction of fuels and valuable chemicals. In this study, anaerobic sludge was used for microbial enrichments with synthetic syngas and acetate as main substrates. The objectives of this study were to identify microbial networks (in enrichment cultures) for the conversion of syngas to added-value products, and to isolate robust, non-fastidious carboxydotrophs.

The cell division protein FtsZ as a cellular target to hit cystic fibrosis pathogens.

Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease characterized by the production of dehydrated mucus in the lung able to trap bacteria and rendering their proliferation particularly dangerous, thus leading to chronic infections. Among these bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa play a major role while, within emerging pathogens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Burkholderia cepacia complex species, as well as non-tuberculous mycobacteria are listed. Since a common feature of these bacteria is the high level of drug resistance, cell division, and in particular FtsZ, has been explored as a novel therapeutic target for the design of new molecules with antibacterial properties.

Optical Properties of Soil Dissolved Organic Matter Are Related to Acidic Functions of Its Components as Revealed by Fractionation, Selective Deuteromethylation, and Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

The goal of this study was to establish a relationship between the optical properties of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) and acidic functions carried out by its individual constituents. We obtained 12 fractions of DOM samples using sequential solid phase extraction on nonionic sorbent at steadily lowered pH values: 7, 5, 3, 2, which correspond to low bounds of p values of phenols, aliphatic, and aromatic carboxylic acids, and ketoacids. The structural studies were conducted with the use of NMR and selective deuteromethylation of isolated fractions coupled to ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry.

Morphologically Different Bacteriophages PP99 and PP101: Deacetylation of O-Polysaccharide by the Tail Spike Protein of Phage PP99 Accompanies the Infection.

Soft rot caused by numerous species of and is a serious threat to the world production of potatoes. The application of bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry requires the selection of comprehensively studied lytic phages and the knowledge of their infection mechanism for more rational composition of therapeutic cocktails. We present the study of two bacteriophages, infective for the strain F152.

Metabolic profiling of dormant Mycolicibacterium smegmatis cells' reactivation reveals a gradual assembly of metabolic processes.

Introduction: Under gradual acidification of the culture medium mycobacterial cells transit into a specific state characterized by low level of metabolic activity and morphological alterations. This state of non-replicative persistence (dormancy) is directly linked to physiological drug resistance, which complicates the efforts to eradicate the latent forms of TB. In order to find new anti-latent TB compounds, the metabolic processes which may occur in the state of dormancy and during the transition into the active state (reactivation) should be characterized.