scholarly journals Metatranscriptome analysis of the vaginal microbiota reveals potential mechanisms for protection against metronidazole in bacterial vaginosis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Luo Deng ◽  
Cornelia Gottschick ◽  
Sabin Bhuju ◽  
Clarissa Masur ◽  
Christoph Abels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Recent Clinical Study ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Cas Genes

AbstractBacterial vaginosis (BV) is a prevalent multifactorial disease of women in their reproductive years characterized by a shift from the Lactobacillus spp. dominated microbial community towards a taxonomically diverse anaerobic community. For unknown reasons, some women do not respond to therapy. In our recent clinical study, out of 37 women diagnosed with BV, 31 were successfully treated with metronidazole, while 6 still had BV after treatment. To discover possible reasons for the lack of response in those patients, we performed a metatranscriptome analysis of their vaginal microbiota, comparing them to patients who responded. Seven out of 8 Cas genes of Gardnerella vaginalis were highly up-regulated in non-responding patients. Cas genes, in addition to protecting against phages, might be involved in DNA repair thus mitigating the bactericidal effect of DNA damaging agents like metronidazole. In the second part of our study, we analyzed the vaginal metatranscriptomes of four patients over three months and showed high in vivo expression of genes for pore-forming toxins in L. iners and of genes encoding enzymes for the production of hydrogen peroxide and D-lactate in L. crispatus.

scholarly journals Metatranscriptome Analysis of the Vaginal Microbiota Reveals Potential Mechanisms for Protection against Metronidazole in Bacterial Vaginosis

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Luo Deng ◽  
Cornelia Gottschick ◽  
Sabin Bhuju ◽  
Clarissa Masur ◽  
Christoph Abels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Vaginal Fluid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Cas Genes

ABSTRACT Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a prevalent multifactorial disease of women in their reproductive years characterized by a shift from the Lactobacillus species-dominated microbial community toward a taxonomically diverse anaerobic community. For unknown reasons, some women do not respond to therapy. In our recent clinical study, among 37 women diagnosed with BV, 31 were successfully treated with metronidazole, while 6 still had BV after treatment. To discover possible reasons for the lack of response in those patients, we performed a metatranscriptome analysis of their vaginal microbiota, comparing them to the patients who responded. Seven of 8 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) genes of Gardnerella vaginalis were highly upregulated in nonresponding patients. Cas genes, in addition to protecting against phages, might be involved in DNA repair, thus mitigating the bactericidal effect of DNA-damaging agents such as metronidazole. In the second part of our study, we analyzed the vaginal metatranscriptomes of four patients over 3 months and showed high in vivo expression of genes for pore-forming toxins in L. iners and of genes encoding enzymes for the production of hydrogen peroxide and d-lactate in L. crispatus. IMPORTANCE Bacterial vaginosis is a serious issue for women in their reproductive years. Although it can usually be cured by antibiotics, the recurrence rate is very high, and some women do not respond to antibiotic therapy. The reasons for that are not known. Therefore, we undertook a study to detect the activity of the complete microbiota in the vaginal fluid of women who responded to antibiotic therapy and compared it to the activity of the microbiota in women who did not respond. We found that one of the most important pathogens in bacterial vaginosis, Gardnerella vaginalis, has activated genes that can repair the DNA damage caused by the antibiotic in those women that do not respond to therapy. Suppressing these genes might be a possibility to improve the antibiotic therapy of bacterial vaginosis.

scholarly journals In vivo transcriptome analysis provides insights into host-dependent expression of virulence factors by Yersinia entomophaga MH96, during infection of Galleria mellonella

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber R Paulson ◽  
Maureen O’Callaghan ◽  
Xue-Xian Zhang ◽  
Paul B Rainey ◽  
Mark R H Hurst
Keyword(s):  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Functional Enrichment ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Insecticidal Toxin ◽  
Heat Stable ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Cell Densities

Abstract The function of microbes can be inferred from knowledge of genes specifically expressed in natural environments. Here, we report the in vivo transcriptome of the entomopathogenic bacterium Yersinia entomophaga MH96, captured during initial, septicemic, and pre-cadaveric stages of intrahemocoelic infection in Galleria mellonella. A total of 1285 genes were significantly upregulated by MH96 during infection; 829 genes responded to in vivo conditions during at least one stage of infection, 289 responded during two stages of infection, and 167 transcripts responded throughout all three stages of infection compared to in vitro conditions at equivalent cell densities. Genes upregulated during the earliest infection stage included components of the insecticidal toxin complex Yen-TC (chi1, chi2, and yenC1), genes for rearrangement hotspot element containing protein yenC3, cytolethal distending toxin cdtAB, and vegetative insecticidal toxin vip2. Genes more highly expressed throughout the infection cycle included the putative heat-stable enterotoxin yenT and three adhesins (usher-chaperone fimbria, filamentous hemagglutinin, and an AidA-like secreted adhesin). Clustering and functional enrichment of gene expression data also revealed expression of genes encoding type III and VI secretion system-associated effectors. Together these data provide insight into the pathobiology of MH96 and serve as an important resource supporting efforts to identify novel insecticidal agents.

scholarly journals Age-dependent changes in electrophysiology and calcium handling – implications for pediatric cardiac research

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luther M. Swift ◽  
Morgan Burke ◽  
Devon Guerrelli ◽  
Manelle Ramadan ◽  
Marissa Reilly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Cardiac Electrophysiology ◽  
Calcium Handling ◽  
Cell Coupling ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Cardiac Maturation

ABSTRACTRationaleThe heart continues to develop and mature after birth and into adolescence. Accordingly, cardiac maturation is likely to include a progressive refinement in both organ morphology and function during the postnatal period. Yet, age-dependent changes in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling have not yet been fully characterized.ObjectiveThe objective of this study, was to examine the relationship between cardiac maturation, electrophysiology, and calcium handling throughout postnatal development in a rat model.MethodsPostnatal rat cardiac maturation was determined by measuring the expression of genes involved in cell-cell coupling, electrophysiology, and calcium handling. In vivo electrocardiograms were recorded from neonatal, juvenile, and adult animals. Simultaneous dual optical mapping of transmembrane voltage and calcium transients was performed on isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat hearts (postnatal day 0–3, 4-7, 8-14, adult).ResultsYounger, immature hearts displayed slowed electrical conduction, prolonged action potential duration and increased ventricular refractoriness. Slowed calcium handling in the immature heart increased the propensity for calcium transient alternans which corresponded to alterations in the expression of genes encoding calcium handling proteins. Developmental changes in cardiac electrophysiology were associated with the altered expression of genes encoding potassium channels and intercalated disc proteins.ConclusionUsing an intact whole heart model, this study highlights chronological changes in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling throughout postnatal development. Results of this study can serve as a comprehensive baseline for future studies focused on pediatric cardiac research, safety assessment and/or preclinical testing using rodent models.

scholarly journals Effects of Cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris during Its Infection to Silkworm Larvae

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 681
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Kato ◽  
Konomi Nishimura ◽  
Ahmad Suparmin ◽  
Kazuho Ikeo ◽  
Enoch Y. Park
Keyword(s):  
Cordyceps Militaris ◽  
Silkworm Larvae ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Biosynthesis Gene Cluster ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Cuticular Proteins ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
In Vivo Growth

Cordyceps militaris produces cordycepin, a secondary metabolite that exhibits numerous bioactive properties. However, cordycepin pharmacology in vivo is not yet understood. In this study, the roles of cordycepin in C. militaris during its infection were investigated. After the injection of conidia, C. militaris NBRC100741 killed silkworm larvae more rapidly than NBRC103752. At 96 and 120 h, Cmcns genes (Cmcns1–4), which are part of the cordycepin biosynthesis gene cluster, were expressed in fat bodies and cuticles. Thus, cordycepin may be produced in the infection of silkworm larvae. Further, cordycepin enhanced pathogenicity toward silkworm larvae of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, that are also entomopathogenic fungi and do not produce cordycepin. In addition, by RNA-seq analysis, the increased expression of the gene encoding a lipoprotein 30K-8 (Bmlp20, KWMTBOMO11934) and decreased expression of genes encoding cuticular proteins (KWMTBOMO13140, KWMTBOMO13167) and a serine protease inhibitor (serpin29, KWMTBOMO08927) were observed when cordycepin was injected into silkworm larvae. This result suggests that cordycepin may aid the in vivo growth of C. militaris in silkworm larvae by the influence of the expression of some genes in silkworm larvae.

scholarly journals Nrg1 Is a Transcriptional Repressor for Glucose Repression of STA1 Gene Expression inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 2044-2050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok Hee Park ◽  
Sang Seok Koh ◽  
Jae Hwan Chun ◽  
Hye Jin Hwang ◽  
Hyen Sam Kang
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Glucose Repression ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Dnase I Footprinting ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT Expression of genes encoding starch-degrading enzymes is regulated by glucose repression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have identified a transcriptional repressor, Nrg1, in a genetic screen designed to reveal negative factors involved in the expression of STA1, which encodes a glucoamylase. TheNRG1 gene encodes a 25-kDa C2H2zinc finger protein which specifically binds to two regions in the upstream activation sequence of the STA1 gene, as judged by gel retardation and DNase I footprinting analyses. Disruption of theNRG1 gene causes a fivefold increase in the level of theSTA1 transcript in the presence of glucose. The expression of NRG1 itself is inhibited in the absence of glucose. DNA-bound LexA-Nrg1 represses transcription of a target gene 10.7-fold in a glucose-dependent manner, and this repression is abolished in bothssn6 and tup1 mutants. Two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase pull-down experiments show an interaction of Nrg1 with Ssn6 both in vivo and in vitro. These findings indicate that Nrg1 acts as a DNA-binding repressor and mediates glucose repression of the STA1 gene expression by recruiting the Ssn6-Tup1 complex.

scholarly journals YtxR, a Conserved LysR-Like Regulator That Induces Expression of Genes Encoding a Putative ADP-Ribosyltransferase Toxin Homologue in Yersinia enterocolitica

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (23) ◽  
pp. 8033-8043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace L. Axler-DiPerte ◽  
Virginia L. Miller ◽  
Andrew J. Darwin
Keyword(s):  
Yersinia Enterocolitica ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Photorhabdus Luminescens ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Dnase I Footprinting ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Adp Ribosyltransferase ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT Yersinia enterocolitica causes human gastroenteritis, and many isolates have been classified as either “American” or “non-American” strains based on their geographic prevalence and virulence properties. In this study we describe identification of a transcriptional regulator that controls expression of the Y. enterocolitica ytxAB genes. The ytxAB genes have the potential to encode an ADP-ribosylating toxin with similarity to pertussis toxin. However, a ytxAB null mutation did not affect virulence in mice. Nevertheless, the ytxAB genes are conserved in many Y. enterocolitica strains. Interestingly, American and non-American strains have different ytxAB alleles encoding proteins that are only 50 to 60% identical. To obtain further insight into the ytxAB locus, we investigated whether it is regulated as part of a known or novel regulon. Transposon mutagenesis identified a LysR-like regulator, which we designated YtxR. Expression of ytxR from a nonnative promoter increased Φ(ytxA-lacZ) operon fusion expression up to 35-fold. YtxR also activated expression of its own promoter. DNase I footprinting showed that a His6-YtxR fusion protein directly interacted with the ytxA and ytxR control regions at similar distances upstream of their probable transcription initiation sites, identified by primer extension. Deletion analysis demonstrated that removal of the regions protected by His6-YtxR in vitro eliminated YtxR-dependent induction in vivo. The ytxAB locus is not present in most Yersinia species. In contrast, ytxR is conserved in multiple Yersinia species, as well as in the closely related organisms Photorhabdus luminescens and Photorhabdus asymbiotica. These observations suggest that YtxR may play a conserved role involving regulation of other genes besides ytxAB.

scholarly journals Susceptibility ofGardnerella vaginalisBiofilms to Natural Antimicrobials Subtilosin,ε-Poly-L-Lysine, and Lauramide Arginine Ethyl Ester

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yevgeniy Turovskiy ◽  
Thomson Cheryian ◽  
Ammar Algburi ◽  
Ruth E. Wirawan ◽  
Paul Takhistov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Ethyl Ester ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Obstetric Complications ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Vaginal Infection ◽  
Natural Antimicrobials ◽  
Rapid Methods ◽  
Plate Counts

Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection associated with numerous gynecological and obstetric complications. This condition is characterized by the presence of thick adherent vaginal biofilms, composed mainly ofGardnerella vaginalis. This organism is thought to be the primary aetiological cause of the infection paving the way for various opportunists to colonize the niche. Previously, we reported that the natural antimicrobials subtilosin,ε-poly-L-lysine, and lauramide arginine ethyl ester selectively inhibit the growth of this pathogen. In this study, we used plate counts to evaluate the efficacy of these antimicrobials against established biofilms ofG. vaginalis. Additionally, we validated and compared two rapid methods (ATP viability and resazurin assays) for the assessment of cell viability in the antimicrobial-treatedG. vaginalisbiofilms. Out of the tested antimicrobials, lauramide arginine ethyl ester had the strongest bactericidal effect, followed by subtilosin, with clindamycin and polylysine showing the weakest effect. In comparison to plate counts, ATP viability and resazurin assays considerably underestimated the bactericidal effect of some antimicrobials. Our results indicate that these assays should be validated for every new application.

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