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Gao X, Feng J, Wei L, Dong P, Chen J, Zhang L, Yang Y, Xu L, Wang H, Luo J, Qin M. Defensins: A novel weapon against Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111383. [PMID: 38118315 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious airborne communicable disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. Although the standard treatment antimicrobials, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, have made great progress in the treatment of TB, problems including the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the severe toxicity and side effects of antimicrobials, and the low immunity of TB patients have become the bottlenecks of the current TB treatments. Therefore, both safe and effective new strategies to prevent and treat TB have become a top priority. As a subfamily of cationic antimicrobial peptides, defensins are rich in cysteine and play a vital role in resisting the invasion of microorganisms and regulating the immune response. Inspired by studies on the roles of defensins in host defence, we describe their research history and then review their structural features and antimicrobial mechanisms, specifically for fighting Mtb in detail. Finally, we discuss the clinical relevance, therapeutic potential, and potential challenges of defensins in anti-TB therapy. We further debate the possible solutions of the current application of defensins to provide new insights for eliminating Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Gao
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jihong Feng
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Linna Wei
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Pinzhi Dong
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Langlang Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Junmin Luo
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
| | - Ming Qin
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
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Song Y, Zhang S, Zhao N, Nong C, He Y, Bao R. Pseudomonas aeruginosa two-component system CprRS regulates HigBA expression and bacterial cytotoxicity in response to LL-37 stress. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011946. [PMID: 38198506 PMCID: PMC10805311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly pathogenic bacterium known for its ability to sense and coordinate the production of virulence factors in response to host immune responses. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process have remained largely elusive. In this study, we investigate the two-component system CprRS in P. aeruginosa and unveil the crucial role of the sensor protein CprS in sensing the human host defense peptide LL-37, thereby modulating bacterial virulence. We demonstrate that CprS acts as a phosphatase in the presence of LL-37, leading to the phosphorylation and activation of the response regulator CprR. The results prove that CprR directly recognizes a specific sequence within the promoter region of the HigBA toxin-antitoxin system, resulting in enhanced expression of the toxin HigB. Importantly, LL-37-induced HigB expression promotes the production of type III secretion system effectors, leading to reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and increased cytotoxicity towards macrophages. Moreover, mutations in cprS or cprR significantly impair bacterial survival in both macrophage and insect infection models. This study uncovers the regulatory mechanism of the CprRS system, enabling P. aeruginosa to detect and respond to human innate immune responses while maintaining a balanced virulence gene expression profile. Additionally, this study provides new evidence and insights into the complex regulatory system of T3SS in P. aeruginosa within the host environment, contributing to a better understanding of host-microbe communication and the development of novel strategies to combat bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Song
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siping Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ninglin Zhao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Nong
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxing He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rui Bao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases in State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wang J, Qin C, Xu Y, Yin J, Hu J, Guo X. Structural and Genetic Identification of the O-Antigen from an Escherichia coli Isolate, SD2019180, Representing a Novel Serogroup. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15040. [PMID: 37894721 PMCID: PMC10606467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The O-antigen is one of the outermost surface components of Gram-negative bacteria. Its large structural variation provides the molecular basis for bacterial serological diversity. Here, we established the structure of the O-antigen from an Escherichia coli strain, SD2019180, which appeared to be completely different from the known E. coli serogroups. The O-antigen tetrasaccharide biological repeating unit was identified as → 2)-[β-d-GlcpA-(1 → 4)]-[α-d-Galp-(1 → 3)]-α-l-Fucp-(1 → 3)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1 →. Furthermore, we analyzed the O-antigen gene cluster of SD2019180 and confirmed its role in O-antigen synthesis by using deletion and complementation experiments. Our findings indicate that SD2019180 is a novel serogroup of Escherichia coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, 23 Hongda Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Chunjun Qin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Lihu Ave. 1800, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yujuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Lihu Ave. 1800, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jian Yin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Lihu Ave. 1800, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Lihu Ave. 1800, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xi Guo
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, 23 Hongda Street, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China
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Ko D, Sung D, Kim TY, Choi G, Bang YJ, Choi SH. CarRS Two-Component System Essential for Polymyxin B Resistance of Vibrio vulnificus Responds to Multiple Host Environmental Signals. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0030523. [PMID: 37289068 PMCID: PMC10433830 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00305-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic bacteria express two-component systems (TCSs) to sense and respond to host environments, developing resistance to host innate immune systems like cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). Although an opportunistic human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus shows intrinsic resistance to the CAMP-like polymyxin B (PMB), its TCSs responsible for resistance have barely been investigated. Here, a mutant exhibiting a reduced growth rate in the presence of PMB was screened from a random transposon mutant library of V. vulnificus, and response regulator CarR of the CarRS TCS was identified as essential for its PMB resistance. Transcriptome analysis revealed that CarR strongly activates the expression of the eptA, tolCV2, and carRS operons. In particular, the eptA operon plays a major role in developing the CarR-mediated PMB resistance. Phosphorylation of CarR by the sensor kinase CarS is required for the regulation of its downstream genes, leading to the PMB resistance. Nevertheless, CarR directly binds to specific sequences in the upstream regions of the eptA and carRS operons, regardless of its phosphorylation. Notably, the CarRS TCS alters its own activation state by responding to several environmental stresses, including PMB, divalent cations, bile salts, and pH change. Furthermore, CarR modulates the resistance of V. vulnificus to bile salts and acidic pH among the stresses, as well as PMB. Altogether, this study suggests that the CarRS TCS, in responding to multiple host environmental signals, could provide V. vulnificus with the benefit of surviving within the host by enhancing its optimal fitness during infection. IMPORTANCE Enteropathogenic bacteria have evolved multiple TCSs to recognize and appropriately respond to host environments. CAMP is one of the inherent host barriers that the pathogens encounter during the course of infection. In this study, the CarRS TCS of V. vulnificus was found to develop resistance to PMB, a CAMP-like antimicrobial peptide, by directly activating the expression of the eptA operon. Although CarR binds to the upstream regions of the eptA and carRS operons regardless of phosphorylation, phosphorylation of CarR is required for the regulation of the operons, resulting in the PMB resistance. Furthermore, the CarRS TCS determines the resistance of V. vulnificus to bile salts and acidic pH by differentially regulating its own activation state in response to these environmental stresses. Altogether, the CarRS TCS responds to multiple host-related signals, and thus could enhance the survival of V. vulnificus within the host, leading to successful infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duhyun Ko
- National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayoung Sung
- National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Young Kim
- National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Garam Choi
- National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye-Ji Bang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Ho Choi
- National Research Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Toxicology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Wu P, Wang Q, Yang Q, Feng X, Liu X, Sun H, Yan J, Kang C, Liu B, Liu Y, Yang B. A Novel Role of the Two-Component System Response Regulator UvrY in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Pathogenicity Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032297. [PMID: 36768620 PMCID: PMC9916836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is an important human pathogen causing severe diseases, such as hemorrhagic colitis and lethal hemolytic uremic syndrome. The signal-sensing capability of EHEC O157:H7 at specific host colonization sites via different two-component systems (TCSs) is closely related to its pathogenicity during infection. However, the types of systems involved and the regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the function of the TCS BarA/UvrY regulator UvrY in the pathogenicity regulation of EHEC O157:H7. Our results showed that UvrY acts as a positive regulator of EHEC O157:H7 for cellular adherence and mouse colonization through the transcriptional activation of the locus for enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenic genes. Furthermore, this regulation is mediated by the LEE island master regulator, Ler. Our results highlight the significance of UvrY in EHEC O157:H7 pathogenicity and underline the unknown importance of BarA/UvrY in colonization establishment and intestinal adaptability during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Wu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Qian Wang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Qian Yang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xiaohui Feng
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xingmei Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Hongmin Sun
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jun Yan
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Chenbo Kang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Bin Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Nankai International Advanced Research Institute, Nankai University, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yutao Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Nankai International Advanced Research Institute, Nankai University, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bin Yang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (B.Y.)
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Wu J, Liu Y, Li W, Li F, Liu R, Sun H, Qin J, Feng X, Huang D, Liu B. MlrA, a MerR family regulator in Vibrio cholerae, senses the anaerobic signal in the small intestine of the host to promote bacterial intestinal colonization. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2143216. [PMID: 36369865 PMCID: PMC9662190 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2143216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), one of the most important bacterial pathogens in history, is a gram-negative motile bacterium that causes fatal pandemic disease in humans via oral ingestion of contaminated water or food. This process involves the coordinated actions of numerous regulatory factors. The MerR family regulators, which are widespread in prokaryotes, have been reported to be associated with pathogenicity. However, the role of the MerR family regulators in V. cholerae virulence remains unknown. Our study systematically investigated the influence of MerR family regulators on intestinal colonization of V. cholerae within the host. Among the five MerR family regulators, MlrA was found to significantly promote the colonization capacity of V. cholerae in infant mice. Furthermore, we revealed that MlrA increases bacterial intestinal colonization by directly enhancing the expression of tcpA, which encodes one of the most important virulence factors in V. cholerae, by binding to its promoter region. In addition, we revealed that during infection, mlrA is activated by anaerobic signals in the small intestine of the host through Fnr. In summary, our findings reveal a MlrA-mediated virulence regulation pathway that enables V. cholerae to sense environmental signals at the infection site to precisely activate virulence gene expression, thus providing useful insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of V. cholerae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Wu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Yutao Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China,Nankai International Advanced Research Institute, Nankai University Shenzhen, China
| | - Wendi Li
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Li
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruiying Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Sun
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingliang Qin
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohui Feng
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Di Huang
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China,Nankai International Advanced Research Institute, Nankai University Shenzhen, China,Di Huang TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, TEDA, Tianjin, China
| | - Bin Liu
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China,Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China,Nankai International Advanced Research Institute, Nankai University Shenzhen, China,CONTACT Bin Liu TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, TEDA, Tianjin, China
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