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Nature Communications May 2024The K uptake system KtrAB is essential for bacterial survival in low K environments. The activity of KtrAB is regulated by nucleotides and Na. Previous studies proposed...
The K uptake system KtrAB is essential for bacterial survival in low K environments. The activity of KtrAB is regulated by nucleotides and Na. Previous studies proposed a putative gating mechanism of KtrB regulated by KtrA upon binding to ATP or ADP. However, how Na activates KtrAB and the Na binding site remain unknown. Here we present the cryo-EM structures of ATP- and ADP-bound KtrAB from Bacillus subtilis (BsKtrAB) both solved at 2.8 Å. A cryo-EM density at the intra-dimer interface of ATP-KtrA was identified as Na, as supported by X-ray crystallography and ICP-MS. Thermostability assays and functional studies demonstrated that Na binding stabilizes the ATP-bound BsKtrAB complex and enhances its K flux activity. Comparing ATP- and ADP-BsKtrAB structures suggests that BsKtrB Arg417 and Phe91 serve as a channel gate. The synergism of ATP and Na in activating BsKtrAB is likely applicable to Na-activated K channels in central nervous system.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Bacillus subtilis; Sodium; Bacterial Proteins; Potassium; Crystallography, X-Ray; Adenosine Diphosphate; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Binding Sites; Cation Transport Proteins; Models, Molecular; Protein Binding
PubMed: 38719864
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48057-y -
Poultry Science Apr 2024The fear response is a crucial adaptive mechanism for coping with environmental changes, and the individuals have different levels of fearfulness. The purpose of this...
The fear response is a crucial adaptive mechanism for coping with environmental changes, and the individuals have different levels of fearfulness. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of the immune response and gut health in hens with different fear responses. A total of 80 healthy 75-wk-old native Lindian chickens were individually housed in conventional cages and categorized into high (TH) and low (TL) levels of fearfulness using the tonic immobility (TI) test. The immunological status and intestinal health of the laying hens were assessed, and the intestinal microbial community was sequenced using 16S rRNA testing. The results showed that the immune-related genes of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IgG were significantly upregulated in the spleen of TH hens compared with hens in the TL group (P < 0.01). The inflammatory immune-related genes Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, IL-10, and IgG were significantly increased in the intestinal tract, whereas IL-4, IgA, and the intestinal barrier gene claudin-4 were significantly decreased in TH hens (P < 0.05). In addition, serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-α and IgG were significantly higher in TH hens (P < 0.01). A high fear response also led to changes in gut microbial diversity, with a higher Simpson's index and lower β-diversity similarity than hens with a low-fear response (P < 0.05). The TH group showed an increase in 8 genera, including Bacillaceae and Coprococcus, whereas the genus Anaerorhabdus decreased (P < 0.05). The gut microbiota has also been associated with gut barrier genes, and inflammatory cytokines. Bartonella stimulates IL-1β and IgG secretion, whereas Lactobacillus inhibits IL-6 secretion, and Coprococcus and Subdoligranulum are associated with the maintenance of intestinal barrier function. The results of this study suggest that laying hens with high fear response levels have a more sensitive immune response and a more enriched gut microbiota, which may have positive effects on adapting to a complex environment.
PubMed: 38718537
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103816 -
Veterinary Parasitology Jun 2024In this study we analysed the effect of the temperature, diverse strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and nanoformulations with essential plant...
In this study we analysed the effect of the temperature, diverse strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and nanoformulations with essential plant oils (EONP) on the survival of Sarcoptes scabiei mites derived from naturally-infested Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). In general, mites maintained at 12ºC survived more than those maintained at 35ºC (40.7 hr and 31.2 hr, respectively). Mites with no treatment survived 27.6 h on average. Mites treated with B. thuringiensis serovar. konkukian and geranium EONP showed significant reduction in their survival. Despite the fact that these agents seem to be promising candidates for controlling sarcoptic mange in the field, further research is still needed to get stable, efficient and eco-friendly acaricides.
Topics: Animals; Acaricides; Sarcoptes scabiei; Goats; Scabies; Biological Products; Goat Diseases; Bacillus thuringiensis; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 38714065
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110189 -
PloS One 2024Insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins produced by transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants have become an essential component of cotton pest...
Insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins produced by transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants have become an essential component of cotton pest management. Bt toxins are the primary management tool in transgenic cotton for lepidopteran pests, the most important of which is the bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the United States (U.S.). However, bollworm larvae that survive after consuming Bt toxins may experience sublethal effects, which could alter interactions with other organisms, such as natural enemies. Experiments were conducted to evaluate how sublethal effects of a commercial Bt product (Dipel) incorporated into artificial diet and from Bt cotton flowers impact predation from the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), common in cotton fields of the mid-southern U.S. Sublethal effects were detected through reduced weight and slower development in bollworm larvae which fed on Dipel incorporated into artificial diet, Bollgard II, and Bollgard 3 cotton flowers. Sublethal effects from proteins incorporated into artificial diet were found to significantly alter predation from third instar lady beetle larvae. Predation of bollworm larvae also increased significantly after feeding for three days on a diet incorporated with Bt proteins. These results suggest that the changes in larval weight and development induced by Bt can be used to help predict consumption of bollworm larvae by the convergent lady beetle. These findings are essential to understanding the potential level of biological control in Bt cotton where lepidopteran larvae experience sublethal effects.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Gossypium; Predatory Behavior; Plants, Genetically Modified; Larva; Flowers; Bacillus thuringiensis; Pest Control, Biological; Moths; Bacterial Proteins; Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
PubMed: 38709777
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302941 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The biosynthesis of nanoparticles offers numerous advantages, including ease of production, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. In our research, we...
The biosynthesis of nanoparticles offers numerous advantages, including ease of production, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. In our research, we focused on the bioformation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a combination of Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus sp. growth. These AgNPs were then evaluated for their biological activities against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our study involved the isolation of Bacillus sp. from soil samples and Lactobacillus sp. from raw milk in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using various techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial properties of the AgNPs were assessed using the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method against multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results demonstrated that the use of a bacterial mixture for biosynthesis led to faster and more effective production of AgNPs compared to using a single bacterium. The UV-visible spectra showed characteristic peaks indicative of silver nanoparticles, while XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized particles. FTIR results suggested the presence of capping proteins that contribute to the synthesis and stability of AgNPs. Furthermore, TEM images revealed the size and morphology of the AgNPs, which exhibited spherical shapes with sizes ranging from 4.65 to 22.8 nm. Notably, the antibacterial activity of the AgNPs was found to be more pronounced against Staphylococcus aureus than Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating the potential of these nanoparticles as effective antimicrobial agents. Overall, our study highlights the promising antibacterial properties of AgNPs synthesized by a mixture of Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus sp. growth. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of utilizing different bacterial combinations for enhanced nanoparticle synthesis.
Topics: Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Silver; Bacillus; Lactobacillus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; X-Ray Diffraction
PubMed: 38702368
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59936-1 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024Bacterial contamination causes irreparable losses in the performance of alcoholic fermentation. Antibiotics are used to control these microorganisms, but they generate...
Bacterial contamination causes irreparable losses in the performance of alcoholic fermentation. Antibiotics are used to control these microorganisms, but they generate residues and cause microbial resistance. Today the only commercial product used by the mills is hops, but it is very expensive. As an alternative, the objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of using extracts from plants grown in the Cerrado for antimicrobial control during an alcoholic fermentation to replace antibiotics. Hydraethanolic extracts of leaves and essential oil of the following species were tested: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Serjania erecta, Serjania marginata, Campomanesia adamantium and Syzygium cumini. Only the extract of Serjania marginata did not show any activity against the bacterium Bacillus sp. Both the essential oils as well as the hydroalcoholic extracts of S. terebinthifolius and C. adamantium and the extract of S. erecta showed antibacterial activity without harming the yeast, with potential to replace the hops.
Topics: Fermentation; Plant Extracts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacillus; Oils, Volatile; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Bacteria
PubMed: 38695423
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.281448 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024The common bed bug, , is an urban pest of global health significance, severely affecting the physical and mental health of humans. In contrast to most other...
The common bed bug, , is an urban pest of global health significance, severely affecting the physical and mental health of humans. In contrast to most other blood-feeding arthropods, bed bugs are not major vectors of pathogens, but the underlying mechanisms for this phenomenon are largely unexplored. Here, we present the first transcriptomics study of bed bugs in response to immune challenges. To study transcriptional variations in bed bugs following ingestion of bacteria, we extracted and processed mRNA from body tissues of adult male bed bugs after ingestion of sterile blood or blood containing the Gram-positive (Gr+) bacterium or the Gram-negative (Gr-) bacterium We analyzed mRNA from the bed bugs' midgut (the primary tissue involved in blood ingestion) and from the rest of their bodies (RoB; body minus head and midgut tissues). We show that the midgut exhibits a stronger immune response to ingestion of bacteria than the RoB, as indicated by the expression of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Both the Toll and Imd signaling pathways, associated with immune responses, were highly activated by the ingestion of bacteria. Bacterial infection in bed bugs further provides evidence for metabolic reconfiguration and resource allocation in the bed bugs' midgut and RoB to promote production of AMPs. Our data suggest that infection with particular pathogens in bed bugs may be associated with altered metabolic pathways within the midgut and RoB that favors immune responses. We further show that multiple established cellular immune responses are preserved and are activated by the presence of specific pathogens. Our study provides a greater understanding of nuances in the immune responses of bed bugs towards pathogens that ultimately might contribute to novel bed bug control tactics.
Topics: Animals; Bedbugs; Transcriptome; Gene Expression Profiling; Male; Escherichia coli; Bacillus subtilis; Signal Transduction; Antimicrobial Peptides
PubMed: 38694504
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384193 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2024Launaea sarmentosa, also known as Sa Sam Nam, is a widely used remedy in Vietnamese traditional medicine and cuisine. However, the chemical composition and bioactivity...
Launaea sarmentosa, also known as Sa Sam Nam, is a widely used remedy in Vietnamese traditional medicine and cuisine. However, the chemical composition and bioactivity of its essential oil have not been elucidated yet. In this study, we identified 40 compounds (98.6% of total peak area) in the essential oil via GC-MS analysis at the first time. Among them, five main compounds including Thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (52.4%), (E)-α-Atlantone (9.0%), Neryl isovalerate (6.6%), Davanol D2 (isomer 2) (3.9%), and trans-Sesquisabinene hydrate (3.9%) have accounted for 75.8% of total peak area. The anti-bacterial activity of the essential oil against 4 microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has also investigated via agar well diffusion assay. The results showed that the essential oil exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with the inhibition zones ranging from 8.2 to 18.7 mm. To elucidate the anti-bacterial effect mechanism of the essential oil, docking study of five main compounds of the essential oil (Thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether, (E)-α-Atlantone, Neryl isovalerate, Davanol D2 (isomer 2), and trans-Sesquisabinene hydrate) against some key proteins for bacterial growth such as DNA gyrase B, penicillin binding protein 2A, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, and dihydrofolate reductase were performed. The results showed that the main constituents of essential oil were highly bound with penicillin binding protein 2A with the free energies ranging -27.7 to -44.8 kcal/mol, which suggests the relationship between the antibacterial effect of essential oil and the affinity of main compounds with penicillin binding protein. In addition, the free energies of main compounds of the essential oil with human cyclooxygenase 1, cyclooxygenase 2, and phospholipase A2, the crucial proteins related with inflammatory response were less than diclofenac, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug. These findings propose the essential oil as a novel and promising anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory medicine or cosmetic products.
Topics: Molecular Docking Simulation; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Oils, Volatile; Bacillus subtilis; Staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Escherichia coli; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase; DNA Gyrase; Sesquiterpenes; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pentanoic Acids; Hemiterpenes
PubMed: 38692900
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23254 -
Pharmacological Research Jun 2024The existing body of research underscores the critical impact of intratumoral microbiomes on the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), particularly in...
The existing body of research underscores the critical impact of intratumoral microbiomes on the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), particularly in reshaping the tumor microenvironment and influencing gemcitabine resistance. However, peritumoral tissues' microbiome, distinct from PDAC tumors, remain understudied, and Western-centric analyses overlooking potential variations in dietary-influenced microbiomes. Our study addresses this gap by 16 S rRNA sequencing of PDAC tumors and matched peritumoral tissues from Chinese Mainland patients. Our research has uncovered that the microbiome composition within tumors and paired peritumoral tissues exhibits a high degree of similarity, albeit with certain discrepancies. Notably, Exiguobacterium is found to be more abundant within the tumor tissues. Further investigations have revealed that a lower Exiguobacterium/Bacillus ratio in both the tumor and peritumoral tissues of PDAC patients is indicative of a more favorable prognosis. Further exploration utilizing an orthotopic tumor model demonstrates that the probiotic Bacillus Coagulans impedes PDAC progression, accompanied by an increased infiltration of inflammatory neutrophils in tumors. Additionally, in the subgroup with a low Exiguobacterium/Bacillus ratio, whole-exome sequencing reveals elevated missense mutations in ABL2 and MSH2. The elevated expression of ABL2 and MSH2 has been correlated with poorer prognostic outcomes in PDAC patients. Together, these insights shed light on risk factors influencing PDAC progression and unveil potential therapeutic targets, alongside probiotic intervention strategies.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; China; Male; Female; Animals; Prognosis; Disease Progression; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Bacillus; Middle Aged; Aged; Tumor Microenvironment; Probiotics; Mice; Microbiota; Cell Line, Tumor; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38692467
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107197 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Isolated Bacillus velezensis strain NA16, which produces proteases, amino acids and the transcription levels of different keratinolytic enzymes and disulfide reductase...
Isolated Bacillus velezensis strain NA16, which produces proteases, amino acids and the transcription levels of different keratinolytic enzymes and disulfide reductase genes in whole gene sequencing, was evaluated during feather degradation. The result shows under optimum fermentation conditions, chicken feather fermentation showed total amino acid concentration of 7599 mg/L, degradation efficiency of 99.3% at 72 h, and protease activity of 1058 U/mL and keratinase activity of 288 U/mL at 48 h. Goose feather fermentation showed total amino acid concentration of 4918 mg/L (96 h), and degradation efficiency was 98.9% at 120 h. Chicken feather fermentation broth at 72 h showed high levels of 17 amino acids, particularly phenylalanine (1050 ± 1.90 mg/L), valine (960 ± 1.04 mg/L), and glutamic (950 ± 3.00 mg/L). Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the essential role of peptide bond cleavage in structural changes and degradation of feathers. Protein purification and zymographic analyses revealed a key role in feather degradation of the 39-kDa protein encoded by gene1031, identified as an S8 family serine peptidase. Whole genome sequencing of NA16 revealed 26 metalloproteinase genes and 22 serine protease genes. Among the proteins, S8 family serine peptidase (gene1031, gene1428) and S9 family peptidase (gene3132) were shown by transcription analysis to play major roles in chicken feather degradation. These findings revealed the transcription levels of different families of keratinolytic enzymes in the degradation of feather keratin by microorganisms, and suggested potential applications of NA16 in feather waste management and amino acid production.
Topics: Feathers; Animals; Bacillus; Peptide Hydrolases; Amino Acids; Chickens; Fermentation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Geese
PubMed: 38691885
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116353