Journal of Microbiology

Review

Minor and major circRNAs in virus and host genomes: Zhihao Lou , Rui Zhou , Yinghua Su , Chun Liu , Wenting Ruan , Che Ok Jeon , Xiao Han , Chun Lin , Baolei Jia; J. Microbiol. 2021;59(3):324-331. Published online February 23, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-021-1021-z

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5 Citations

Abstract: As a special type of noncoding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are prevalent in many organisms. They can serve as sponges for microRNAs and protein scaffolds, or templates for protein translation, making them linked to cellular homeostasis and disease progression. In recent years, circRNAs have been found to be abnormally expressed during the processes of viral infection and pathogenesis, and can help a virus escape the immune response of a host. Thus, they are now considered to play important functions in the invasion and development of viruses. Moreover, the potential application of circRNAs as biomarkers of viral infection or candidates for therapeutic targeting deserves consideration. This review summarizes circRNAs in the transcriptome, including their classification, production, functions, and value as biomarkers. This review paper also describes research progress on circRNAs in viral infection (mainly hepatitis B virus, HIV, and some human herpes viruses) and aims to provide new ideas for antiviral therapies targeting circRNAs.

Journal Articles

Azohydromonas aeria sp. nov., isolated from air: Han Xue , Chun-gen Piao , Dan-ran Bian , Min-wei Guo , Yong Li; J. Microbiol. 2020;58(7):543-549. Published online June 27, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-020-9423-x

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4 Citations

Abstract: A grey pink colored bacterium, strain t3-1-3T, was isolated from the air at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountain in Beijing, China. The cells are aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-sporeforming, motile and coccoid-rod shaped (0.9–1.2 × 1.9–2.1 μm). Strain t3-1-3T was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative and this strain grew at 4–42°C (optimum 28°C), a pH of 4.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and under 0–2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0–1% NaCl). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain t3-1-3T was closely related to Azohydromonas riparia UCM-11T (97.4% similarity), followed by Azohydromonas australica G1-2T (96.8%) and Azohydromonas ureilytica UCM-80T (96.7%). The genome of strain t3-1-3T contains 6,895 predicted protein-encoding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 62 tRNA genes and one sRNA gene, as well as five potential biosynthetic gene clusters, including clusters of genes coding for non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), bacteriocin and arylpolyene and two clusters of genes for terpene. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10.0% of the total) in strain t3-1-3T were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c, 37.8%), summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, 29.7%) and C16:0 (17.3%). Strain t3-1-3T contained ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids of strain t3-1-3T comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPG), an unidentified glycolipid (GL), an unidentified aminophospholipid (APL), two unidentified phospholipid (PL1-2) and five unidentified lipid (L1-5). The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 70.3%. The broader range of growth temperature, assimilation of malic acid and trisodium citrate, presence of C18:3ω6c and an unidentified glycolipid and absence of C12:0 2-OH and C16:0iso differentiate strain t3-1-3T from related species. Based on the taxonomic data presented in this study, we suggest that strain t3-1-3T represents a novel species within the genus Azohydromonas, for which the name Azohydromonas aeria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Azohydromonas aeria is t3-1-3T (= CFCC 13393T = LMG 30135T).

A histone deacetylase, MoHOS2 regulates asexual development and virulence in the rice blast fungus: Jongjune Lee , Jae-Joon Lee , Junhyun Jeon; J. Microbiol. 2019;57(12):1115-1125. Published online November 22, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-019-9363-5

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15 Citations

Abstract: Histone acetylation/deacetylation represent a general and efficient epigenetic mechanism through which fungal cells control gene expression. Here we report developmental requirement of MoHOS2-mediated histone deacetylation (HDAC) for the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Structural similarity and nuclear localization indicated that MoHOS2 is an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hos2, which is a member of class I histone deacetylases and subunit of Set3 complex. Deletion of MoHOS2 led to 25% reduction in HDAC activity, compared to the wild-type, confirming that it is a bona-fide HDAC. Lack of MoHOS2 caused decrease in radial growth and impinged dramatically on asexual sporulation. Such reduction in HDAC activity and phenotypic defects of ΔMohos2 were recapitulated by a single amino acid change in conserved motif that is known to be important for HDAC activity. Expression analysis revealed up-regulation of MoHOS2 and concomitant down-regulation of some of the key genes involved in asexual reproduction under sporulation-promoting condition. In addition, the deletion mutant exhibited defect in appressorium formation from both germ tube tip and hyphae. As a result, ΔMohos2 was not able to cause disease symptoms. Wound-inoculation showed that the mutant is compromised in its ability to grow inside host plants as well. We found that some of ROS detoxifying genes and known effector genes are de-regulated in the mutant. Taken together, our data suggest that MoHOS2-dependent histone deacetylation is pivotal for proper timing and induction of transcription of the genes that coordinate developmental changes and host infection in M. oryzae.

Reviews

REVIEW] Zika virus: An emerging flavivirus: Sang-Im Yun , Young-Min Lee; J. Microbiol. 2017;55(3):204-219. Published online February 28, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-017-7063-6

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80 Citations

Abstract: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a previously little-known flavivirus closely related to Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, dengue, and yellow fever viruses, all of which are primarily transmitted by blood-sucking mosquitoes. Since its discovery in Uganda in 1947, ZIKV has continued to expand its geographic range, from equatorial Africa and Asia to the Pacific Islands, then further afield to South and Central America and the Caribbean. Currently, ZIKV is actively circulating not only in much of Latin America and its neighbors but also in parts of the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. Although ZIKV infection generally causes only mild symptoms in some infected individuals, it is associated with a range of neuroimmunological disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, and myelitis. Recently, maternal ZIKV infection during pregnancy has been linked to neonatal malformations,
result
ing in various degrees of congenital abnormalities, microcephaly, and even abortion. Despite its emergence as an important public health problem, however, little is known about ZIKV biology, and neither vaccine nor drug is available to control ZIKV infection. This article provides a brief introduction to ZIKV with a major emphasis on its molecular virology, in order to help facilitate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

MINIREVIEW] Transcriptional control of sexual development in Cryptococcus neoformans: Matthew E. Mead , Christina M. Hull; J. Microbiol. 2016;54(5):339-346. Published online April 20, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-6080-1

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6 Citations

Abstract: Developmental processes are essential for the normal life cycles of many pathogenic fungi, and they can facilitate survival in challenging environments, including the human host. Sexual development of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans not only produces infectious particles (spores) but has also enabled the evolution of new disease-related traits such as drug resistance. Transcription factor networks are essential to the development and pathogenesis of C. neoformans, and a variety of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins control both key developmental transitions and virulence by regulating the expression of their target genes. In this review we discuss the roles of known transcription factors that harbor important connections to both development and virulence. Recent studies of these transcription factors have identified a common theme in which metabolic, stress, and other responses that are required for sexual development appear to have been co-opted for survival in the human host, thus facilitating pathogenesis. Future work elucidating the connection between development and pathogenesis will provide vital insights into the evolution of complex traits in eukaryotes as well as mechanisms that may be used to combat fungal pathogens.

REVIEW] Innate host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans: Camaron Hole , Floyd L. Wormley Jr.; J. Microbiol. 2016;54(3):202-211. Published online February 27, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-5625-7

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20 Citations

Abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans, the predominant etiological agent of cryptococcosis, can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most common disseminated fungal infection in AIDS patients, and remains the third most common invasive fungal infection among organ transplant recipients. The administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has
result
ed in a decrease in the number of cases of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in developed countries, but in developing countries where HAART is not readily available, Cryptococcus is still a major concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies and/or vaccines to combat cryptococcosis. Understanding the protective immune responses against Cryptococcus is critical for development of vaccines and immunotherapies to combat cryptococcosis. Consequently, this review focuses on our current knowledge of protective immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on innate immune responses.

REVIEW] Plasma membrane organization promotes virulence of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans: Lois M. Douglas , James B. Konopka; J. Microbiol. 2016;54(3):178-191. Published online February 27, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-5621-y

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29 Citations

Abstract: Candida albicans is a human fungal pathogen capable of causing lethal systemic infections. The plasma membrane plays key roles in virulence because it not only functions as a protective barrier, it also mediates dynamic functions including secretion of virulence factors, cell wall synthesis, invasive hyphal morphogenesis, endocytosis, and nutrient uptake. Consistent with this functional complexity, the plasma membrane is composed of a wide array of lipids and proteins. These components are organized into distinct domains that will be the topic of this review. Some of the plasma membrane domains that will be described are known to act as scaffolds or barriers to diffusion, such as MCC/eisosomes, septins, and sites of contact with the endoplasmic reticulum. Other zones mediate dynamic processes, including secretion, endocytosis, and a special region at hyphal tips that facilitates rapid growth. The highly organized architecture of the plasma membrane facilitates the coordination of diverse functions and promotes the pathogenesis of C. albicans.

MINIREVIEW] The cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway in pathogenic basidiomycete fungi: Connections with iron homeostasis: Jaehyuk Choi , Won Hee Jung , James W. Kronstad; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(9):579-587. Published online August 1, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5247-5

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43 Citations

Abstract: A number of pathogenic species of basidiomycete fungi are either life-threatening pathogens of humans or major economic pests for crop production. Sensing the host is a key aspect of pathogen proliferation during disease, and signal transduction pathways are critically important for detecting environmental conditions and facilitating adaptation. This review focuses on the contributions of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans, a species that causes meningitis in humans, and Ustilago maydis, a model phytopathogen that causes a smut disease on maize. Environmental sensing by the cAMP/PKA pathway regulates the production of key virulence traits in C. neoformans including the polysaccharide capsule and melanin. For U. maydis, the pathway controls the dimorphic transition from budding growth to the filamentous cell type required for proliferation in plant tissue. We discuss recent advances in identifying new components of the cAMP/PKA pathway in these pathogens and highlight an emerging theme that pathway signaling influences iron acquisition.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ts

Functional properties of the major outer membrane protein in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Yih-Yuan Chen , Han-Chiang Wu , Juey-Wen Lin , Shu-Fen Weng; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(8):535-543. Published online July 31, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5202-5

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8 Citations

Abstract: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen that is closely associated with high morbidity and mortality in debilitated and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, to investigate the pathogenesis mechanism is urgently required. However, there are very few studies to evaluate the functional properties of outer membrane protein, which may contribute to the pathogenesis in S. maltophilia. In this study, three abundant proteins in the outer membrane fraction of S. maltophilia were identified by liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry as OmpW1, MopB, and a hypothetical protein. MopB, a member of the OmpA family, was firstly chosen for functional investigation in this study because many OmpA-family proteins are known to be involved in pathogenesis and offer potential as vaccines. Membrane fractionation analyses demonstrated that MopB was indeed the most abundant outer membrane protein (OMP) in S. maltophilia. For functional studies, the mopB mutant of S. maltophilia (SmMopB) was constructed by insertional mutation. MopB deficiency resulted in a change in the protein composition of OMPs and altered the architecture of the outer membrane. The SmMopB strain exhibited reduced cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblasts and was more sensitive to numerous stresses, including human serum, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide compared with wildtype S. maltophilia. These results suggest that MopB may be a good candidate for the design of vaccines or anti-MopB drugs for controlling serious nosocomial infections of multidrug- resistant S. maltophilia, especially in immunosuppressed patients.

Morphological changes in human gastric epithelial cells induced by nuclear targeting of Helicobacter pylori urease subunit A: Jung Hwa Lee , So Hyun Jun , Jung-Min Kim , Seung Chul Baik , Je Chul Lee; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(6):406-414. Published online May 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5085-5

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19 Citations

Abstract: Nuclear targeting of bacterial proteins and their pathological effects on host cells are an emerging pathogenic mechanism in bacteria. We have previously reported that urease subunit A (UreA) of Helicobacter pylori targets the nuclei of COS-7 cells through nuclear localization signals (NLSs). This study further investigated whether UreA of H. pylori targets the nuclei of gastric epithelial cells and then induces molecular and cellular changes in the host cells. H. pylori 26695 strain produced and secreted outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). UreA was translocated into gastric epithelial AGS cells through outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and then targeted the nuclei of AGS cells. Nuclear targeting of rUreA did not induce host cell death, but resulted in morphological changes, such as cellular elongation, in AGS cells. In contrast, AGS cells treated with rUreAΔNLS proteins did not show this morphological change. Next generation sequencing revealed that nuclear targeting of UreA differentially regulated 102 morphogenesis- related genes, of which 67 and 35 were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Our results suggest that nuclear targeting of H. pylori UreA induces both molecular and cellular changes in gastric epithelial cells.

Review

Against friend and foe: Type 6 effectors in plant-associated bacteria: Choong-Min Ryu; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(3):201-208. Published online March 3, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-5055-y

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31 Citations

Abstract: Bacterial secretion systems play critical roles in communication with neighboring bacteria and in the modulation of host immune responses via the secretion of small proteins called effectors. Several secretion systems have been identified and these are denoted types I-II. Of these, the type VI secretion system (T6SS) and its effectors were only recently elucidated. Most studies on the role and significance of the T6SS and its effectors have focused on human pathogens. In this review, type 6 effectors from plant-associated beneficial and pathogenic bacteria are discussed, including effectors from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Dickeya dadanti, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Pectobacterium atroseptium, Ralstonia solanacearum, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas protegens. Type 6 effectors act in symbiosis, biofilm formation, virulence, and interbacterial competition. Understanding the impact of type 6 effectors on pathogenesis will contribute to the management of bacterial pathogens in crop plants by allowing the manipulation of intra and inter-specific interactions.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Pneumococcal wall teichoic acid is required for the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae in murine models: Hongmei Xu , Libin Wang , Jian Huang , Yanqing Zhang , Feng Ma , Jianmin Wang , Wenchun Xu , Xuemei Zhang , Yibing Yin , Kaifeng Wu; J. Microbiol. 2015;53(2):147-154. Published online January 28, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-015-4616-4

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7 Citations

Abstract: Pneumococcal asymptomatic colonization of the respiratory tracts is a major risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. We have previously shown that pneumococcal wall teichoic acid (WTA) was involved in pneumococcal infection of sepsis and adherence to epithelial and endothelial cells. In this study, we investigated the contribution of pneumococcal WTA to bacterial colonization and dissemination in murine models. The result showed that nasopharynx colonizing D39 bacterial cells have a distinct phenotype showing an increased exposure of teichoic acids relative to medium-grown bacteria. The WTA-deficient mutants were impaired in their colonization to the nasopharynx and lungs, and led to a mild inflammation in the lungs at 36 h post-inoculation. Pretreatment of the murine nares with WTA reduced the ability of wild type D39 bacteria to colonize the nasopharynx. In addition, the WTA-deficient strain was impaired in its ability to invade the blood and brain following intranasal administration. WTA-deficient D39 strain was reduced in C3 deposition but was more susceptible to the killing by the neutrophils as compared with its parent strain. Our results also demonstrated that the WTA enhanced pneumococcal colonization and dissemination independently of the host strains. These results indicate that WTA plays an important role in pneumococcal pathogenesis, both in colonization and dissemination processes.

Review

REVIEW] The Role of Type III Secretion System 2 in Vibrio parahaemolyticus Pathogenicity: Hyeilin Ham , Kim Orth; J. Microbiol. 2012;50(5):719-725. Published online November 4, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-012-2550-2

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46 Citations

Abstract: Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a Gram-negative marine bacterial pathogen, is emerging as a major cause of food-borne illnesses worldwide due to the consumption of raw seafood leading to diseases including gastroenteritis, wound infection, and septicemia. The bacteria utilize toxins and type III secretion system (T3SS) to trigger virulence. T3SS is a multi-subunit needle-like apparatus used to deliver bacterial proteins, termed effectors, into the host cytoplasm which then target various eukaryotic signaling pathways. V. parahaemolyticus carries two T3SSs in each of its two chromosomes, named T3SS1 and T3SS2, both of which play crucial yet distinct roles during infection: T3SS1 causes cytotoxicity whereas T3SS2 is mainly associated with enterotoxicity. Each T3SS secretes a unique set of effectors that contribute to virulence by acting on different host targets and serving different functions. Emerging studies on T3SS2 of V. parahaemolyticus, reveal its regulation, translocation, discovery, characterization of its effectors, and development of animal models to understand the enterotoxicity. This review on recent findings for T3SS2 of V. parahaemolyticus highlights a novel mechanism of invasion that appears to be conserved by other marine bacteria.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ts

NOTE] Biological and Genetic Properties of SA14-14-2, a Live-Attenuated Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine That Is Currently Available for Humans: Byung-Hak Song , Gil-Nam Yun , Jin-Kyoung Kim , Sang-Im Yun , Young-Min Lee; J. Microbiol. 2012;50(4):698-706. Published online August 25, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-012-2336-6

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28 Citations

Abstract: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a major cause of acute encephalitis, a disease of significance for global public health. In the absence of antiviral therapy to treat JEV infection, vaccination is the most effective method of preventing the disease. In JE-endemic areas, the most widely used vaccine to date is SA14-14-2, a live-attenuated virus derived from its virulent parent SA14. In this study, we describe the biological properties of SA14-14-2, both in vitro and in vivo, and report the genetic characteristics of its genomic RNA. In BHK-21 (hamster kidney) cells, SA14-14-2 displayed a slight delay in plaque formation and growth kinetics when compared to a virulent JEV strain, CNU/LP2, with no decrease in maximum virus production. The delay in viral growth was also observed in two other cell lines, SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) and C6/36 (mosquito larva), which are potentially relevant to JEV pathogenesis and transmission. In 3-week-old ICR mice, SA14-14-2 did not cause any symptoms or death after either intracerebral or peripheral inoculation with a maximum dose of up to 1.5×103 plaqueforming units (PFU) per mouse. The SA14-14-2 genome consisted of 10977 nucleotides, one nucleotide longer than all the previously reported genomes of SA14-14-2, SA14 and two other SA14-derived attenuated viruses. This difference was due to an insertion of one G nucleotide at position 10701 in the 3' noncoding region. Also, we noted a significant number of nucleotide and/or amino acid substitutions throughout the genome of SA14-14-2, except for the prM protein-coding region, that differed from SA14 and/or the other two attenuated viruses. Our results, together with others’, provide a foundation not only for the study of JEV virulence but also for the development of new and improved vaccines for JEV.

Replication and Pathogenesis of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Virus in Mammalian Models: Donghyok Kwon , Kyeongcheol Shin , Seungtae Kim , Yooncheol Ha , Jang-Hoon Choi , Jeong Seon Yang , Joo-Yeon Lee , Chanhee Chae , Hee-Bok Oh , Chun Kang; J. Microbiol. 2010;48(5):657-662. Published online November 3, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-010-0120-z

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19 Citations

Abstract: This study aimed to characterize the replication and pathogenic properties of a Korean pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus isolate in ferrets and mice. Ferrets infected with A/Korea/01/2009 (H1N1) virus showed mild clinical signs. The virus replicated well in lungs and slightly in brains with no replication in any other organs. Severe bronchopneumonia and thickening of alveolar walls were detected in the lungs. Viral antigens were detected in the bronchiolar epithelial cells, in peribronchial glands with severe peribronchitis and in cells present in the alveoli. A/Korea/01/2009 (H1N1) virus-infected mice showed weight loss and pathological lung lesions including perivascular cuffing, interstitial pneumonia and alveolitis. The virus replicated highly in the lungs and slightly in the nasal tissues. Viral antigens were detected in bronchiolar epithelial cells, pneumocytes and interstitial macrophages. However, seasonal H1N1 influenza virus did not replicate in the lungs of ferrets, and viral antigens were not detected. Thus, this Korean pandemic (H1N1) 2009 isolate infected the lungs of ferrets and mice successfully and caused more pathological lesions than did the seasonal influenza virus.

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