Journal of Microbiology

Journal Article

Furan-based Chalcone Annihilates the Multi-Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Protects Zebra Fish Against its Infection: Santosh Pushpa Ramya Ranjan Nayak , Catharine Basty , Seenivasan Boopathi , Loganathan Sumathi Dhivya , Khaloud Mohammed Alarjani , Mohamed Ragab Abdel Gawwad , Raghda Hager , Muthu Kumaradoss Kathiravan , Jesu Arockiaraj; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(2):75-89. Published online February 21, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00103-6

Abstract: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multi-drug-resistant bacteria, is becoming a serious public health concern. This bacterium infects immunocompromised patients and has a high fatality rate. Both naturally and synthetically produced chalcones are known to have a wide array of biological activities. The antibacterial properties of synthetically produced chalcone were studied against P. aeruginosa. In vitro, study of the compound (chalcone derivative named DKO1), also known as (2E)-1-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one, had substantial antibacterial and biofilm disruptive action. DKO1 effectively shielded against P. aeruginosa-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in zebrafish larvae. In adult zebrafish, the treatment enhanced the chances of survivability and reduced the sickness-like behaviors. Gene expression, biochemical analysis, and histopathology studies found that proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS) were down regulated; antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels increased, and histoarchitecture was restored in zebrafish. The data indicate that DKO1 is an effective antibacterial agent against P. aeruginosa demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.

Review

Current status and perspectives on vaccine development against dengue virus infection: Jisang Park , Ju Kim , Yong-Suk Jang; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(3):247-254. Published online February 14, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-1625-y

Abstract: Dengue virus (DENV) consists of four serotypes in the family Flaviviridae and is a causative agent of dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome. DENV is transmitted by mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus, and is mainly observed in areas where vector mosquitoes live. The number of dengue cases reported by the World Health Organization increased more than 8-fold over the last two decades from 505,430 in 2000 to over 2.4 million in 2010 to 5.2 million in 2019. Although vaccine is the most effective
method
against DENV, only one commercialized vaccine exists, and it cannot be administered to children under 9 years of age. Currently, many researchers are working to resolve the various problems hindering the development of effective dengue vaccines; understanding of the viral antigen configuration would provide insight into the development of effective vaccines against DENV infection. In this review, the current status and perspectives on effective vaccine development for DENV are examined. In addition, a plausible direction for effective vaccine development against DENV is suggested.

Journal Article

Potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of TICbf-14, a peptide with increased stability against trypsin: Liping Wang , Xiaoyun Liu , Xinyue Ye , Chenyu Zhou , Wenxuan Zhao , Changlin Zhou , Lingman Ma; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(1):89-99. Published online December 29, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-1368-9

Abstract: The poor stability of peptides against trypsin largely limits their development as potential antibacterial agents. Here, to obtain a peptide with increased trypsin stability and potent antibacterial activity, TICbf-14 derived from the cationic peptide Cbf-14 was designed by the addition of disulfide-bridged hendecapeptide (CWTKSIPPKPC) loop. Subsequently, the trypsin stability and antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of this peptide were evaluated. The possible mechanisms underlying its mode of action were also clarified. The results showed that TICbf-14 exhibited elevated trypsin inhibitory activity and effectively mitigated lung histopathological damage in bacteria-infected mice by reducing the bacterial counts, further inhibiting the systemic dissemination of bacteria and host inflammation. Additionally, TICbf-14 significantly repressed bacterial swimming motility and notably inhibited biofilm formation. Considering the mode of action, we observed that TICbf-14 exhibited a potent membrane-disruptive mechanism, which was attributable to its destructive effect on ionic bridges between divalent cations and LPS of the bacterial membrane. Overall, TICbf-14, a bifunctional peptide with both antimicrobial and trypsin inhibitory activity, is highly likely to become an ideal candidate for drug development against bacteria.

Search