Histidine protein kinases: key signal transducers outside the animal kingdom

Hindguts of Kyphosus sydneyanus harbor phylogenetically and genomically distinct Alistipes capable of degrading algal polysaccharides and diazotrophy

The genus Alistipes (Bacteroidota) is most often associated with human clinical samples and livestock. However, Alistipes are also prevalent in the hindgut of the marine herbivorous fish Kyphosus sydneyanus (Silver Drummer), and analysis of their carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) encoding gene repertoires suggests Alistipes degrade macroalgal biomass to support fish nutrition. To further explore host-associated traits unique to K. sydneyanus-derived Alistipes, we compared 445 high-quality genomes of Alistipes available in public databases (e.g., human and ruminant associated) with 99 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the K. sydneyanus gut. Analyses showed that Alistipes from K. sydneyanus are phylogenetically distinct from other hosts and comprise 26 species based on genomic average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses. Ruminant- and fish-derived Alistipes had significantly smaller genomes than human-derived strains, and lower GC contents, possibly reflecting a symbiotic relationship with their hosts. The fish-derived Alistipes were further delineated by their genetic capacity to fix nitrogen, biosynthesize cobalamin (vitamin B12), and utilize marine polysaccharides (e.g., alginate and carrageenan). The distribution of CAZymes encoded by Alistipes from K. sydneyanus was not phylogenetically conserved. Distinct CAZyme gene compositions were observed between closely related species. Conversely, CAZyme gene clusters (operons) targeting the same substrates were found across diverse species. Nonetheless, transcriptional data suggest that closely related Alistipes target specific groups of substrates within the fish hindgut. Results highlight host-specific adaptations among Alistipes in the fish hindgut that likely contribute to K. sydneyanus digesting their seaweed diet, and diverse and redundant carbohydrate-degrading capabilities across these Alistipes species.IMPORTANCEDespite numerous reports of the Alistipes genus in humans and ruminants, its diversity and function remain understudied, and there is no clear consensus on whether it positively or negatively impacts host health. Given the symbiotic role of gut communities in the Kyphosus sydneyanus hindgut, where Alistipes are prevalent, and the diversity of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) encoded that likely contribute to the breakdown of important substrates in the host diet, it is likely that this genus provides essential services to the fish host. Therefore, considering its metabolism in various contexts and hosts is crucial for understanding the ecology of the genus. Our study highlights the distinct genetic traits of Alistipes based on host association, and the potential of fish-associated Alistipes to transform macroalgae biomass into nutraceuticals (alginate oligosaccharides, β-glucans, sulfated galactans, and sulfated fucans).

Evaluation of expanded 2-aminobenzothiazole library as inhibitors of a model histidine kinase and virulence suppressors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a rapidly increasing threat to human health. New strategies to combat resistant organisms are desperately needed. One potential avenue is targeting two-component systems, which are the main bacterial signal transduction pathways used to regulate development, metabolism, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. These systems consist of a homodimeric membrane-bound sensor histidine kinase, and a cognate effector, the response regulator. Histidine kinases play an essential role in the regulation of multiple virulence mechanisms including toxin production, immune evasion, and antibiotic resistance. Targeting virulence, as opposed to development of bactericidal compounds, could reduce evolutionary pressure for acquired resistance. Additionally, compounds targeting the highly conserved catalytic and adenosine triphosphate-binding (CA) domain have the potential to impair multiple two-component systems that regulate virulence in one or more pathogens. We conducted in vitro structure-activity relationship studies of 2-aminobenzothiazole-based inhibitors designed to target the CA domain. We found that these compounds, which inhibit the model histidine kinase, HK853 from Thermotoga maritima, have anti-virulence activities inPseudomonas aeruginosa, reducing motility phenotypes and toxin production associated with the pathogenic functions of this bacterium.

Cryo-EM structures of a bathy phytochrome histidine kinase reveal a unique light-dependent activation mechanism

Phytochromes are photoreceptor proteins in plants, fungi, and bacteria. They can adopt two photochromic states with differential biochemical responses. The structural changes transducing the signal from the chromophore to the biochemical output modules are poorly understood due to challenges in capturing structures of the dynamic, full-length protein. Here, we present cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the phytochrome from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaBphP) in its resting (Pfr) and photoactivated (Pr) state. The kinase-active Pr state has an asymmetric, dimeric structure, whereas the kinase-inactive Pfr state opens up. This behavior is different from other known phytochromes and we explain it with the unusually short connection between the photosensory and output modules. Multiple sequence alignment of this region suggests evolutionary optimization for different modes of signal transduction in sensor proteins. The results establish a new mechanism for light-sensing by phytochrome histidine kinases and provide input for the design of optogenetic phytochrome variants.

Mechanism of activation and autophosphorylation of a histidine kinase

Histidine kinases (HK) are one of the main prokaryotic signaling systems. Two structurally conserved catalytic domains inside the HK enable autokinase, phosphotransfer, and phosphatase activities. Here, we focus on a detailed mechanistic understanding of the functional cycle of the WalK HK by a multi-scale simulation approach, consisting of classical as well as hybrid QM/MM molecular dynamics simulation. Strikingly, a conformational transition induced solely in DHp leads to the correct activated conformation in CA crucial for autophosphorylation. This finding explains how variable sensor domains induce the transition from inactive to active state. The subsequent autophosphorylation inside DHp proceeds via a penta-coordinated transition state to a protonated phosphohistidine intermediate. This intermediate is consequently deprotonated by a suitable nearby base. The reaction energetics are controlled by the final proton acceptor and presence of a magnesium cation. The slow rates of the process result from the high energy barrier of the conformational transition between inactive and active states. The phosphorylation step exhibits a lower barrier and down-the-hill energetics. Thus, our work suggests a detailed mechanistic model for HK autophosphorylation.

Advancing Antibiotic-Resistant Microbe Combat: Nanocarrier-Based Systems in Combination Therapy Targeting Quorum Sensing

The increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria presents a significant risk to worldwide public health, emphasizing the necessity of novel approaches to address infections. Quorum sensing, an essential method of communication among bacteria, controls activities like the formation of biofilms, the production of virulence factors, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites according to the number of individuals in the population. Quorum quenching, which interferes with these processes, emerges as a vital approach to diminish bacterial virulence and prevent biofilm formation. Nanocarriers, characterized by their small size, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, and modifiable surface chemistry, offer a versatile platform for the disruption of bacterial communication by targeting various stages within the quorum sensing pathway. These features allow nanocarriers to infiltrate biofilms, disrupt cell membranes, and inhibit bacterial proliferation, presenting a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Integrating nanocarrier-based systems into combination therapies provides a multi-pronged approach to infection control, enhancing both the efficacy and specificity of treatment regimens. Nonetheless, challenges related to the stability, safety, and clinical effectiveness of nanomaterial-based antimicrobial treatments remain. Continued research and development are essential to overcoming these obstacles and fully harnessing the potential of nano-antimicrobial therapies. This review emphasizes the importance of quorum sensing in bacterial behavior and highlights the transformative potential of nanotechnology in advancing antimicrobial treatments, offering innovative solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Toward Practical Applications of Engineered Living Materials with Advanced Fabrication Techniques

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are materials composed of or incorporating living cells as essential functional units. These materials can be created using bottom-up approaches, where engineered cells spontaneously form well-defined aggregates. Alternatively, top-down methods employ advanced materials science techniques to integrate cells with various kinds of materials, creating hybrids where cells and materials are intricately combined. ELMs blend synthetic biology with materials science, allowing for dynamic responses to environmental stimuli such as stress, pH, humidity, temperature, and light. These materials exhibit unique "living" properties, including self-healing, self-replication, and environmental adaptability, making them highly suitable for a wide range of applications in medicine, environmental conservation, and manufacturing. Their inherent biocompatibility and ability to undergo genetic modifications allow for customized functionalities and prolonged sustainability. This review highlights the transformative impact of ELMs over recent decades, particularly in healthcare and environmental protection. We discuss current preparation methods, including the use of endogenous and exogenous scaffolds, living assembly, 3D bioprinting, and electrospinning. Emphasis is placed on ongoing research and technological advancements necessary to enhance the safety, functionality, and practical applicability of ELMs in real-world contexts.

Synthesis and biochemical characterization of naphthoquinone derivatives targeting bacterial histidine kinases

Waldiomycin is an inhibitor of histidine kinases (HKs). Although most HK inhibitors target the ATP-binding region, waldiomycin binds to the intracellular dimerization domain (DHp domain) with its naphthoquinone moiety presumed to interact with the conserved H-box region. To further develop inhibitors targeting the H-box, various 2-aminonaphthoquinones with cyclic, aliphatic, or aromatic amino groups and naphtho [2,3-d] isoxazole-4,9-diones were synthesized. These compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity (IC50) against WalK, an essential HK for Bacillus subtilis growth, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against B. subtilis. As a result, 11 novel HK inhibitors were obtained as naphthoquinone derivatives (IC50: 12.6-305 µM, MIC: 0.5-128 µg ml-1). The effect of representative compounds on the expression of WalK/WalR regulated genes in B. subtilis was investigated. Four naphthoquinone derivatives induced the expression of iseA (formerly yoeB), whose expression is negatively regulated by the WalK/WalR system. This suggests that these compounds inhibit WalK in B. subtilis cells, resulting in antibacterial activity. Affinity selection/mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify whether these naphthoquinone derivatives interact with WalK in a manner similar to waldiomycin. Three compounds were found to competitively inhibit the binding of waldiomycin to WalK, suggesting that they bind to the H-box region conserved in HKs and inhibit HK activity.

Study on the gut symbiotic microbiota in long- and short-winged brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), is one of the most important rice pests in Asia rice regions. BPH has monophagy, migration, rapid reproduction and strong environmental adaptability, and its control is a major problem in pest management. Adult BPH exhibit wing dimorphism, and the symbiotic microbiota enriched in the gut can provide energy for wing flight muscles as a source of nutrition. In order to study the diversity of symbiotic microbiota in different winged BPHs, this paper takes female BPH as the research object. It was found that the number of symbiotic microbiota of different winged BPHs would change at different development stages. Then, based on the 16S rRNA and ITS sequences, a metagenomic library was constructed, combined with fluorescent quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing, the dominant symbiotic microbiota flora in the gut of different winged BPHs was found, and the community structure and composition of symbiotic microbiota in different winged BPHs were further determined. Together, our results preliminarily revealed that symbiotic microbiota in the gut of BPHs have certain effects on wing morphology, and understanding the mechanisms underlying wing morph differentiation will clarify how nutritional factors or environmental cues alter or regulate physiological and metabolic pathways. These findings also establish a theoretical basis for subsequent explorations into BPH-symbiont interplay.

The role of kinases in peripheral nerve regeneration: mechanisms and implications

Peripheral nerve injury disease is a prevalent traumatic condition in current medical practice. Despite the present treatment approaches, encompassing surgical sutures, autologous nerve or allograft nerve transplantation, tissue engineering techniques, and others, an effective clinical treatment method still needs to be discovered. Exploring novel treatment methods to improve peripheral nerve regeneration requires more effort in investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Many factors are associated with the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, including the cross-sectional area of the injured nerve, the length of the nerve gap defect, and various cellular and molecular factors such as Schwann cells, inflammation factors, kinases, and growth factors. As crucial mediators of cellular communication, kinases exert regulatory control over numerous signaling cascades, thereby participating in various vital biological processes, including peripheral nerve regeneration after nerve injury. In this review, we examined diverse kinase classifications, distinct nerve injury types, and the intricate mechanisms involved in peripheral nerve regeneration. Then we stressed the significance of kinases in regulating autophagy, inflammatory response, apoptosis, cell cycle, oxidative processes, and other aspects in establishing conductive microenvironments for nerve tissue regeneration. Finally, we briefly discussed the functional roles of kinases in different types of cells involved in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Deciphering the Genomic Landscape and Virulence Mechanisms of the Wheat Powdery Mildew Pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1: Insights from Integrated Genome Assembly and Conidial Transcriptomics

A high-quality genome sequence from an Indian isolate of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1, a persistent threat in wheat farming, was obtained using a hybrid method. The assembly of over 9.24 million DNA-sequence reads resulted in 93 contigs, totaling a 140.61 Mb genome size, potentially encoding 8480 genes. Notably, more than 73.80% of the genome, spanning approximately 102.14 Mb, comprises retro-elements, LTR elements, and P elements, influencing evolution and adaptation significantly. The phylogenomic analysis placed B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1 in a distinct monocot-infecting clade. A total of 583 tRNA anticodon sequences were identified from the whole genome of the native virulent strain B. graminis f. sp. tritici, which comprises distinct genome features with high counts of tRNA anticodons for leucine (70), cysteine (61), alanine (58), and arginine (45), with only two stop codons (Opal and Ochre) present and the absence of the Amber stop codon. Comparative InterProScan analysis unveiled "shared and unique" proteins in B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1. Identified were 7707 protein-encoding genes, annotated to different categories such as 805 effectors, 156 CAZymes, 6102 orthologous proteins, and 3180 distinct protein families (PFAMs). Among the effectors, genes like Avra10, Avrk1, Bcg-7, BEC1005, CSEP0105, CSEP0162, BEC1016, BEC1040, and HopI1 closely linked to pathogenesis and virulence were recognized. Transcriptome analysis highlighted abundant proteins associated with RNA processing and modification, post-translational modification, protein turnover, chaperones, and signal transduction. Examining the Environmental Information Processing Pathways in B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1 revealed 393 genes across 33 signal transduction pathways. The key pathways included yeast MAPK signaling (53 genes), mTOR signaling (38 genes), PI3K-Akt signaling (23 genes), and AMPK signaling (21 genes). Additionally, pathways like FoxO, Phosphatidylinositol, the two-component system, and Ras signaling showed significant gene representation, each with 15-16 genes, key SNPs, and Indels in specific chromosomes highlighting their relevance to environmental responses and pathotype evolution. The SNP and InDel analysis resulted in about 3.56 million variants, including 3.45 million SNPs, 5050 insertions, and 5651 deletions within the whole genome of B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1. These comprehensive genome and transcriptome datasets serve as crucial resources for understanding the pathogenicity, virulence effectors, retro-elements, and evolutionary origins of B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1, aiding in developing robust strategies for the effective management of wheat powdery mildew.

Lipids productivity of cyanobacterium Anabaena vaginicola in an internally illuminated photobioreactor using LED bar lights

Concerns over environmental issues exists and desire to decrease of their extent, have directed efforts toward green energy production. Growth behavior of Anabaena vaginicola was determined in a photobioreator which illuminated internally (IIPBR) using LED bar light. Excessive heat generated in the IIPBR was taken care of by applying a novel air-cooled system. Further note in experimentation was to find favorable cultivation conditions in the IIPBR for A. vaginicola growth and its lipids production capacity. The following results are expressed: 80 µmol photons m-2 s-1 as light intensity, 0.5 g/l as NaNO3, and 120 ml/min as CO2 amount being expressed in terms of aeration rate. The findings were interpreted in terms of a two-component system where the genes encoded to the relevant proteins are present in cyanobacteria and their expressiveness depends on environmental stress. By determining growth rate constant as 0.11 d-1, the productivity in terms of biomass formation was calculated as 202.6 mg L-1 d-1. While rate of lipids production by the test cyanobacterium is 15.65 mg L-1 d-1. Based on total energy used for IIPBR performance, biomass productivity per unit power input equals to 0.74 g W-1 d-1 and this is in favorable position compared with other photobioreactors.

Comparative analysis of the diversity of symbionts in fat body of long- and short-winged brown planthoppers

The microbial community structure plays an important role in the internal environment of brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), which is an indispensable part to reflect the internal environment of BPH. Wing dimorphism is a strategy for balancing flight and reproduction of insects. Here, quantitative fluorescence PCR was used to analyse the number and changes of the symbionts in the fat body of long- and short-winged BPHs at different developmental stages. A metagenomic library was constructed based on the 16 S rRNA sequence and internal transcribed spacer sequence for high-throughput sequencing, to analyze the community structure and population number of the symbionts of long- and short-winged BPHs, and to make functional prediction. This study enriches the connotation of BPH symbionts, and laid a theoretical foundation for the subsequent study of BPH-symbionts interaction and the function of symbionts in the host.

Monitoring host-pathogen interactions using chemical proteomics

With the rapid emergence and the dissemination of microbial resistance to conventional chemotherapy, the shortage of novel antimicrobial drugs has raised a global health threat. As molecular interactions between microbial pathogens and their mammalian hosts are crucial to establish virulence, pathogenicity, and infectivity, a detailed understanding of these interactions has the potential to reveal novel therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. Bidirectional molecular communication between microbes and eukaryotes is essential for both pathogenic and commensal organisms to colonise their host. In particular, several devastating pathogens exploit host signalling to adjust the expression of energetically costly virulent behaviours. Chemical proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool to interrogate the protein interaction partners of small molecules and has been successfully applied to advance host-pathogen communication studies. Here, we present recent significant progress made by this approach and provide a perspective for future studies.

Hist-i-fy-a multiple histidine post-translational-modification (PTM) prediction server based on protein sequences using convolution neural network: a case study on mass spectroscopy data

Computational characterization of multiple Histidine (His) post-translational-modifications (PTM) at enzyme active sites complements tedious experimental characterization in proteins-of-unknown-functions (PUFs) and domain-of-unknown-functions (DUFs). There are only a handful of Histidine-PTM-prediction-tools and those also annotate only a single function. Here, we addressed the problem using artificial neural networks on functional histidine dataset curated from enzyme (protein) sequences available in UniProt database (sample size n = 1584). The convolution-neural-network (CNN) model ('Hist-i-fy') performed the best with 75% overall accuracy/F1-score. A case study was performed on histidine-phosphorylation (n = 34) obtained from mass spectroscopy data. For the first time, we report multiple His-PTM-prediction-tool (https://histify.streamlit.app/& https://github.com/dibyansu24-maker/Histify), with optimal performance. The inputs to the tool are (i) protein sequence containing histidine, and (ii) the histidine residue number. Prediction output is one out of the eight histidine functions-acetylation, ribosylation, glycosylation, hydroxylation, methylation, oxidation, phosphorylation, and protein splicing.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Evaluation of Expanded 2-Aminobenzothiazole Library for Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Phenotypes

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a rapidly increasing threat to human health. New strategies to combat resistant organisms are desperately needed. One potential avenue is targeting two-component systems, which are the main bacterial signal transduction pathways used to regulate development, metabolism, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. These systems consist of a homodimeric membrane-bound sensor histidine kinase, and a cognate effector, the response regulator. The high sequence conservation in the catalytic and adenosine triphosphate-binding (CA) domain of histidine kinases and their essential role in bacterial signal transduction could enable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Through this signal transduction, histidine kinases regulate multiple virulence mechanisms including toxin production, immune evasion, and antibiotic resistance. Targeting virulence, as opposed to development of bactericidal compounds, could reduce evolutionary pressure for acquired resistance. Additionally, compounds targeting the CA domain have the potential to impair multiple two-component systems that regulate virulence in one or more pathogens. We conducted structure-activity relationship studies of 2-aminobenzothiazole-based inhibitors designed to target the CA domain of histidine kinases. We found these compounds have anti-virulence activities in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, reducing motility phenotypes and toxin production associated with the pathogenic functions of this bacterium.

A Model of the Full-Length Cytokinin Receptor: New Insights and Prospects

Cytokinins (CK) are one of the most important classes of phytohormones that regulate a wide range of processes in plants. A CK receptor, a sensor hybrid histidine kinase, was discovered more than 20 years ago, but the structural basis for its signaling is still a challenge for plant biologists. To date, only two fragments of the CK receptor structure, the sensory module and the receiver domain, were experimentally resolved. Some other regions were built up by molecular modeling based on structures of proteins homologous to CK receptors. However, in the long term, these data have proven insufficient for solving the structure of the full-sized CK receptor. The functional unit of CK receptor is the receptor dimer. In this article, a molecular structure of the dimeric form of the full-length CK receptor based on AlphaFold Multimer and ColabFold modeling is presented for the first time. Structural changes of the receptor upon interacting with phosphotransfer protein are visualized. According to mathematical simulation and available data, both types of dimeric receptor complexes with hormones, either half- or fully liganded, appear to be active in triggering signals. In addition, the prospects of using this and similar models to address remaining fundamental problems of CK signaling were outlined.

Innate functions of natural products: A promising path for the identification of novel therapeutics

In the course of evolution, living organisms have become well equipped with diverse natural products that serve important functions, including defence from biotic and abiotic stress, growth regulation, reproduction, metabolism, and epigenetic regulation. It seems to be the organism's ecological niche that influences the natural product's structural and functional diversity. Indeed, natural products constitute the nuts and bolts of molecular co-evolution and ecological relationships among different life forms. Since natural products in the form of specialized secondary metabolites exhibit biological functions via interactions with specific target proteins, they can provide a simultaneous glimpse of both new therapeutics and therapeutic targets in humans as well. In this review, we have discussed the innate role of natural products in the ecosystem and how this intrinsic role provides a futuristic opportunity to identify new drugs and therapeutic targets rapidly.

Tomato salt-responsive pseudo-response regulator 1, SlSRP1, negatively regulates the high-salt and dehydration stress responses

Under severe environmental stress conditions, plants inhibit their growth and development and initiate various defense mechanisms to survive. The pseudo-response regulator (PRRs) genes have been known to be involved in fruit ripening and plant immunity in various plant species, but their role in responses to environmental stresses, especially high salinity and dehydration, remains unclear. Here, we focused on PRRs in tomato plants and identified two PRR2-like genes, SlSRP1 and SlSRP1H, from the leaves of salt-treated tomato plants. After exposure to dehydration and high-salt stresses, expression of SISRP1, but not SlSRP1H, was significantly induced in tomato leaves. Subcellular localization analysis showed that SlSRP1 was predominantly located in the nucleus, while SlSRP1H was equally distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm. To further investigate the potential role of SlSRP1 in the osmotic stress response, we generated SISRP1-silenced tomato plants. Compared to control plants, SISRP1-silenced tomato plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to high salinity, as evidenced by a high accumulation of proline and reduced chlorosis, ion leakage, and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, SISRP1-silenced tomato plants showed dehydration-tolerant phenotypes with enhanced abscisic acid sensitivity and increased expression of stress-related genes, including SlRD29, SlAREB, and SlDREB2. Overall, our findings suggest that SlSRP1 negatively regulates the osmotic stress response.

Metal Messengers: Communication in the Bacterial World through Transition-Metal-Sensing Two-Component Systems

Bacteria survive in highly dynamic and complex environments due, in part, to the presence of systems that allow the rapid control of gene expression in the presence of changing environmental stimuli. The crosstalk between intra- and extracellular bacterial environments is often facilitated by two-component signal transduction systems that are typically composed of a transmembrane histidine kinase and a cytosolic response regulator. Sensor histidine kinases and response regulators work in tandem with their modular domains containing highly conserved structural features to control a diverse array of genes that respond to changing environments. Bacterial two-component systems are widespread and play crucial roles in many important processes, such as motility, virulence, chemotaxis, and even transition metal homeostasis. Transition metals are essential for normal prokaryotic physiological processes, and the presence of these metal ions may also influence pathogenic virulence if their levels are appropriately controlled. To do so, bacteria use transition-metal-sensing two-component systems that bind and respond to rapid fluctuations in extracytosolic concentrations of transition metals. This perspective summarizes the structural and metal-binding features of bacterial transition-metal-sensing two-component systems and places a special emphasis on understanding how these systems are used by pathogens to establish infection in host cells and how these systems may be targeted for future therapeutic developments.

Transmembrane Transcription Regulators Are Widespread in Bacteria and Archaea

To adapt and proliferate, bacteria must sense and respond to the ever-changing environment. Transmembrane transcription regulators (TTRs) are a family of one-component transcription regulators that respond to extracellular information and influence gene expression from the cytoplasmic membrane. How TTRs function to modulate expression of their target genes while localized to the cytoplasmic membrane remains poorly understood. In part, this is due to a lack of knowledge regarding the prevalence of TTRs among prokaryotes. Here, we show that TTRs are highly diverse and prevalent throughout bacteria and archaea. Our work demonstrates that TTRs are more common than previously appreciated and are enriched within specific bacterial and archaeal phyla and that many TTRs have unique transmembrane region properties that can facilitate association with detergent-resistant membranes. IMPORTANCE One-component signal transduction systems are the major class of signal transduction systems among bacteria and are commonly cytoplasmic. TTRs are a group of unique one-component signal transduction systems that influence transcription from the cytoplasmic membrane. TTRs have been implicated in a wide array of biological pathways critical for both pathogens and human commensal organisms but were considered to be rare. Here, we demonstrate that TTRs are in fact highly diverse and broadly distributed in bacteria and archaea. Our findings suggest that transcription factors can access the chromosome and influence transcription from the membrane in both archaea and bacteria. This study challenges thus the commonly held notion that signal transduction systems require a cytoplasmic transcription factor and highlights the importance of the cytoplasmic membrane in directly influencing signal transduction.

Protein posttranslational modifications in health and diseases: Functions, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications

Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) refer to the breaking or generation of covalent bonds on the backbones or amino acid side chains of proteins and expand the diversity of proteins, which provides the basis for the emergence of organismal complexity. To date, more than 650 types of protein modifications, such as the most well-known phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, methylation, SUMOylation, short-chain and long-chain acylation modifications, redox modifications, and irreversible modifications, have been described, and the inventory is still increasing. By changing the protein conformation, localization, activity, stability, charges, and interactions with other biomolecules, PTMs ultimately alter the phenotypes and biological processes of cells. The homeostasis of protein modifications is important to human health. Abnormal PTMs may cause changes in protein properties and loss of protein functions, which are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. In this review, we systematically introduce the characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and functions of various PTMs in health and diseases. In addition, the therapeutic prospects in various diseases by targeting PTMs and associated regulatory enzymes are also summarized. This work will deepen the understanding of protein modifications in health and diseases and promote the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic markers and drug targets for diseases.

The protein kinases of Dictyostelia and their incorporation into a signalome

Protein kinases are major regulators of cellular processes, but the roles of most kinases remain unresolved. Dictyostelid social amoebas have been useful in identifying functions for 30% of its kinases in cell migration, cytokinesis, vesicle trafficking, gene regulation and other processes but their upstream regulators and downstream effectors are mostly unknown. Comparative genomics can assist to distinguish between genes involved in deeply conserved core processes and those involved in species-specific innovations, while co-expression of genes as evident from comparative transcriptomics can provide cues to the protein complement of regulatory networks. Genomes and developmental and cell-type specific transcriptomes are available for species that span the 0.5 billion years of evolution of Dictyostelia from their unicellular ancestors. In this work we analysed conservation and change in the abundance, functional domain architecture and developmental regulation of protein kinases across the 4 major taxon groups of Dictyostelia. All data are summarized in annotated phylogenetic trees of the kinase subtypes and accompanied by functional information of all kinases that were experimentally studied. We detected 393 different protein kinase domains across the five studied genomes, of which 212 were fully conserved. Conservation was highest (71%) in the previously defined AGC, CAMK, CK1, CMCG, STE and TKL groups and lowest (26%) in the "other" group of typical protein kinases. This was mostly due to species-specific single gene amplification of "other" kinases. Apart from the AFK and α-kinases, the atypical protein kinases, such as the PIKK and histidine kinases were also almost fully conserved. The phylogeny-wide developmental and cell-type specific expression profiles of the protein kinase genes were combined with profiles from the same transcriptomic experiments for the families of G-protein coupled receptors, small GTPases and their GEFs and GAPs, the transcription factors and for all genes that upon lesion generate a developmental defect. This dataset was subjected to hierarchical clustering to identify clusters of co-expressed genes that potentially act together in a signalling network. The work provides a valuable resource that allows researchers to identify protein kinases and other regulatory proteins that are likely to act as intermediates in a network of interest.

A Survey of Two-Component Systems in Coxiella burnetii Reveals Redundant Regulatory Schemes and a Requirement for an Atypical PhoBR System in Mammalian Cell Infection

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the etiological agent of Q fever in humans. C. burnetii transitions between a replicative, metabolically active large-cell variant (LCV) and a spore-like, quiescent small-cell variant (SCV) as a likely mechanism to ensure survival between host cells and mammalian hosts. C. burnetii encodes three canonical two-component systems, four orphan hybrid histidine kinases, five orphan response regulators, and a histidine phosphotransfer protein, which have been speculated to play roles in the signaling required for C. burnetii morphogenesis and virulence. However, very few of these systems have been characterized. By employing a CRISPR interference system for genetic manipulation of C. burnetii, we created single- and multigene transcriptional knockdown strains targeting most of these signaling genes. Through this, we revealed a role for the C. burnetii PhoBR canonical two-component system in virulence, regulation of [Pi] maintenance, and Pi transport. We also outline a novel mechanism by which PhoBR function may be regulated by an atypical PhoU-like protein. We also determined that the GacA.2/GacA.3/GacA.4/GacS orphan response regulators coordinately and disparately regulate expression of SCV-associated genes in C. burnetii LCVs. These foundational results will inform future studies on the role of C. burnetii two-component systems in virulence and morphogenesis. IMPORTANCE C. burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium with a spore-like stability allowing it to survive long periods of time in the environment. This stability is likely due to its biphasic developmental cycle, whereby it can transition from an environmentally stable small-cell variant (SCV) to a metabolically active large-cell variant (LCV). Here, we define the role of two-component phosphorelay systems (TCS) in C. burnetii's ability to survive within the harsh environment contained in the phagolysosome of host cells. We show that the canonical PhoBR TCS has an important role in C. burnetii virulence and phosphate sensing. Further examination of the regulons controlled by orphan regulators indicated a role in modulating gene expression of SCV-associated genes, including genes essential for cell wall remodeling.

Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability

Recent advances in synthetic biology and materials science have given rise to a new form of materials, namely engineered living materials (ELMs), which are composed of living matter or cell communities embedded in self-regenerating matrices of their own or artificial scaffolds. Like natural materials such as bone, wood, and skin, ELMs, which possess the functional capabilities of living organisms, can grow, self-organize, and self-repair when needed. They also spontaneously perform programmed biological functions upon sensing external cues. Currently, ELMs show promise for green energy production, bioremediation, disease treatment, and fabricating advanced smart materials. This review first introduces the dynamic features of natural living systems and their potential for developing novel materials. We then summarize the recent research progress on living materials and emerging design strategies from both synthetic biology and materials science perspectives. Finally, we discuss the positive impacts of living materials on promoting sustainability and key future research directions.

Design of an artificial phage-display library based on a new scaffold improved for average stability of the randomized proteins

Scaffold-based protein libraries are designed to be both diverse and rich in functional/folded proteins. However, introducing an extended diversity while preserving stability of the initial scaffold remains a challenge. Here we developed an original approach to select the ensemble of folded proteins from an initial library. The thermostable CheY protein from Thermotoga maritima was chosen as scaffold. Four loops of CheY were diversified to create a new binding surface. The subset of the library giving rise to folded proteins was first selected using a natural protein partner of the template scaffold. Then, a gene shuffling approach based on a single restriction enzyme was used to recombine DNA sequences encoding these filtrated variants. Taken together, the filtration strategy and the shuffling of the filtrated sequences were shown to enrich the library in folded and stable sequences while maintaining a large diversity in the final library (Lib-Cheytins 2.1). Binders of the Oplophorus luciferase Kaz domain were then selected by phage display from the final library, showing affinities in the μM range. One of the best variants induced a loss of 92% of luminescent activity, suggesting that this Cheytin preferentially binds to the Kaz active site.

The role of sensory kinase proteins in two-component signal transduction

Two-component systems (TCSs) are modular signaling circuits that regulate diverse aspects of microbial physiology in response to environmental cues. These molecular circuits comprise a sensor histidine kinase (HK) protein that contains a conserved histidine residue, and an effector response regulator (RR) protein with a conserved aspartate residue. HKs play a major role in bacterial signaling, since they perceive specific stimuli, transmit the message across the cytoplasmic membrane, and catalyze their own phosphorylation, and the trans-phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of their cognate response regulator. The molecular mechanisms by which HKs co-ordinate these functions have been extensively analyzed by genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches. Here, we describe the most common modular architectures found in bacterial HKs, and address the operation mode of the individual functional domains. Finally, we discuss the use of these signaling proteins as drug targets or as sensing devices in whole-cell biosensors with medical and biotechnological applications.

Distribution of two-component signal transduction systems BlpRH and ComDE across streptococcal species

Two-component signal transduction (TCS) systems are important regulatory pathways in streptococci. A typical TCS encodes a membrane-anchored sensor kinase (SK) and a cytoplasmic response regulator (RR). Approximately, 20 different types of TCSs are encoded by various streptococci. Among them, two TCSs, in particular BlpRH and ComDE, are required for bacteriocins production and competence development. The SK component of these two TCSs is highly similar and belongs to the protein kinase-10 (HPK-10) subfamily. While these two TCSs are present in streptococci, no systematic studies have been done to differentiate between these two TCSs, and the existence of these pathways in several species of the genus Streptococcus is also unknown. The lack of information about these pathways misguided researchers for decades into believing that the Streptococcus mutans BlpRH system is a ComDE system. Here, we have attempted to distinguish between the BlpRH and ComDE systems based on the location of the chromosome, genomic arrangement, and conserved residues. Using the SyntTax and NCBI databases, we investigated the presence of both TCS systems in the genome of several streptococcal species. We noticed that the NCBI database did not have proper annotations for these pathways in several species, and many of them were wrongly annotated, such as CitS or DpiB instead of BlpH. Nevertheless, our critical analyses led us to classify streptococci into two groups: class A (only the BlpRH system) and class B (both the BlpRH and ComDE systems). Most of the streptococcal groups, including bovis, pyogenic, mutans, salivarius, and suis, encode only the BlpRH system. In contrast, only in the mitis and anginosus groups were both the TCS systems present. The focus of this review is to identify and differentiate between the BlpRH and ComDE systems, and discuss these two pathways in various streptococci.

Phosphoprotein Profile of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedlings under Osmotic Stress after Pretreatment with Chitosan

This study aims to identify novel chitosan (CTS)-responsive phosphoproteins in Leung Pratew 123 (LPT123) and Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML105) as drought-sensitive rice cultivars and differences in the CTS response. Rice seeds were soaked in CTS solution before germination, and 2- and 4-week-old rice seedlings sprayed with CTS before osmotic stress comprised the following four groups: (1) seedlings treated with distilled water; (2) seedlings treated with CTS; (3) seedlings pretreated with distilled water and subjected to osmotic stress; and (4) seedlings pretreated with CTS and subjected to osmotic stress. Phosphoproteins of leaf tissues were enriched using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) before tryptic digestion and analysis via LC-MS. Phosphoprotein profiling analyses led to the identification of 4721 phosphoproteins representing 1052 and 1040 unique phosphoproteins in the LPT123 and KDML105 seedlings, respectively. In response to CTS pretreatment before osmotic stress, 22 differently expressed proteins were discovered, of which 10 and 12 were identified in the LPT123 and KDML105, respectively. These proteins are typically involved in signaling, transport, protein folding, protein degradation, and metabolism. This study provides fruitful data to understand the signal transduction mechanisms of rice seedlings pretreated with CTS before exposure to osmotic stress.

High-quality metagenome-assembled genomes from proximal colonic microbiomes of synbiotic-treated korean native black pigs reveal changes in functional capacity

Synbiotics are feed supplements with the potential to promote health and productivity in pigs partly, through modulation of the intestinal microbiome. Our study used shotgun sequencing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques to characterize the effect of a synbiotic containing three Lactobacillus species and a fructo-oligosaccharide on the proximal colonic microbiome of 4- to 7-month-old Korean native black gilts. With shotgun sequencing we constructed unique metagenome-assembled genomes of gut microbiota in Native Black Pig for the first time, which we then used for downstream analysis. Results showed that synbiotic treatment did not alter microbial diversity and evenness within the proximal colons, but altered composition of some members of the Lactobacillaceae, Enterococcaceae and Streptococcaceae families. Functional analysis of the shotgun sequence data revealed 8 clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) that were differentially represented in the proximal colonic microbiomes of synbiotic-treated Jeju black pigs relative to controls. In conclusion, our results show that administering this synbiotic causes changes in the functional capacity of the proximal colonic microbiome of the Korean native black pig. This study improves our understanding of the potential impact of synbiotics on the colonic microbiome of Korean native black pigs.

A pseudokinase version of the histidine kinase ChrS promotes high heme tolerance of Corynebacterium glutamicum

Heme is an essential cofactor for almost all living cells by acting as prosthetic group for various proteins or serving as alternative iron source. However, elevated levels are highly toxic for cells. Several corynebacterial species employ two paralogous, heme-responsive two-component systems (TCS), ChrSA and HrrSA, to cope with heme stress and to maintain intracellular heme homeostasis. Significant cross-talk at the level of phosphorylation between these systems was previously demonstrated. In this study, we have performed a laboratory evolution experiment to adapt Corynebacterium glutamicum to increasing heme levels. Isolated strains showed a highly increased tolerance to heme growing at concentrations of up to 100 μM. The strain featuring the highest heme tolerance harbored a frameshift mutation in the catalytical and ATPase-domain (CA-domain) of the chrS gene, converting it into a catalytically-inactive pseudokinase (ChrS_CA-fs). Reintroduction of the respective mutation in the parental C. glutamicum strain confirmed high heme tolerance and showed a drastic upregulation of hrtBA encoding a heme export system, conserved in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. The strain encoding the ChrS pseudokinase variant showed significantly higher heme tolerance than a strain lacking chrS. Mutational analysis revealed that induction of hrtBA in the evolved strain is solely mediated via the cross-phosphorylation of the response regulator (RR) ChrA by the kinase HrrS and BACTH assays revealed the formation of heterodimers between HrrS and ChrS. Overall, our results emphasize an important role of the ChrS pseudokinase in high heme tolerance of the evolved C. glutamicum and demonstrate the promiscuity in heme-dependent signaling of the paralogous two-component systems facilitating fast adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

Cytokinin and abiotic stress tolerance -What has been accomplished and the way forward?

More than a half-century has passed since it was discovered that phytohormone cytokinin (CK) is essential to drive cytokinesis and proliferation in plant tissue culture. Thereafter, cytokinin has emerged as the primary regulator of the plant cell cycle and numerous developmental processes. Lately, a growing body of evidence suggests that cytokinin has a role in mitigating both abiotic and biotic stress. Cytokinin is essential to defend plants against excessive light exposure and a unique kind of abiotic stress generated by an altered photoperiod. Secondly, cytokinin also exhibits multi-stress resilience under changing environments. Furthermore, cytokinin homeostasis is also affected by several forms of stress. Therefore, the diverse roles of cytokinin in reaction to stress, as well as its interactions with other hormones, are discussed in detail. When it comes to agriculture, understanding the functioning processes of cytokinins under changing environmental conditions can assist in utilizing the phytohormone, to increase productivity. Through this review, we briefly describe the biological role of cytokinin in enhancing the performance of plants growth under abiotic challenges as well as the probable mechanisms underpinning cytokinin-induced stress tolerance. In addition, the article lays forth a strategy for using biotechnological tools to modify genes in the cytokinin pathway to engineer abiotic stress tolerance in plants. The information presented here will assist in better understanding the function of cytokinin in plants and their effective investigation in the cropping system.

Tight Complex Formation of the Fumarate Sensing DcuS-DcuR Two-Component System at the Membrane and Target Promoter Search by Free DcuR Diffusion

Signaling of two-component systems by phosphoryl transfer requires interaction of the sensor kinase with the response regulator. Interaction of the C4-dicarboxylate-responsive and membrane-integral sensor kinase DcuS with the response regulator DcuR was studied. In vitro, the cytoplasmic part of DcuS (PAS_C-Kin) was employed. Stable complexes were formed, when either DcuS or DcuR were phosphorylated (K_d 22 ± 11 and 28 ± 7 nM, respectively). The unphosphorylated proteins produced a more labile complex (K_d 1380 ± 395 nM). Bacterial two-hybrid studies confirm interaction of DcuR with DcuS (and PAS_C-Kin) in vivo. The absolute contents of DcuR (197-979 pmol mg⁻¹ protein) in the bacteria exceeded those of DcuS by more than 1 order of magnitude. According to the K_d values, DcuS exists in complex, with phosphorylated but also unphosphorylated DcuR. In live cell imaging, the predominantly freely diffusing DcuR becomes markedly less mobile after phosphorylation and activation of DcuS by fumarate. Portions of the low mobility fraction accumulated at the cell poles, the preferred location of DcuS, and other portions within the cell, representing phosphorylated DcuR bound to promoters. In the model, acitvation of DcuS increases the affinity toward DcuR, leading to DcuS-P × DcuR formation and phosphorylation of DcuR. The complex is stable enough for phosphate-transfer, but labile enough to allow exchange between DcuR from the cytosol and DcuR-P of the complex. Released DcuR-P diffuses to target promoters and binds. Uncomplexed DcuR-P in the cytosol binds to nonactivated DcuS and becomes dephosphorylated. The lower affinity between DcuR and DcuS avoids blocking of DcuS and allows rapid exchange of DcuR.

IMPORTANCE Complex formation of membrane-bound sensor kinases with the response regulators represents an inherent step of signaling from the membrane to the promoters on the DNA. In the C4-dicarboxylate-sensing DcuS-DcuR two-component system, complex formation is strengthened by activation (phosphorylation) in vitro and in vivo, with trapping of the response regulator DcuR at the membrane. Single-molecule tracking of DcuR in the bacterial cell demonstrates two populations of DcuR with decreased mobility in the bacteria after activation: one at the membrane, but a second in the cytosol, likely representing DNA-bound DcuR. The data suggest a model with binding of DcuR to DcuS-P for phosphorylation, and of DcuR-P to DcuS for dephosphorylation, allowing rapid adaptation of the DcuR phosphorylation state. DcuR-P is released and transferred to DNA by 3D diffusion.

Identification of BcARR Genes and CTK Effects on Stalk Development of Flowering Chinese Cabbage

Flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) is an important and extensively cultivated vegetable in south China, whose major food product is the stalk. In the process of stalk formation, its initiation and development are regulated by a series of hormonal signals, such as cytokinin and gibberellin. In this study, we analyzed the effects of zeatin (ZT) and gibberellin A3 (GA3), and their interaction, on the bolting of flowering Chinese cabbage. The results indicated that the three-true-leaf spraying of ZT and GA synthesis inhibitor (PAC) inhibited plant height but increased stem diameter. Cytokinin (CTK) synthesis inhibitor (YZJ) and GA3 treatment increased plant height and decreased stem diameter. In addition, ZT and GA3 co-treated plants displayed antagonistic effect. Further, 19 type-B authentic response regulators (ARR-Bs), the positive regulators of cytokinin signal transduction were identified from flowering Chinese cabbage. Comprehensive analysis of phylogeny showed BcARR-Bs clustered into three subfamilies with 10 conserved motifs. Analysis of their expression patterns in different tissues and at various growth stage, and their response to hormone treatment suggest that ARR1-b localized in the nucleus displayed unique highest expression patterns in stem tips, are responsive both to ZT and GA, suggesting a significant role in mediating the crosstalk of ZT and GA in the bolting of flowering Chinese cabbage.

Metabolic Regulation of Mesophilic Methanosarcina barkeri to Ammonium Inhibition

Undesirable ammonium concentrations can lead to unstable anaerobic digestion processes, and Methanosarcina spp. are the representative methanogens under inhibition. However, no known work seems to exist for directly exploring the detailed metabolic regulation of pure cultured representative Methanosarcina spp. to ammonium inhibition. We used transcriptomics and proteomics to profile the metabolic regulation of Methanosarcina barkeri to 1, 4, and 7 g N/L of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), where free ammonia concentrations were between 1.5 and 36.1 mg N/L. At the initial stages of ammonium inhibition, the genes participating in the acquisition and assimilation of reduced nitrogen sources showed significant upregulation where the minimal fold change of gene transcription was about 2. Apart from nitrogen metabolism, the transcription of some genes in methanogenesis also significantly increased at the initial stages. For example, the genes encoding alternative heterodisulfide reductase subunits (HdrAB), energy-converting hydrogenase subunit (EchC), and methanophenazine-dependent hydrogenase subunits (VhtAC) were significantly upregulated by at least 2.05 times. For the element translocation at the initial stages, the genes participating in the uptake of ferrous iron, potassium ion, and molybdate were significantly upregulated with a minimal fold change of 2.10. As the cultivation proceeded, the gene encoding the cell division protein subunit (FtsH) was significantly upregulated by 13.0 times at 7 g N/L of TAN; meanwhile, an increment in OD₆₀₀ was observed at the terminal sampling point of 7 g N/L of TAN. The present study explored the metabolic regulation of M. barkeri in stress response, protein synthesis, signal transduction, nitrogen metabolism, methanogenesis, and element translocation. The results would contribute to the understanding of the metabolic effects of ammonium inhibition on methanogens and have significant practical implication in inhibited anaerobic digestion.

Long Chain Fatty Acids and Virulence Repression in Intestinal Bacterial Pathogens

When bacterial pathogens enter the gut, they encounter a complex milieu of signaling molecules and metabolites produced by host and microbial cells or derived from external sources such as the diet. This metabolomic landscape varies throughout the gut, thus establishing a biogeographical gradient of signals that may be sensed by pathogens and resident bacteria alike. Enteric bacterial pathogens have evolved elaborate mechanisms to appropriately regulate their virulence programs, which involves sensing and responding to many of these gut metabolites to facilitate successful gut colonization. Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) represent major constituents of the gut metabolome that can impact bacterial functions. LCFAs serve as important nutrient sources for all cellular organisms and can function as signaling molecules that regulate bacterial metabolism, physiology, and behaviors. Moreover, in several enteric pathogens, including Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio cholerae, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, LCFA sensing results in the transcriptional repression of virulence through two general mechanisms. First, some LCFAs function as allosteric inhibitors that decrease the DNA binding affinities of transcriptional activators of virulence genes. Second, some LCFAs also modulate the activation of histidine kinase receptors, which alters downstream intracellular signaling networks to repress virulence. This mini-review will summarize recent studies that have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which different LCFA derivatives modulate the virulence of enteric pathogens, while also highlighting important gaps in the field regarding the roles of LCFAs as determinants of infection and disease.

Gut Microbiota Markers and Dietary Habits Associated with Extreme Longevity in Healthy Sardinian Centenarians

This study was aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota (GM) and its functional profile in two groups of Sardinian subjects with a long healthy life expectancy, overall named Long-Lived Subjects (LLS) [17 centenarians (CENT) and 29 nonagenarians (NON)] by comparing them to 46 healthy younger controls (CTLs). In addition, the contribution of genetics and environmental factors to the GM phenotype was assessed by comparing a subgroup of seven centenarian parents (CPAR) with a paired cohort of centenarians’ offspring (COFF). The analysis was performed through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the V3 and V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene on the MiSeq Illumina platform. The Verrucomicrobia phylum was identified as the main biomarker in CENT, together with its members Verrucomicrobiaceae, Akkermansia and Akkermansia muciniphila. In NON, the strongest associations concern Actinobacteria phylum, Bifidobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium, while in CTLs were related to the Bacteroidetes phylum, Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides and Bacteroides spp. Intestinal microbiota of CPAR and COFF did not differ significantly from each other. Significant correlations between bacterial taxa and clinical and lifestyle data, especially with Mediterranean diet adherence, were observed. We observed a harmonically balanced intestinal community structure in which the increase in taxa associated with intestinal health would limit and counteract the action of potentially pathogenic bacterial species in centenarians. The GM of long-lived individuals showed an intrinsic ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, as confirmed by functional analysis. The GM analysis of centenarians’ offspring suggest that genetics and environmental factors act synergistically as a multifactorial cause in the modulation of GM towards a phenotype similar to that of centenarians, although these findings need to be confirmed by larger study cohorts and by prospective studies.

Review: Isoprenoid and aromatic cytokinins in shoot branching

Shoot branching is an important event of plant development that defines growth and reproduction. The BRANCHED1 gene (BRC1/TB1/FC1) is crucial for this process. Within the phytohormones, cytokinins directly activate axillary buds to promote shoot branching. In addition, strigolactones and auxins inhibit bud outgrowth. This review addresses the involvement of aromatic and isoprenoid cytokinins in shoot branching. And how auxins and strigolactones contribute to regulating this process also. The results obtained by others and our working group with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) show that cytokinins affect both shoot and root apical meristem development, consistent with other plant species. However, many questions remain about how cytokinins and strigolactones antagonistically regulate BRC1 gene expression. Additionally, many details of the interaction among cytokinins, auxins, and strigolactones need to be clarified. We will gain a more comprehensive scheme of bud outgrowth with these details.

Cytokinin increases vegetative growth period by suppressing florigen expression in rice and maize

Increasing the vegetative growth period of crops can increase biomass and grain yield. In rice (Oryza sativa), the concentration of trans -zeatin, an active cytokinin, was high in the leaves during vegetative growth and decreased rapidly upon induction of florigen expression, suggesting that this hormone is involved in the regulation of the vegetative phase. To elucidate whether exogenous cytokinin application influences the length of the vegetative phase, we applied 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) to rice plants at various developmental stages. Our treatment delayed flowering time by 8-9 days when compared with mock-treated rice plants, but only at the transition stage when the flowering signals were produced. Our observations also showed that flowering in the paddy field is delayed by thidiazuron, a stable chemical that mimics the effects of cytokinin. The transcript levels of florigen genes Heading date 3a (Hd3a) and Rice Flowering locus T1 (RFT1) were significantly reduced by the treatment, but the expression of Early heading date 1 (Ehd1), a gene found directly upstream of the florigen genes, was not altered. In maize (Zea mays), similarly, BAP treatment increased the vegetative phage by inhibiting the expression of ZCN8, an ortholog of Hd3a. We showed that cytokinin treatment induced the expression of two type-A response regulators (OsRR1 and OsRR2) which interacted with Ehd1, a type-B response regulator. We also observed that cytokinin did not affect flowering time in ehd1 knockout mutants. Our study indicates that cytokinin application increases the duration of the vegetative phase by delaying the expression of florigen genes in rice and maize by inhibiting Ehd1.

Biogeochemical profiling and taxonomic characterization of municipal landfill site by metagenomic sequencing

Most of the discarded waste material paves their way to the utmost common dumping grounds, Landfills. Despite their widespread use, the landfill microbiomes are still not well characterized. Metagenomics approach provides insight into the identification of operational parameters influencing the microbiome composition and their biodegradation competencies. The metagenomic DNA was prepared to explore taxonomical community structure, phylogenetic relationships, and functional profile at the same time. A total of 100,021,052 high-quality filtered reads were acquired with a GC abundance of 62.59%. Taxonomical abundance revealed the dominance of phylum Proteobacteria and genes involved in biomolecules metabolism, aromatic compound degradation, stress tolerance, xenobiotic biodegradation etc. were revealed functionally. The intricate heterogeneous environment of landfill revealed well flourished biogeochemical metabolic profiles including nitrogen metabolism. This is the first study for the generated metagenome of Ghazipur landfill and the obtained results propose that microbial communities in landfill settings are far more intricate than expected. It remain mostly unexplored which demands the usage of multiple platforms for a better understanding.

Deletion of Non-histidine Domains of Histidine Kinase CHK1 Diminishes the Infectivity of Candida albicans in an Oral Mucosal Model

Objectives

The histidine kinase (HK) CHK1 and other protein kinases in Candida albicans are key players in the development of hyphae. This study is designed to determine the functional roles of the S_Tkc domain (protein kinase) and the GAF domain of C. albicans CHK1 in hyphal formation and mucosal invasion.

Methods

The domain mutants CHK25 (^ΔS_TkcCHK1/Δchk1) and CHK26 (^ΔS_TkcΔgafCHK1/Δchk1) were first constructed by the his1-URA3-his1 method and confirmed by sequencing and Southern blots. A mouse tongue infection model was used to evaluate the hyphal invasion and fungal loads in each domain mutant, full-gene deletion mutant CHK21 (chk1Δ/chk1Δ), re-constituted strain CHK23 (chk1Δ/CHK1), and wild type (WT) from day 1 to day 5. The degree of invasion and damage to the oral mucosa of mice in each strain-infected group was evaluated in vivo and compared with germ tube rate and hyphal formation in vitro.

Result

When compared with severe mucosal damage and massive hyphal formation in WT- or CHK23-infected mouse tongues, the deletion of S_Tkc domain (CHK25) caused mild mucosal damage, and fungal invasion was eliminated as we observed in full-gene mutant CHK21. However, the deletion of S_Tkc and GAF (CHK26) partially restored the hyphal invasion and mucosal tissue damage that were exhibited in WT and CHK23. Regardless of the in vivo results, the decreased hyphal formation and germ tube in vitro were less apparent and quite similar between CHK25 and CHK26, especially at the late stage of the log phase where CHK26 was closer to WT and CHK23. However, growth defect and hyphal impairment of both domain mutants were similar to CHK21 in the early stages.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that both protein kinase (S_Tkc) and GAF domains in C. albicans CHK1 are required for hyphal invasiveness in mucosal tissue. The appropriate initiation of cell growth and hyphal formation at the lag phase is likely mediated by these two functional domains of CHK1 to maintain in vivo infectivity of C. albicans.

Genetic determinants of ammonium excretion in nifL mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii

The ubiquitous diazotrophic soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii has been extensively studied as a model organism for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). In A. vinelandii, BNF is regulated by the NifL-NifA two-component system, where NifL acts as an anti-activator that tightly controls the activity of the nitrogen fixation specific transcriptional activator, NifA, in response to redox, nitrogen, and carbon status. While several studies reported mutations in A. vinelandii nifL resulted in the deregulation of nitrogenase expression and the release of large quantities of ammonium, knowledge about the specific determinants for this ammonium-excreting phenotype is lacking. In this work, we report that only specific disruptions of nifL lead to large quantities of ammonium accumulated in liquid culture (∼12 mM). The ammonium excretion phenotype is solely associated with deletions of NifL domains combined with the insertion of a promoter sequence in the opposite orientation to nifLA transcription. We further demonstrated that the strength of the inserted promoter could influence the amounts of ammonium excreted by affecting rnf1 gene expression as an additional requirement for ammonium excretion. These ammonium-excreting nifL mutants significantly stimulate the transfer of fixed nitrogen to rice. This work defines discrete determinants that bring about A. vinelandii ammonium excretion and demonstrates that strains can be generated through simple gene editing to provide promising biofertilizers capable of transferring nitrogen to crops. Importance There is a considerable interest in the engineering of ammonium-excreting bacteria for use in agriculture to promote the growth of plants under fixed nitrogen-limiting conditions. This work defines discrete determinants that bring about A. vinelandii ammonium excretion and demonstrates that strains can be generated through simple gene editing to provide promising biofertilizers capable of transferring nitrogen to crops.

Conformational variation in enzyme catalysis: A structural study on catalytic residues

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We introduce a pipeline to compare and contrast active sites from homologous enzymes in 3D.

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Comprehensive structural study covering enzymes from a large functional space.

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High heterogeneity in magnitude of active site flexibililty between enzyme families.

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Diffferent catalytic residue types and functions relate to different degrees of flexibility.

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Four paradigms classify enzymes according to the structural behaviour during catalysis.

Conformational variation in catalytic residues can be captured as alternative snapshots in enzyme crystal structures. Addressing the question of whether active site flexibility is an intrinsic and essential property of enzymes for catalysis, we present a comprehensive study on the 3D variation of active sites of 925 enzyme families, using explicit catalytic residue annotations from the Mechanism and Catalytic Site Atlas and structural data from the Protein Data Bank. Through weighted pairwise superposition of the functional atoms of active sites, we captured structural variability at single-residue level and examined the geometrical changes as ligands bind or as mutations occur. We demonstrate that catalytic centres of enzymes can be inherently rigid or flexible to various degrees according to the function they perform, and structural variability most often involves a subset of the catalytic residues, usually those not directly involved in the formation or cleavage of bonds. Moreover, data suggest that 2/3 of active sites are flexible, and in half of those, flexibility is only observed in the side chain. The goal of this work is to characterise our current knowledge of the extent of flexibility at the heart of catalysis and ultimately place our findings in the context of the evolution of catalysis as enzymes evolve new functions and bind different substrates.

The specific inhibition of glycerol synthesis and the phosphorylation of a putative MAPK give insight into the mechanism of osmotic sensing in a dinoflagellate symbiont

Signaling pathways are fundamental for the establishment and maintenance of diverse symbioses. The symbiosis of cnidarians and dinoflagellate algae is the foundation for the ecological success of coral reefs, involving the transfer of photosynthetic products from symbiont to host. However, signal transduction pathways for this symbiosis remain uncharacterized. Cultured and natural cnidarian symbionts can produce glycerol, one of the main translocated photosynthates. Here, we investigate whether a signal transduction pathway may be involved in inducing glycerol synthesis in cultured symbionts under an osmotic stress model. We evaluated the effect of specific inhibitors of the main transduction pathways, p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2 in Brevolium minutum, the symbiont of the Aiptasia model system. We found that glycerol production and the specific activity of the enzyme Gpdh were selectively inhibited by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Additionally, the phosphorylation of a putative p38-like protein was rapidly detected. Finally, we studied the presence of each of the components of the p38 MAPK pathway in silico, in genomes and transcriptomes reported up to date for different symbiont types. We propose a model for the arrangement of this pathway in the family of dinoflagellate symbionts known as Symbiodiniaceae.

The two-component signal transduction system and its regulation in Candida albicans

Candida albicans, which can cause superficial and life-threatening systemic infections, is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen in the human microbiome. The two-component system is one of the most important C. albicans signal transduction pathways, regulating the response to oxidative and osmotic stresses, adhesion, morphogenesis, cell wall synthesis, virulence, drug resistance, and the host-pathogen interactions. Notably, some components of this signaling pathway have not been found in the human genome, indicating that the two-component system of C. albicans can be a potential target for new antifungal agents. Here, we summarize the composition, signal transduction, and regulation of the two-component system of C. albicans to emphasize its essential roles in the pathogenesis of C. albicans and the new therapeutic target for antifungal drugs.

Hybrid de novo genome-reassembly reveals new insights on pathways and pathogenicity determinants in rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae RMg_Dl

Blast disease incited by Magnaporthe oryzae is a major threat to sustain rice production in all rice growing nations. The pathogen is widely distributed in all rice paddies and displays rapid aerial transmissions, and seed-borne latent infection. In order to understand the genetic variability, host specificity, and molecular basis of the pathogenicity-associated traits, the whole genome of rice infecting Magnaporthe oryzae (Strain RMg_Dl) was sequenced using the Illumina and PacBio (RSII compatible) platforms. The high-throughput hybrid assembly of short and long reads resulted in a total of 375 scaffolds with a genome size of 42.43 Mb. Furthermore, comparative genome analysis revealed 99% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with other oryzae genomes and 83% against M. grisea, and 73% against M. poe genomes. The gene calling identified 10,553 genes with 10,539 protein-coding sequences. Among the detected transposable elements, the LTR/Gypsy and Type LINE showed high occurrence. The InterProScan of predicted protein sequences revealed that 97% protein family (PFAM), 98% superfamily, and 95% CDD were shared among RMg_Dl and reference 70-15 genome, respectively. Additionally, 550 CAZymes with high GH family content/distribution and cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDE) such endoglucanase, beta-glucosidase, and pectate lyase were also deciphered in RMg_Dl. The prevalence of virulence factors determination revealed that 51 different VFs were found in the genome. The biochemical pathway such as starch and sucrose metabolism, mTOR signaling, cAMP signaling, MAPK signaling pathways related genes were identified in the genome. The 49,065 SNPs, 3267 insertions and 3611 deletions were detected, and majority of these varinats were located on downstream and upstream region. Taken together, the generated information will be useful to develop a specific marker for diagnosis, pathogen surveillance and tracking, molecular taxonomy, and species delineation which ultimately leads to device improved management strategies for blast disease.

Two component system CpxR/A regulates the prodigiosin biosynthesis by negative control in Serratia marcescens FS14

Prodigiosin is a tripyrrole red secondary metabolite synthesized by many microorganisms, including Serratia marcescens. In this study, we found that the deletion of the gene of sensor kinase CpxA dramatically decreased the prodigiosin production, while the deletion of the gene of the response regulator CpxR or both genes of CpxRA has no effect on prodigiosin production, the kinase function of CpxA is not essential for its regulation on prodigiosin production while the phosphorylation site of CpxR is required. We further demonstrated that the CpxA regulates the prodigiosin biosynthesis at the transcriptional level and the phosphatase activity of CpxA plays vital roles in the regulation of prodigiosin biosynthesis. Finally, we proposed that CpxR/A regulates the prodigiosin biosynthesis by negative control and the phosphorylation level of CpxR may determine the positive or negative control of the genes it regulated.

Regulation of Resistance in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: The VanRS Two-Component System

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a serious threat to human health, with few treatment options being available. New therapeutics are urgently needed to relieve the health and economic burdens presented by VRE. A potential target for new therapeutics is the VanRS two-component system, which regulates the expression of vancomycin resistance in VRE. VanS is a sensor histidine kinase that detects vancomycin and in turn activates VanR; VanR is a response regulator that, when activated, directs expression of vancomycin-resistance genes. This review of VanRS examines how the expression of vancomycin resistance is regulated, and provides an update on one of the field's most pressing questions: How does VanS sense vancomycin?

Proteome Response of Meretrix Bivalves Hepatopancreas Exposed to Paralytic Shellfish Toxins Producing Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) contamination of seafood has become a growing global problem. However, the molecular response of bivalves, some of the most popular seafoods, to PSP toxins has seldom been reported and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the interactions between Meretrix meretrix bivalves and PSTs-producing dinoflagellates are scarcely known. This study compared the protein expression profiles between PSP toxin-contaminated and non-PSP toxin contaminated M. meretrix, determined proteome responses and identified potential biomarkers based on feeding experiments. Results showed that the content of total PSP toxins in contaminated bivalves was 40.63 ± 4.08 μg saxitoxin (STX) equivalents per gram, with 95.3% in hepatopancreas, followed by gill (1.82%) and foot (1.79%). According to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), 15 differentially expressed proteins (at least 2-fold difference) between the hepatopancreas of bivalves with and without PSP toxins were detected. Eight of them were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF MS. These were catalase, protein ultraspiracle homolog, G2 and S phase-expression protein, paramyosin, Mn-superoxide dismutase, response regulator receiver domain-containing protein, sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein and major facilitator superfamily transporters. The differences in the expression levels of the last three proteins involving in cell signaling, structure and membrane transport were 4.2, 5.3 and 4.9-fold, respectively. These proteins could be further developed as potential biomarkers. The other two up-regulated proteins, Mn-superoxide dismutase and catalase, were involved in cell defence mechanisms against oxidative stress, suggesting PSP toxin acts as xenobiotics and poses oxidative stress in bivalves. This study gives insights into the response of bivalves to PSP toxin-producing dinoflagellate at the proteomic level and the potential of using 2-DE to develop specific protein markers in bivalves.

Multistep Signaling in Nature: A Close-Up of Geobacter Chemotaxis Sensing

Environmental changes trigger the continuous adaptation of bacteria to ensure their survival. This is possible through a variety of signal transduction pathways involving chemoreceptors known as methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP) that allow the microorganisms to redirect their mobility towards favorable environments. MCP are two-component regulatory (or signal transduction) systems (TCS) formed by a sensor and a response regulator domain. These domains synchronize transient protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events to convert the stimuli into an appropriate cellular response. In this review, the variability of TCS domains and the most common signaling mechanisms are highlighted. This is followed by the description of the overall cellular topology, classification and mechanisms of MCP. Finally, the structural and functional properties of a new family of MCP found in Geobacter sulfurreducens are revisited. This bacterium has a diverse repertoire of chemosensory systems, which represents a striking example of a survival mechanism in challenging environments. Two G. sulfurreducens MCP—GSU0582 and GSU0935—are members of a new family of chemotaxis sensor proteins containing a periplasmic PAS-like sensor domain with a c-type heme. Interestingly, the cellular location of this domain opens new routes to the understanding of the redox potential sensing signaling transduction pathways.