Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause abnormal cellular proliferation, leading to malignant or benign lesions, such as cervical cancer and warts. The genome of HPV16, the most prevalent high-risk oncogenic genotype within the Alphapapillomavirus genus, encodes two oncoproteins. One of these proteins, E7, interacts with multiple host proteins and modulates their functions through distinct pathways. The CR2 domain of HPV16 E7 was recently reported to interact with the μ2 subunit of clathrin-adaptor protein 2 (AP2-μ2), an adaptor complex involved in cargo internalization during clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In this study, to provide molecular insights into their intermolecular interactions, we determined the crystal structures of AP2-μ2 in complex with the HPV16 E7-derived peptides. Subsequent biochemical analyses revealed that this interaction is primarily maintained by the Y-x-x-Φ motif and further supported by acidic cluster residues of HPV16 E7. Finally, sequence alignment of the E7 CR2 domains from various HPV genotypes showed that the AP2-μ2-binding motif is largely conserved in Alpha-, Beta-, and Mupapillomaviruses, but not in Nu- and Gammapapillomaviruses.
CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing enables precise genetic modifications. However, its application to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains challenging due to the large size of the viral genome and the essential roles of key regulatory genes. Here, we establish an optimized CRISPR-Cas9 system for precise labeling and functional analysis of HCMV immediate early (IE) genes. By integrating a multifunctional cassette encoding an auxin-inducible degron (AID), a self-cleaving peptide (P2A), and GFP into the viral genome via homology-directed repair (HDR), we achieved efficient knock-ins without reliance on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) cloning, a labor-intensive and time-consuming approach. We optimized delivery strategies, donor template designs, and component ratios to enhance HDR efficiency, significantly improving knock-in success rates. This system enables real-time fluorescent tracking and inducible protein degradation, allowing temporal control of essential viral proteins through auxin-mediated depletion. Our approach provides a powerful tool for dissecting the dynamic roles of viral proteins throughout the HCMV life cycle, facilitating a deeper understanding of viral pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
Two novel, Gram-stain-negative, anaerobic, and non-motile bacterial strains, designated KFT8T and CG01T, were isolated from the feces of healthy individuals without diagnosed diseases and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both strains belong to the genus Bacteroides, with < 99.0% similarity in their 16S rRNA gene sequences to B. facilis NSJ-77T and B. nordii JCM 12987T. Within the genus Bacteroides, strain KFT8T exhibited the highest Orthologous Average Nucleotide Identity value of 94.7% and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 63.7% with B. ovatus ATCC 8483T, whereas strain CG01T showed the highest values of 95.3% and 63.3%, respectively, with B. nordii JCM 12987T. The values between the two novel strains were 74.8% and 21.4%, respectively, which are below the species delineation thresholds, supporting their classification as novel species. The major fatty acid of strain KFT8T was C18:1 ω9c, whereas strain CG01T predominantly contained summed feature 11 (comprising iso-C17:0 3OH and/or C18:2 DMA). The only respiratory quinone was MK-11, the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Both strains produced succinic acid and acetic acid as common metabolic end-products of fermentation, while lactic acid and formic acid were detected individually in each strain. Based on polyphasic characterization, strains KFT8T (= KCTC 15614T = JCM 36011T) and CG01T (= KCTC 15613T = JCM 36010T) represent two novel species within the genus Bacteroides, for which the names Bacteroides celer sp. nov. and Bacteroides mucinivorans sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. Additionally, genome-based analyses and phenotypic comparisons revealed that B. koreensis and B. kribbi represent the same strain, showing genomic relatedness to B. ovatus that exceeds the threshold for species delineation. Consequently, we propose the reclassification of B. koreensis
The anti-cancer effects of Cladonia borealis (an Arctic lichen) methanol extract (CBME) on human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells were investigated for the first time. The proliferation of the HCT116 cells treated with CBME significantly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry results indicated that treatment with CBME resulted in significant apoptosis in the HCT116 cells. Furthermore, immunoblotting and qRT-PCR results revealed the expression of apoptosis-related marker genes and indicated a significant downregulation of the apoptosis regulator B-cell lymphoma expression and upregulation of the cleaved form of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase as DNA repair and apoptosis regulators and central tumor suppressor p53. Therefore, CBME significantly inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in colon carcinoma cells. Collectively, these data suggested that CBME contained one or more compounds with anti-cancer effects and could be a potential therapeutic agent. Further studies are required to identify candidate compounds and understand the mechanism of action of CBME.
Citations
Citations
Citations
Citations
Citations
Citations
Citations
Citations