Journal of Microbiology

Reviews

Biological and Chemical Approaches for Controlling Harmful Microcystis Blooms: Wonjae Kim, Yerim Park, Jaejoon Jung, Che Ok Jeon, Masanori Toyofuku, Jiyoung Lee, Woojun Park; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(3):249-260. Published online April 8, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00115-2

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Abstract: The proliferation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa has become an increasingly serious problem in freshwater ecosystems due to climate change and eutrophication. Microcystis-blooms in freshwater generate compounds with unpleasant odors, reduce the levels of dissolved O₂, and excrete microcystins into aquatic ecosystems, potentially harming various organisms, including humans. Various chemical and biological approaches have thus been developed to mitigate the impact of the blooms, though issues such as secondary pollution and high economic costs have not been adequately addressed. Red clays and H₂O₂ are conventional treatment methods that have been employed worldwide for the mitigation of the blooms, while novel approaches, such as the use of plant or microbial metabolites and antagonistic bacteria, have also recently been proposed. Many of these methods rely on the generation of reactive oxygen species, the inhibition of photosynthesis, and/or the disruption of cellular membranes as their mechanisms of action, which may also negatively impact other freshwater microbiota. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms of anticyanobacterial chemicals and antagonistic bacteria remain unclear. This review thus discusses both conventional and innovative approaches for the management of M. aeruginosa in freshwater bodies.

Coordinated regulation of interferon and inflammasome signaling pathways by SARS-CoV-2 proteins: Na-Eun Kim , Yoon-Jae Song; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(3):300-307. Published online January 28, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-1502-8

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Abstract: Type I and III interferons (IFNs) and the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. While optimal IFN and inflammasome responses are essential for limiting SARS-CoV-2 infection, aberrant activation of these innate immune responses is associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis. In this review, we focus our discussion on recent findings on SARS-CoV-2-induced type I and III IFNs and NLRP3 inflammasome responses and the viral proteins regulating these mechanisms.

Journal Article

Geographic diversity in Helicobacter pylori oipA genotype between Korean and United States isolates: Aeryun Kim , Jing Lai , D. Scott Merrell , Ji-Hye Kim , Hanfu Su , Jeong-Heon Cha; J. Microbiol. 2021;59(12):1125-1132. Published online October 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-021-1450-8

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Abstract: Helicobacter pylori outer membrane inflammatory protein A (OipA) was originally named for its role in inducing inflammation in the host, as evidenced by high mucosal IL-8 levels. Expression of OipA is regulated by phase variation of a CT dinucleotide-repeat located in the 5􍿁􀁇region of the gene. However, little is known about OipA geographic diversity across isolates. To address this gap, we conducted a large-scale molecular epidemiologic analysis using H. pylori clinical isolates obtained from two geographically distinct populations: Korea and the United States (US). Most Korean isolates (98.7%) possessed two copies of oipA located at two specific loci (A and B) while all US isolates contained only one copy of oipA at locus A. Furthermore, most Korean oipA (94.8%) possessed three or less CT repeats while most US oipA (96.6%) contained five or more CT repeats. Among the two copies, all Korean H. pylori possessed at least one oipA ‘on’ phase variant while the single copy of oipA in US isolates showed 56.2% ‘on’ and 43.8% ‘off.’ Thus, host differences seem to have driven geographic diversification of H. pylori across these populations such that OipA expression in US isolates is still regulated by phase variation with 5 or more CT repeats, while Korean isolates always express OipA; duplication of the oipA combined with a reduction of CT repeats to three or less ensures continued expression. En masse, these findings suggest that diversity in the oipA gene copy number, CT repeats, and phase variation among H. pylori from different populations may confer a benefit in adaptation to particular host populations.

Published Erratum

Erratum to: Protective and Pathogenic Role of Humoral Responses in COVID‑19: Uni Park , Nam-Hyuk Cho; J. Microbiol. 2023;61(7):713-713.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-023-00058-0

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