scholarly journals Strategies to Investigate Membrane Damage, Nucleoid Condensation, and RNase Activity of Bacterial Toxin–Antitoxin Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Stefano Maggi ◽  
Alberto Ferrari ◽  
Korotoum Yabre ◽  
Aleksandra Anna Bonini ◽  
Claudio Rivetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Transformation ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Rnase Activity ◽  
Bacterial Toxin ◽  
Type I

A large number of bacterial toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems have been identified so far and different experimental approaches have been explored to investigate their activity and regulation both in vivo and in vitro. Nonetheless, a common feature of these methods is represented by the difficulty in cell transformation, culturing, and stability of the transformants, due to the expression of highly toxic proteins. Recently, in dealing with the type I Lpt/RNAII and the type II YafQ/DinJ TA systems, we encountered several of these problems that urged us to optimize methodological strategies to study the phenotype of recombinant Escherichia coli host cells. In particular, we have found conditions to tightly repress toxin expression by combining the pET expression system with the E. coli C41(DE3) pLysS strain. To monitor the RNase activity of the YafQ toxin, we developed a fluorescence approach based on Thioflavin-T which fluoresces brightly when complexed with bacterial RNA. Fluorescence microscopy was also applied to reveal loss of membrane integrity associated with the activity of the type I toxin Lpt, by using DAPI and ethidium bromide to selectively stain cells with impaired membrane permeability. We further found that atomic force microscopy can readily be employed to characterize toxin-induced membrane damages.

scholarly journals ROP18-Mediated Transcriptional Reprogramming of HEK293T Cell Reveals New Roles of ROP18 in the Interplay Between Toxoplasma gondii and the Host Cell

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie-Xi Li ◽  
Jun-Jun He ◽  
Hany M. Elsheikha ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Xiao-Pei Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Hek293t Cell ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Human Embryonic Kidney Cells ◽  
Pathway Enrichment

Toxoplasma gondii secretes a number of virulence-related effector proteins, such as the rhoptry protein 18 (ROP18). To further broaden our understanding of the molecular functions of ROP18, we examined the transcriptional response of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) to ROP18 of type I T. gondii RH strain. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared the transcriptome of ROP18-expressing HEK293T cells to control HEK293T cells. Our analysis revealed that ROP18 altered the expression of 750 genes (467 upregulated genes and 283 downregulated genes) in HEK293T cells. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix– and immune–related GO terms and pathways. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were involved in several disease-related pathways, such as nervous system diseases and eye disease. ROP18 significantly increased the alternative splicing pattern “retained intron” and altered the expression of 144 transcription factors (TFs). These results provide new insight into how ROP18 may influence biological processes in the host cells via altering the expression of genes, TFs, and pathways. More in vitro and in vivo studies are required to substantiate these findings.

Abstract 8: GTPase-Activating Protein for Rho Associated with FAK (GRAF) Regulates Cardiomyocyte Membrane Integrity

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J O'Neill ◽  
Kaitlin Lenhart ◽  
Jason Doherty ◽  
Mauricio Rojas ◽  
Mack P Christopher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Muscle Pathology ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Membrane Repair ◽  
Cell Membrane Damage ◽  
Deficient Mice

Cardiac myocytes are unique in their requirement to sustain continuous repetitive contraction in the setting of intense mechanical stress while simultaneously maintaining high membrane integrity for an appropriate electrical gradient. The consequence of failure of the membrane repair response has been highlighted in recent reports linking cardiomyocyte membrane fragility with cardiac degeneration in patients as well as in their analogous mouse models. Herein, we describe a novel role for GTPase activator for Rho associated with Focal Adhesion Kinase (GRAF) in regulating cardiomyocyte membrane integrity. We previously published that disruption of GRAF in Xenopus laevis resulted in progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. We now show that GRAF-depleted tadpoles exhibit defective cardiac formation and function. Interestingly, damage of muscle cells in vivo and in vitro led to a translocation of GRAF to the sarcolemma, suggesting that GRAF may be an important component of the cardiac membrane repair machinery. To further explore this possibility, we generated GRAF hypomorphic mice that exhibit greater than 99% reduction of endogenous GRAF expression. While GRAF deficient mice show normal Mendelian birth distribution and are viable, they exhibit a modest skeletal muscle pathology. Although baseline cardiac integrity was not compromised in GRAF deficient mice, treatment either with cardiotoxin or intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol led to elevated cardiomyocyte membrane damage (assessed by Evan’s blue dye uptake) in GRAF deficient compared to control mice (19% vs 2% of myocytes within afflicted ventricular area for cardiotoxin, 18% vs 8% for isoproterenol respectively). Moreover, cultured GRAF null myocytes exhibited a significantly attenuated membrane resealing response following laser-mediated disruption compared to GRAF-containing control cells as assessed by accumulation of the membrane impermeable dye, FM-143. As well, the survival rate after injury of GRAF-deficient cells was markedly attenuated (20% vs 85% in control cells). While cardiac cell membrane damage is likely a frequent and important event, the repair process is currently understudied, and this is the first report to implicate a Rho regulator in this response.

scholarly journals The uric acid crystal receptor Clec12A potentiates type I interferon responses

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18544-18549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Li ◽  
Konstantin Neumann ◽  
Vikas Duhan ◽  
Sukumar Namineni ◽  
Anne Louise Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Type I ◽  
Lectin Receptor ◽  
Molecular Patterns ◽  
Interferon Responses

The detection of microbes and damaged host cells by the innate immune system is essential for host defense against infection and tissue homeostasis. However, how distinct positive and negative regulatory signals from immune receptors are integrated to tailor specific responses in complex scenarios remains largely undefined. Clec12A is a myeloid cell-expressed inhibitory C-type lectin receptor that can sense cell death under sterile conditions. Clec12A detects uric acid crystals and limits proinflammatory pathways by counteracting the cell-activating spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Here, we surprisingly find that Clec12A additionally amplifies type I IFN (IFN-I) responses in vivo and in vitro. Using retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling as a model, we demonstrate that monosodium urate (MSU) crystal sensing by Clec12A enhances cytosolic RNA-induced IFN-I production and the subsequent induction of IFN-I–stimulated genes. Mechanistically, Clec12A engages Src kinase to positively regulate the TBK1-IRF3 signaling module. Consistently, Clec12A-deficient mice exhibit reduced IFN-I responses upon lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, which affects the outcomes of these animals in acute and chronic virus infection models. Thus, our results uncover a previously unrecognized connection between an MSU crystal-sensing receptor and the IFN-I response, and they illustrate how the sensing of extracellular damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) can shape the immune response.

scholarly journals AMA1-Deficient Toxoplasma gondii Parasites Transiently Colonize Mice and Trigger an Innate Immune Response That Leads to Long-Lasting Protective Immunity

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 2475-2486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lagal ◽  
Márcia Dinis ◽  
Dominique Cannella ◽  
Daniel Bargieri ◽  
Virginie Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Distinct Type ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Type I ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Apical Membrane Antigen 1 ◽  
Immunocompromised Mice

The apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) protein was believed to be essential for the perpetuation of two Apicomplexa parasite genera,PlasmodiumandToxoplasma, until we genetically engineered viable parasites lackingAMA1. The reduction in invasiveness of theToxoplasma gondiiRH-AMA1 knockout (RH-AMA1KO) tachyzoite population,in vitro, raised key questions about the outcome associated with these tachyzoites once inoculated in the peritoneal cavity of mice. In this study, we used AMNIS technology to simultaneously quantify and image the parasitic process driven by AMA1KOtachyzoites. We report their ability to colonize and multiply in mesothelial cells and in both resident and recruited leukocytes. While the RH-AMA1KOpopulation amplification is rapidly lethal in immunocompromised mice, it is controlled in immunocompetent hosts, where immune cells in combination sense parasites and secrete proinflammatory cytokines. This innate response further leads to a long-lasting status immunoprotective against a secondary challenge by high inocula of the homologous type I or a distinct type IIT. gondiigenotypes. While AMA1 is definitively not an essential protein for tachyzoite entry and multiplication in host cells, it clearly assists the expansion of parasite populationin vivo.

scholarly journals Interferons: Tug of War Between Bacteria and Their Host

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noémie Alphonse ◽  
Ruth E. Dickenson ◽  
Charlotte Odendall
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Bacterial Invasion ◽  
Type I ◽  
Viral Immunity ◽  
Diverse Range

Type I and III interferons (IFNs) are archetypally antiviral cytokines that are induced in response to recognition of foreign material by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Though their roles in anti-viral immunity are well established, recent evidence suggests that they are also crucial mediators of inflammatory processes during bacterial infections. Type I and III IFNs restrict bacterial infection in vitro and in some in vivo contexts. IFNs mainly function through the induction of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). These include PRRs and regulators of antimicrobial signaling pathways. Other ISGs directly restrict bacterial invasion or multiplication within host cells. As they regulate a diverse range of anti-bacterial host responses, IFNs are an attractive virulence target for bacterial pathogens. This review will discuss the current understanding of the bacterial effectors that manipulate the different stages of the host IFN response: IFN induction, downstream signaling pathways, and target ISGs.

scholarly journals Epitope-Mapping Studies Define Two Major Neutralization Sites on the Vaccinia Virus Extracellular Enveloped Virus Glycoprotein B5R

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 6260-6271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Aldaz-Carroll ◽  
J. Charles Whitbeck ◽  
Manuel Ponce de Leon ◽  
Huan Lou ◽  
Lauren Hirao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Peptide Mapping ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Antigenic Structure ◽  
Functional Domain ◽  
Type I ◽  
Enveloped Virus

ABSTRACT Vaccinia extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) is critical for cell-to-cell and long-range virus spread both in vitro and in vivo. The B5R gene encodes an EEV-specific type I membrane protein that is essential for efficient EEV formation. The majority of the B5R ectodomain consists of four domains with homology to short consensus repeat domains followed by a stalk. Previous studies have shown that polyclonal antibodies raised against the B5R ectodomain inhibit EEV infection. In this study, our goal was to elucidate the antigenic structure of B5R and relate this to its function. To do this, we produced multimilligram quantities of vaccinia virus B5R as a soluble protein [B5R(275t)] using a baculovirus expression system. We then selected and characterized a panel of 26 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize B5R(275t). Five of these MAbs neutralized EEV and inhibited comet formation. Two other MAbs were able only to neutralize EEV, while five others were able only to inhibit comet formation. This suggests that the EEV neutralization and comet inhibition assays measure different viral functions and that at least two different antigenic sites on B5R are important for these activities. We further characterized the MAbs and the antigenic structure of B5R(275t) by peptide mapping and by reciprocal MAb blocking studies using biosensor analysis. The epitopes recognized by neutralizing MAbs were localized to SCR1-SCR2 and/or the stalk of B5R(275t). Furthermore, the peptide and blocking data support the concept that SCR1 and the stalk may be in juxtaposition and may be part of the same functional domain.

scholarly journals Coronavirus nsp10/nsp16 Methyltransferase Can Be Targeted by nsp10-Derived PeptideIn VitroandIn VivoTo Reduce Replication and Pathogenesis

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (16) ◽  
pp. 8416-8427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Wang ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
Andong Wu ◽  
Shan Xu ◽  
Ruangang Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Virus Replication ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Type I ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Mtase Activity ◽  
Stimulation Of

ABSTRACTThe 5′ cap structures of eukaryotic mRNAs are important for RNA stability and protein translation. Many viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of eukaryotes have evolved 2′-O-methyltransferases (2′-O-MTase) to autonomously modify their mRNAs and carry a cap-1 structure (m7GpppNm) at the 5′ end, thereby facilitating viral replication and escaping innate immune recognition in host cells. Previous studies showed that the 2′-O-MTase activity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nonstructural protein 16 (nsp16) needs to be activated by nsp10, whereas nsp16 of feline coronavirus (FCoV) alone possesses 2′-O-MTase activity (E. Decroly et al., J Virol 82:8071–8084, 2008,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00407-08; M. Bouvet et al., PLoS Pathog 6:e1000863, 2010,http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1000863; E. Decroly et al., PLoS Pathog 7:e1002059, 2011,http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002059; Y. Chen et al., PLoS Pathog 7:e1002294, 2011,http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002294) . In this study, we demonstrate that stimulation of nsp16 2′-O-MTase activity by nsp10 is a universal and conserved mechanism in coronaviruses, including FCoV, and that nsp10 is functionally interchangeable in the stimulation of nsp16 of different coronaviruses. Based on our current and previous studies, we designed a peptide (TP29) from the sequence of the interaction interface of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) nsp10 and demonstrated that the peptide inhibits the 2′-O-MTase activity of different coronaviruses in biochemical assays and the viral replication in MHV infection and SARS-CoV replicon models. Interestingly, the peptide TP29 exerted robust inhibitory effectsin vivoin MHV-infected mice by impairing MHV virulence and pathogenesis through suppressing virus replication and enhancing type I interferon production at an early stage of infection. Therefore, as a proof of principle, the current results indicate that coronavirus 2′-O-MTase activity can be targetedin vitroandin vivo.IMPORTANCECoronaviruses are important pathogens of animals and human with high zoonotic potential. SARS-CoV encodes the 2′-O-MTase that is composed of the catalytic subunit nsp16 and the stimulatory subunit nsp10 and plays an important role in virus genome replication and evasion from innate immunity. Our current results demonstrate that stimulation of nsp16 2′-O-MTase activity by nsp10 is a common mechanism for coronaviruses, and nsp10 is functionally interchangeable in the stimulation of nsp16 among different coronaviruses, which underlies the rationale for developing inhibitory peptides. We demonstrate that a peptide derived from the nsp16-interacting domain of MHV nsp10 could inhibit 2′-O-MTase activity of different coronavirusesin vitroand viral replication of MHV and SARS-CoV replicon in cell culture, and it could strongly inhibit virus replication and pathogenesis in MHV-infected mice. This work makes it possible to develop broad-spectrum peptide inhibitors by targeting the nsp16/nsp10 2′-O-MTase of coronaviruses.

Peculiarities of the course of type I allergic reactions in patients with blood diseases

2020 ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
A. Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
Search Engines ◽  
Anaphylactic Shock ◽  
Type I ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Blood Diseases ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Modern Methods

Analysis of literature data presented in search engines — Elibrary, PubMed, Cochrane — concerning the risk of developing type I allergic reactions in patients with blood diseases is presented. It is shown that the most common cause of type I allergic reactions is drugs included in the treatment regimens of this category of patients. The article presents statistics on the increase in the number of drug allergies leading to cases of anaphylactic shock in patients with blood diseases. Modern methods for the diagnosis of type I allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro are considered.

IMPACT OF SORBITOL- INDUCED OSMOTIC STRESS ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF POTATO IN VITRO

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1047
Author(s):  
Mawia & et al.
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Culture Collection ◽  
Nutritive Medium ◽  
Starting Point

This study had as principal objective identification of osmotic-tolerant potato genotypes by using "in vitro" tissue culture and sorbitol as a stimulating agent, to induce water stress, which was added to the  culture nutritive medium in different concentration (0,50, 110, 220, 330 and 440 mM).  The starting point was represented by plantlets culture collection, belonging to eleven potato genotypes: Barcelona, Nectar, Alison, Jelly, Malice, Nazca, Toronto, Farida, Fabulla, Colomba and Spunta. Plantlets were multiplied between two internodes to obtain microcuttings (in sterile condition), which were inoculated on medium. Sorbitol-induced osmotic stress caused a significant reduction in the ascorbic acid, while the concentration of proline, H2O2 and solutes leakage increased compared with the control. Increased the proline content prevented lipid peroxidation, which played a pivotal role in the maintenance of membrane integrity under osmotic stress conditions. The extent of the cytoplasmic membrane damage depends on osmotic stress severity and the genotypic variation in the maintenance of membranes stability was highly associated with the ability of producing more amounts of osmoprotectants (proline) and the non-enzymic antioxidant ascorbic acid in response to osmotic stress level. The results showed that the genotypes Jelly, Nectar, Allison, Toronto, and Colomba are classified as highly osmotic stress tolerant genotypes, while the genotypes Nazca and Farida are classified as osmotic stress susceptible ones.

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