A non-catalytic histidine residue influences the function of the metalloprotease of Listeria monocytogenes

Subversion strategies of lysosomal killing by intracellular pathogens

Many pathogenic organisms need to reach either an intracellular compartment or the cytoplasm of a target cell for their survival, replication or immune system evasion. Intracellular pathogens frequently penetrate into the cell through the endocytic and phagocytic pathways (clathrin-mediated endocytosis, phagocytosis and macropinocytosis) that culminates in fusion with lysosomes. However, several mechanisms are triggered by pathogenic microorganisms - protozoan, bacteria, virus and fungus - to avoid destruction by lysosome fusion, such as rupture of the phagosome and thereby release into the cytoplasm, avoidance of autophagy, delaying in both phagolysosome biogenesis and phagosomal maturation and survival/replication inside the phagolysosome. Here we reviewed the main data dealing with phagosome maturation and evasion from lysosomal killing by different bacteria, protozoa, fungi and virus.

Site-directed mutagenesis (P61G) of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase enhances its kinetic properties and tolerance to inactivation by H2O2

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) protect the cells by catalyzing the dismutation of harmful superoxide radicals (O₂^•-) into molecular oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Here, a Cu, Zn SOD (WT) from a high altitude plant (Potentilla atrosanguinea) was engineered by substituting a conserved residue proline to glycine at position 61 (P61G). The computational analysis showed higher structural flexibility and clusters in P61G than WT. The P61G exhibited moderately higher catalytic efficiency (K_m = 0.029 μM, V_max = 1488) than WT protein (K_m = 0.038 μM, V_max = 1290.11). P61G showed higher thermostability as revealed from residual activity (72.25% for P61G than 59.31% for WT after heating at 80 °C for 60 min), differential calorimetry scanning and CD-spectroscopic analysis. Interestingly, the P61G mutation also resulted in enhanced tolerance to H₂O₂ inactivation than WT protein. The finding on enhancing the biophysico-chemical properties by mutating conserved residue could stand as an example to engineer other enzymes. Also, the reported mutant can be exploited in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Bacterial phospholipases C with dual activity: phosphatidylcholinesterase and sphingomyelinase

Bacterial phospholipases and sphingomyelinases are lipolytic esterases that are structurally and evolutionarily heterogeneous. These enzymes play crucial roles as virulence factors in several human and animal infectious diseases. Some bacterial phospholipases C (PLCs) have both phosphatidylcholinesterase and sphingomyelinase C activities. Among them, Listeria  monocytogenes PlcB, Clostridium perfringens PLC, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PlcH are the most deeply understood. In silico predictions of substrates docking with these three bacterial enzymes provide evidence that they interact with different substrates at the same active site. This review discusses structural aspects, substrate specificity, and the mechanism of action of those bacterial enzymes on target cells and animal infection models to shed light on their roles in pathogenesis.

High-Efficiency, Two-Step Scarless-Markerless Genome Genetic Modification in Salmonella enterica

We present a two-step method for scarless–markerless genome genetic modification in Salmonella enterica based on the improved suicide plasmid pGMB152. The whole LacZYA gene can provide a lacZ-based blue/white screening strategy for fast selection of double-crossover mutants by allelic exchange. The high efficiency of this genetic engineering strategy permits the study of gene function by gene knockin, site-directed mutagenesis, and gene knockout to construct live attenuated vaccines.