scholarly journals Characterization of the Role of a Non-GPCR Membrane-Bound CFEM Protein in the Pathogenicity and Germination of Botrytis cinerea

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1043
Author(s):  
Gulab Chand Arya ◽  
Dhruv Aditya Srivastava ◽  
Eswari P. J. Pandaranayaka ◽  
Ekaterina Manasherova ◽  
Dov Bernard Prusky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
The Common ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, is considered a major cause of postharvest losses in a wide range of crops. The common fungal extracellular membrane protein (CFEM), containing a conserved eight-cysteine pattern, was found exclusively in fungi. Previous studies in phytopathogenic fungi have demonstrated the role of membrane-bound and secreted CFEM-containing proteins in different aspects of fungal virulence. However, non-G protein-coupled receptor (non-GPCR) membrane CFEM proteins have not been studied yet in phytopathogenic fungi. In the present study, we have identified a non-GPCR membrane-bound CFEM-containing protein, Bcin07g03260, in the B. cinerea genome, and generated deletion mutants, ΔCFEM-Bcin07g03260, to study its potential role in physiology and virulence. Three independent ΔCFEM-Bcin07g03260 mutants showed significantly reduced progression of a necrotic lesion on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves. Further analysis of the mutants revealed significant reduction (approximately 20–30%) in conidial germination and consequent germ tube elongation compared with the WT. Our data complements a previous study of secreted ΔCFEM1 mutants of B. cinerea that showed reduced progression of necrotic lesions on leaves, without effect on germination. Considering various functions identified for CFEM proteins in fungal virulence, our work illustrates a potential new role for a non-GPCR membrane CFEM in pathogenic fungi to control virulence in the fungus B. cinerea.

scholarly journals Structural and functional characterization of human and murine C5a anaphylatoxins

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1704-1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janus Asbjørn Schatz-Jakobsen ◽  
Laure Yatime ◽  
Casper Larsen ◽  
Steen Vang Petersen ◽  
Andreas Klos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complement Activation ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Helix Bundle ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Four Helix Bundle ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Complement is an ancient part of the innate immune system that plays a pivotal role in protection against invading pathogens and helps to clear apoptotic and necrotic cells. Upon complement activation, a cascade of proteolytic events generates the complement effectors, including the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a. Signalling through their cognate G-protein coupled receptors, C3aR and C5aR, leads to a wide range of biological events promoting inflammation at the site of complement activation. The function of anaphylatoxins is regulated by circulating carboxypeptidases that remove their C-terminal arginine residue, yielding C3a-desArg and C5a-desArg. Whereas human C3a and C3a-desArg adopt a canonical four-helix bundle fold, the conformation of human C5a-desArg has recently been described as a three-helix bundle. Here, the crystal structures of an antagonist version of human C5a, A8Δ71–73, and of murine C5a and C5a-desArg are reported. Whereas A8Δ71–73adopts a three-helix bundle conformation similar to human C5a-desArg, the two murine proteins form a four-helix bundle. A cell-based functional assay reveals that murine C5a-desArg, in contrast to its human counterpart, exerts the same level of activition as murine C5a on its cognate receptor. The role of the different C5a conformations is discussed in relation to the differential activation of C5a receptors across species.

scholarly journals Potential Role of Phospholipases in Virulence and Fungal Pathogenesis

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud A. Ghannoum
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factor ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Immunogold Electron Microscopy ◽  
Lytic Enzymes ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Phospholipase B ◽  
Genes Encoding

SUMMARY Microbial pathogens use a number of genetic strategies to invade the host and cause infection. These common themes are found throughout microbial systems. Secretion of enzymes, such as phospholipase, has been proposed as one of these themes that are used by bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungi. The role of extracellular phospholipase as a potential virulence factor in pathogenic fungi, including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus, has gained credence recently. In this review, data implicating phospholipase as a virulence factor in C. albicans, Candida glabrata, C. neoformans, and A. fumigatus are presented. A detailed description of the molecular and biochemical approaches used to more definitively delineate the role of phospholipase in the virulence of C. albicans is also covered. These approaches resulted in cloning of three genes encoding candidal phospholipases (caPLP1, caPLB2, and PLD). By using targeted gene disruption, C. albicans null mutants that failed to secrete phospholipase B, encoded by caPLB1, were constructed. When these isogenic strain pairs were tested in two clinically relevant murine models of candidiasis, deletion of caPLB1 was shown to lead to attenuation of candidal virulence. Importantly, immunogold electron microscopy studies showed that C. albicans secretes this enzyme during the infectious process. These data indicate that phospholipase B is essential for candidal virulence. Although the mechanism(s) through which phospholipase modulates fungal virulence is still under investigations, early data suggest that direct host cell damage and lysis are the main mechanisms contributing to fungal virulence. Since the importance of phospholipases in fungal virulence is already known, the next challenge will be to utilize these lytic enzymes as therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Detection and characterization of Leptospira spp. in dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease in Selangor, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
pp. 104063872110245
Author(s):  
Sabri A. Rahman ◽  
Kuan H. Khor ◽  
Siti Khairani-Bejo ◽  
Seng F. Lau ◽  
Mazlina Mazlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Pathogenic Leptospira ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Leptospira Spp ◽  
Rrna Sequencing ◽  
The Common

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. A wide range of symptoms have been described in humans; the disease in dogs is commonly associated with kidney and/or liver disease. In Malaysia, information about the common serovars infecting dogs is limited. Therefore, we investigated the occurrences of leptospirosis in 124 pet dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease. Blood, urine, abdominal effusion, and/or kidney and liver were collected from the dogs. Based on microscopic agglutination testing, 53 of 124 (42.7%) dogs were seropositive for leptospiral exposure. Sera were frequently positive to serovars Bataviae ( n = 12), Javanica ( n = 10), and Icterohaemorrhagiae ( n = 10). Direct detection using PCR showed that 42 of 124 (33.9%) of the whole blood and 36 of 113 (31.9%) urine samples were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. By PCR, 2 of 23 (9.1%) kidney and 2 of 23 (9.1%) liver were positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. Abdominal effusion from 4 dogs were PCR-positive for pathogenic Leptospira spp. The species detected were L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. kirschneri, and L. kmetyi by partial 16S rRNA sequencing. We further identified and characterized 11 Leptospira spp. isolates from 8 dogs as serovars Bataviae, Javanica, and Australis. The mortality rate of the Leptospira-infected dogs was high (18 of 53; 34%).

scholarly journals Regulation of nephron water and electrolyte transport by adenylyl cyclases

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (7) ◽  
pp. F701-F709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Rieg ◽  
Donald E. Kohan
Keyword(s):  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Electrolyte Transport ◽  
Adenylyl Cyclases ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Camp Formation ◽  
Distinct Membrane ◽  
Genetically Modified Animals

Adenylyl cyclases (AC) catalyze formation of cAMP, a critical component of G protein-coupled receptor signaling. So far, nine distinct membrane-bound AC isoforms (AC1-9) and one soluble AC (sAC) have been identified and, except for AC8, all of them are expressed in the kidney. While the role of ACs in renal cAMP formation is well established, we are just beginning to understand the function of individual AC isoforms, particularly with regard to hormonal regulation of transporter and channel phosphorylation, membrane abundance, and trafficking. This review focuses on the role of different AC isoforms in regulating renal water and electrolyte transport in health as well as potential pathological implications of disordered AC isoform function. In particular, we focus on modulation of transporter and channel abundance, activity, and phosphorylation, with an emphasis on studies employing genetically modified animals. As will be described, it is now evident that specific AC isoforms can exert unique effects in the kidney that may have important implications in our understanding of normal physiology as well as disease pathogenesis.

Genetic characterization of Rhizobium sp. strain TAL1145 that nodulates tree legumes

1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. C. George ◽  
J. P. W. Young ◽  
D. Borthakur
Keyword(s):  
Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Rhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tree Legumes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Common ◽  
Rrna Sequences ◽  
Rhizobium Sp

Rhizobium sp. strain TALI 145 nodulates Leucaena ieucocephaia and Phaseolus vulgaris, in addition to a wide range of tropical tree legumes. Six overlapping clones that complemented nodulation defects in leucaena and bean rhizobia were isolated and a 40-kb map of the symbiosis region was constructed. The common nod and nifA genes were situated approximately 17 kb apart, with the nodlJ genes in between. These clones enabled a derivative of TAL1145 carrying a partially deleted pSym to form ineffective nodules on both leucaena and bean, and a similar derivative of Rhizobium etli TAL182 to form ineffective nodules on bean. When two representative clones, pUHR9 and pUHR114, were each transferred to wild-type rhizobial strains, they allowed ineffective nodulation by Rhizobium meliloti on both leucaena and bean and by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae on bean. Transconjugants of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii formed effective nodules on leucaena and ineffective nodules on bean. Tn5 mutagenesis of the symbiosis region resulted in a variety of nodulation and fixation phenotypes on leucaena and bean. On the basis of 16S rRNA sequences, TAL1145 was found to be distinct from both R. tropici and NGR234, the two groups of leucaena symbionts that were previously described.Key words: Rhizobium, Leucaena leucocephala, nodulation, nitrogen fixation.

scholarly journals CRYOGLOBULIN TEST AND CRYOGLOBULINEMIA HEPATITIS C-VIRUS RELATED

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e2017007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Basile
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Confounding Factor ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Laboratory Techniques ◽  
Preanalytical Phase ◽  
Wide Range

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate in serum at temperatures below 37°C and resolubilize upon warming. The clinical syndrome of cryoglobulinemia usually includes purpura, weakness, and arthralgia, but the underlying disease may also contribute other symptoms. Blood samples for cryoglobulin are collected, transported, clotted and spun at 37°C, before the precipitate is allowed to form when serum is stored at 4°C in a Wintrobe tube for at least seven days. The most critical and confounding factor affecting the cryoglobulin test is when the preanalytical phase is not fully completed at 37°C. The easiest way to quantify cryoglobulins is the cryocrit estimate. However, this approach has low accuracy and sensitivity. Furthermore, the precipitate should be resolubilized by warming to confirm that it is truly formed of cryoglobulins. The characterization of cryoglobulins requires the precipitate is several times washed, before performing immunofixation, a technique by which cryoglobulins can be classified depending on the characteristics of the detected immunoglobulins. These features imply a pathogenic role of these molecules which are consequently associated with a wide range of symptoms and manifestations. According to the Brouet classification, Cryoglobulins are grouped into three types by the immunochemical properties of immunoglobulins in the cryoprecipitate. The aim of this paper is to review the major aspects of cryoglobulinemia and the laboratory techniques used to detect and characterize cryoglobulins, taking into consideration the presence and consequences of cryoglobulinemia in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.

scholarly journals Common Coherence Witnesses and Common Coherent States

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Bang-Hai Wang ◽  
Zi-Heng Ding ◽  
Zhihao Ma ◽  
Shao-Ming Fei
Keyword(s):  
Coherent State ◽  
Coherent States ◽  
State Problem ◽  
Properties And Characterization ◽  
The Common ◽  
High Level

We show the properties and characterization of coherence witnesses. We show methods for constructing coherence witnesses for an arbitrary coherent state. We investigate the problem of finding common coherence witnesses for certain class of states. We show that finitely many different witnesses W1,W2,⋯,Wn can detect some common coherent states if and only if ∑i=1ntiWi is still a witnesses for any nonnegative numbers ti(i=1,2,⋯,n). We show coherent states play the role of high-level witnesses. Thus, the common state problem is changed into the question of when different high-level witnesses (coherent states) can detect the same coherence witnesses. Moreover, we show a coherent state and its robust state have no common coherence witness and give a general way to construct optimal coherence witnesses for any comparable states.

Characterization of proteins with Siaα2-3/6Gal-linked glycans from bovine milk and role of their glycans against influenza A virus

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 5198-5208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanjie Yu ◽  
Yaogang Zhong ◽  
Zhiwei Zhang ◽  
Xiawei Liu ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Milk Proteins ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Bovine Milk Proteins

The bovine milk proteins have a wide range of functions, but the role of the attached glycans in their biological functions has not been fully understood yet.

scholarly journals The Role of Exosomes in the Crosstalk between Adipocytes and Liver Cancer Cells

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1988
Author(s):  
Leslimar Rios-Colon ◽  
Elena Arthur ◽  
Suryakant Niture ◽  
Qi Qi ◽  
John T. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Bioactive Materials ◽  
Liver Cancer Cells ◽  
Secreted Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pathophysiological Role ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Membrane Bound

Exosomes are membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) that transport bioactive materials between cells and organs. The cargo delivered by exosomes can alter a wide range of cellular responses in recipient cells and play an important pathophysiological role in human cancers. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example, adipocyte- and tumor-secreted factors contained in exosomes contribute to the creation of a chronic inflammatory state, which contributes to disease progression. The exosome-mediated crosstalk between adipocytes and liver cancer cells is a key aspect of a dynamic tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the role of increased adiposity and the role of adipocyte-derived exosomes (AdExos) and HCC-derived exosomes (HCCExos) in the modulation of HCC progression. We also discuss recent advances regarding how malignant cells interact with the surrounding adipose tissue and employ exosomes to promote a more aggressive phenotype.

scholarly journals Hormesis in Plants: The Role of Oxidative Stress, Auxins and Photosynthesis in Corn Treated with Cd or Pb

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugeniusz Małkowski ◽  
Krzysztof Sitko ◽  
Michał Szopiński ◽  
Żaneta Gieroń ◽  
Marta Pogrzeba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Growth Stimulation ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Common ◽  
Stimulation Of

Hormesis, which describes the stimulatory effect of low doses of toxic substances on growth, is a well-known phenomenon in the plant and animal kingdoms. However, the mechanisms that are involved in this phenomenon are still poorly understood. We performed preliminary studies on corn coleoptile sections, which showed a positive correlation between the stimulation of growth by Cd or Pb and an increase in the auxin and H2O2 content in the coleoptile sections. Subsequently, we grew corn seedlings in hydroponic culture and tested a wide range of Cd or Pb concentrations in order to determine hormetic growth stimulation. In these seedlings the gas exchange and the chlorophyll a fluorescence, as well as the content of chlorophyll, flavonol, auxin and hydrogen peroxide, were measured. We found that during the hormetic stimulation of growth, the response of the photosynthetic apparatus to Cd and Pb differed significantly. While the application of Cd mostly caused a decrease in various photosynthetic parameters, the application of Pb stimulated some of them. Nevertheless, we discovered that the common features of the hormetic stimulation of shoot growth by heavy metals are an increase in the auxin and flavonol content and the maintenance of hydrogen peroxide at the same level as the control plants.

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