Journal of Microbiology

Journal Articles

Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS45 (Rv2615c) Promotes Recombinant Mycobacteria Intracellular Survival via Regulation of Innate Immunity, and Inhibition of Cell Apoptosis: Tao Xu , Chutong Wang , Minying Li , Jing Wei , Zixuan He , Zhongqing Qian , Xiaojing Wang , Hongtao Wang; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(1):49-62. Published online February 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00101-0

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is a significant global public health problem. Mycobacterium tuberculosis expresses a unique family of PE_PGRS proteins that have been implicated in pathogenesis. Despite numerous studies, the functions of most PE_PGRS proteins in the pathogenesis of mycobacterium infections remain unclear. PE_PGRS45 (Rv2615c) is only found in pathogenic mycobacteria. In this study, we successfully constructed a recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) strain which heterologously expresses the PE_PGRS45 protein. We found that overexpression of this cell wall-associated protein enhanced bacterial viability under stress in vitro and cell survival in macrophages. MS_PE_PGRS45 decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, and TNF-α. We also found that MS_PE_PGRS45 increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and altered macrophage-mediated immune responses. Furthermore, PE_PGRS45 enhanced the survival rate of M. smegmatis in macrophages by inhibiting cell apoptosis. Collectively, our findings show that PE_PGRS45 is a virulent factor actively involved in the interaction with the host macrophage.

Nano-encapsulation of naringinase produced by Trichoderma longibrachiatum ATCC18648 on thermally stable biopolymers for citrus juice debittering: Manal M. Housseiny , Heba I. Aboelmagd; J. Microbiol. 2019;57(6):521-531. Published online May 27, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-019-8528-6

Abstract: Characteristics of naringinase nano-encapsulated forms on different carrier materials (chitosan and alginate polymers) were investigated in this study. Screening of twelve fungal isolates for naringinase production indicated that Trichoderma longibrachiatum was the most promising. Grapefruit rind was used as a substrate containing naringin for naringinase production. TEM micrographs showed that chitosan nano-capsules were applied for the production of morphologically homogeneous enzymatic nano-particles with high enzyme encapsulation efficiency, small asymmetric sizes (from 15.09 to 27.07 nm with the mean of 21.8 nm) and rough surfaces compared to nano-encapsulated naringinase in alginate which showed nano-particle size (from 33.37 to 51.01 nm with the mean of 43.03 nm). It was revealed that the highest naringinase activity was found in case of chitosan nano-capsule naringinase compared to alginate nano-capsule one. Thermogram analysis (TGA) showed that the free enzyme loses about 92% of its weight at approximately 110°C, while the nanoencapsulated ones show more stability at higher temperatures. Conclusively, the nano-capsulation process improves the kinetics and operational stability so could be useful as a debittering agent for various thermal processing applications in citrus juices industries which makes the fruit juice more acceptable and cost-effective to the consumer.

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