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Podlacha M, Gaffke L, Grabowski Ł, Mantej J, Grabski M, Pierzchalska M, Pierzynowska K, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophage DNA induces an interrupted immune response during phage therapy in a chicken model. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2274. [PMID: 38480702 PMCID: PMC10937645 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46555-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the hopes for overcoming the antibiotic resistance crisis is the use of bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections, the so-called phage therapy. This therapeutic approach is generally believed to be safe for humans and animals as phages should infect only prokaryotic cells. Nevertheless, recent studies suggested that bacteriophages might be recognized by eukaryotic cells, inducing specific cellular responses. Here we show that in chickens infected with Salmonella enterica and treated with a phage cocktail, bacteriophages are initially recognized by animal cells as viruses, however, the cGAS-STING pathway (one of two major pathways of the innate antiviral response) is blocked at the stage of the IRF3 transcription factor phosphorylation. This inhibition is due to the inability of RNA polymerase III to recognize phage DNA and to produce dsRNA molecules which are necessary to stimulate a large protein complex indispensable for IRF3 phosphorylation, indicating the mechanism of the antiviral response impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jagoda Mantej
- Univentum Labs, Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Pierzchalska
- Department of Biotechnology and General Technology of Foods, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture, Balicka 122, 30-149, Cracow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
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2
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Podlacha M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophages-Dangerous Viruses Acting Incognito or Underestimated Saviors in the Fight against Bacteria? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2107. [PMID: 38396784 PMCID: PMC10889324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The steadily increasing number of drug-resistant bacterial species has prompted the search for alternative treatments, resulting in a growing interest in bacteriophages. Although they are viruses infecting bacterial cells, bacteriophages are an extremely important part of the human microbiota. By interacting with eukaryotic cells, they are able to modulate the functioning of many systems, including the immune and nervous systems, affecting not only the homeostasis of the organism, but potentially also the regulation of pathological processes. Therefore, the aim of this review is to answer the questions of (i) how animal/human immune systems respond to bacteriophages under physiological conditions and under conditions of reduced immunity, especially during bacterial infection; (ii) whether bacteriophages can induce negative changes in brain functioning after crossing the blood-brain barrier, which could result in various disorders or in an increase in the risk of neurodegenerative diseases; and (iii) how bacteriophages can modify gut microbiota. The crucial dilemma is whether administration of bacteriophages is always beneficial or rather if it may involve any risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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3
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Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Licznerska K, Dydecka A, Topka-Bielecka G, Necel A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Complex effects of the exo-xis region of the Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophage Φ24 B genome on the phage development and the Escherichia coli host physiology. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:191-211. [PMID: 37968427 PMCID: PMC10789677 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00799-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Lambdoid bacteriophages are excellent models in studies on molecular aspects of virus-host interactions. However, some of them carry genes encoding toxins which are responsible for virulence of pathogenic strains of bacteria. Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages (Stx phages) encode Shiga toxins that cause virulence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), and their effective production depends on Stx prophage induction. The exo-xis region of the lambdoid phage genome consists of genes which are dispensable for the phage multiplication under laboratory conditions; however, they might modulate the virus development. Nevertheless, their exact effects on the phage and host physiology remained unclear. Here, we present results of complex studies on the role of the exo-xis region of bacteriophage Φ24B, one of Stx2b phages. Transcriptomic analyses, together with proteomic and metabolomic studies, provided the basis for understanding the functions of the exo-xis region. Genes from this region promoted lytic development of the phage over lysogenization. Moreover, expression of the host genes coding for DnaK, DnaJ, GrpE, and GroELS chaperones was impaired in the cells infected with the Δexo-xis phage mutant, relative to the wild-type virus, corroborating the conclusion about lytic development promotion by the exo-xis region. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses indicated also modulation of gad and nrf operons, and levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines, respectively. In conclusion, the exo-xis region controls phage propagation and host metabolism by influencing expression of different phage and bacterial genes, directing the virus to the lytic rather than lysogenic developmental mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
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4
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Grabowski Ł, Choszcz M, Wiśniewska K, Gaffke L, Namiotko D, Podlacha M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G, Pierzynowska K. Induction of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis by enrofloxacin in the context of the safety issue of its use in poultry. Apoptosis 2024:10.1007/s10495-024-01937-6. [PMID: 38281280 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01937-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics in both humans and livestock has led to the antibiotic resistance phenomenon which is now considered one of the biggest problems in the modern world. Some antibiotics used to control or prevent infections in livestock poultry were registered a long time ago, and as a result, data on the possible side effects of their use, both for birds and humans, are incomplete and should be updated. An example of such an antibiotic is enrofloxacin which has been widely used in poultry since 1989. Data in recent years have begun to indicate that this antibiotic induces the process of apoptosis in diverse types of eukaryotic cells. Unfortunately, such studies have never been conducted on chicken models even though it is in poultry that this antibiotic is most commonly used. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate whether enrofloxacin induces apoptosis in chicken cells of the UMNSAH/DF-1 line and to study the molecular mechanism of its action. The results of these experiments indicated that enrofloxacin induces apoptosis in chicken cells but not in human HEK-293 and PC3 cells. This induction was accompanied by changes in the morphology and size of mitochondria, the process of apoptosome formation and activation of executive caspases, which clearly indicates the role of the mitochondrial pathway in the induction of apoptosis by enrofloxacin. This study is the first to show the toxicity of enrofloxacin against chicken cells and to demonstrate the exact mechanism of its action. The results presented in this work show the need to monitor the concentration of antibiotic residues in poultry foods as well as to study their impact on public health to guarantee consumer safety and prevent the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grabowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5A, Warsaw, 02-106, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Marta Choszcz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Karolina Wiśniewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Dominika Namiotko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Kładki 24, Gdansk, 80-822, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk, 80-308, Poland.
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Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Topka G, Mantej J, Grabowski Ł, Necel A, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Propagation, Purification, and Characterization of Bacteriophages for Phage Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:357-400. [PMID: 37966610 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Phage therapy is an alternative approach to combat bacterial infections. In this approach, bacteriophages are used as antimicrobial agents due to their properties to infect specific bacterial cells, to propagate inside their hosts, and to lyse host cell to release progeny phages. However, to introduce bacteriophages to clinical or veterinary practice, it is necessary to construct a large library of precisely characterized phages. Therefore, in this chapter, methods for propagation, purification, and microbiological characterization of bacteriophages are presented in the light of their potential use in phage therapy. Isolation of newly discovered bacteriophages from different habitats is also described as it is a preliminary assessment of their efficacy in combating bacterial biofilms and in the treatment of bacterial infections in a simple insect model-Galleria mellonella.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Laboratory, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
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Węgrzyn A. Editorial: Phage therapy in infectious diseases of animals and humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1334273. [PMID: 38146311 PMCID: PMC10749313 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1334273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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7
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Grabowski Ł, Pierzynowska K, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Stasiłojć M, Jerzemowska G, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G, Podlacha M. Sex-dependent differences in behavioral and immunological responses to antibiotic and bacteriophage administration in mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133358. [PMID: 37304279 PMCID: PMC10247983 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The problem of antibiotic resistance is a global one, involving many industries and entailing huge financial outlays. Therefore, the search for alternative methods to combat drug-resistant bacteria has a priority status. Great potential is seen in bacteriophages which have the natural ability to kill bacterial cells. Bacteriophages also have several advantages over antibiotics. Firstly, they are considered ecologically safe (harmless to humans, plants and animals). Secondly, bacteriophages preparations are readily producible and easy to apply. However, before bacteriophages can be authorized for medical and veterinary use, they must be accurately characterized in vitro and in vivo to determinate safety. Methods Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify for the first time the behavioral and immunological responses of both male and female mice (C57BL/6J) to bacteriophage cocktail, composed of two bacteriophages, and to two commonly used antibiotics, enrofloxacin and tetracycline. Animal behavior, the percentage of lymphocyte populations and subpopulations, cytokine concentrations, blood hematological parameters, gastrointestinal microbiome analysis and the size of internal organs, were evaluated. Results Unexpectedly, we observed a sex-dependent, negative effect of antibiotic therapy, which not only involved the functioning of the immune system, but could also significantly impaired the activity of the central nervous system, as manifested by disruption of the behavioral pattern, especially exacerbated in females. In contrast to antibiotics, complex behavioral and immunological analyses confirmed the lack of adverse effects during the bacteriophage cocktail administration. Discussion The mechanism of the differences between males and females in appearance of adverse effects, related to the behavioral and immune functions, in the response to antibiotic treatment remains to be elucidated. One might imagine that differences in hormones and/or different permeability of the blood-brain barrier can be important factors, however, extensive studies are required to find the real reason(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Bacteriophage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Stasiłojć
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grażyna Jerzemowska
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center of Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Grabowski Ł, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A, Podlacha M. Highly different effects of phage therapy and antibiotic therapy on immunological responses of chickens infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956833. [PMID: 36211337 PMCID: PMC9539762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The appearance of bacteria resistant to most or even all known antibiotics has become a serious medical problem. One such promising and effective alternative form of therapy may be the use of phages, the administration of which is considered to be safe and highly effective, especially in animals with drug-resistant infections. Although there have been no reports to date suggesting that bacteriophages can cause any severe complications or adverse effects, we still know little about their interactions with animal organisms, especially in the context of the functioning of the immune system. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the impact of the application of selected bacteriophages and antibiotics (enrofloxacin and colistin), commonly used in veterinary medicine, on immune functions in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium-infected chickens. The birds were infected with S. Typhimurium and then treated with a phage cocktail (14 days), enrofloxacin (5 days), or colistin (5 days). The concentrations of a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-8, and IL-12) and cytokines that reveal anti-inflammatory effects (IL-10 and IL-4), the percentage of lymphocytes, and the level of stress hormones (corticosterone and cortisol), which significantly modulate the immune responses, were determined in different variants of the experiment. The phage cocktail revealed anti-inflammatory effects when administered either 1 day after infection or 2 days after S. Typhimurium detection in feces, as measured by inhibition of the increase in levels of inflammatory response markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-8, and IL-12). This was also confirmed by increased levels of cytokines that exert an anti-inflammatory action (IL-10 and IL-4) following phage therapy. Moreover, phages did not cause a negative effect on the number and activity of lymphocytes’ subpopulations crucial for normal immune system function. These results indicate for the first time that phage therapy not only is effective but also can be used in veterinary medicine without disturbing immune homeostasis, expressed as cytokine imbalance, disturbed percentage of key immune cell subpopulations, and stress axis hyperactivity, which were observed in our experiments as adverse effects accompanying the antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- *Correspondence: Magdalena Podlacha,
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9
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Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Podlacha M, Grabowski Ł, Stasiłojć M, Nowak-Zaleska A, Ciemińska K, Cyske Z, Dydecka A, Gaffke L, Mantej J, Myślińska D, Necel A, Pierzynowska K, Piotrowska E, Radzanowska-Alenowicz E, Rintz E, Sitko K, Topka-Bielecka G, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Biological aspects of phage therapy versus antibiotics against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection of chickens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:941867. [PMID: 35992162 PMCID: PMC9385949 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.941867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy is a promising alternative treatment of bacterial infections in human and animals. Nevertheless, despite the appearance of many bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics, these drugs still remain important therapeutics used in human and veterinary medicine. Although experimental phage therapy of infections caused by Salmonella enterica was described previously by many groups, those studies focused solely on effects caused by bacteriophages. Here, we compared the use of phage therapy (employing a cocktail composed of two previously isolated and characterized bacteriophages, vB_SenM-2 and vB_Sen-TO17) and antibiotics (enrofloxacin and colistin) in chickens infected experimentally with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. We found that the efficacies of both types of therapies (i.e. the use of antibiotics and phage cocktail) were high and very similar to one another when the treatment was applied shortly (one day) after the infection. Under these conditions, S. Typhimurium was quickly eliminated from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), to the amount not detectable by the used methods. However, later treatment (2 or 4 days after detection of S. Typhimurium in chicken feces) with the phage cocktail was significantly less effective. Bacteriophages remained in the GIT for up to 2-3 weeks, and then were absent in feces and cloaca swabs. Interestingly, both phages could be found in various organs of chickens though with a relatively low abundance. No development of resistance of S. Typhimurium to phages or antibiotics was detected during the experiment. Importantly, although antibiotics significantly changed the GIT microbiome of chickens in a long-term manner, analogous changes caused by phages were transient, and the microbiome normalized a few weeks after the treatment. In conclusion, phage therapy against S. Typhimurium infection in chickens appeared as effective as antibiotic therapy (with either enrofloxacin or colistin), and less invasive than the use the antibiotics as fewer changes in the microbiome were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Stasiłojć
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Nowak-Zaleska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- Institute of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Karolina Ciemińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Cyske
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jagoda Mantej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dorota Myślińska
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ewa Piotrowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Estera Rintz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sitko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Gracja Topka-Bielecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
- *Correspondence: Alicja Węgrzyn,
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10
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Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Stasiłojć M, Grabowski Ł, Zdrojewska K, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Efficacy and safety of phage therapy against Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis estimated by using a battery of in vitro tests and the Galleria mellonella animal model. Microbiol Res 2022; 261:127052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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11
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Morcinek-Orłowska J, Zdrojewska K, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophage-Encoded DNA Polymerases-Beyond the Traditional View of Polymerase Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:635. [PMID: 35054821 PMCID: PMC8775771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA polymerases are enzymes capable of synthesizing DNA. They are involved in replication of genomes of all cellular organisms as well as in processes of DNA repair and genetic recombination. However, DNA polymerases can also be encoded by viruses, including bacteriophages, and such enzymes are involved in viral DNA replication. DNA synthesizing enzymes are grouped in several families according to their structures and functions. Nevertheless, there are examples of bacteriophage-encoded DNA polymerases which are significantly different from other known enzymes capable of catalyzing synthesis of DNA. These differences are both structural and functional, indicating a huge biodiversity of bacteriophages and specific properties of their enzymes which had to evolve under certain conditions, selecting unusual properties of the enzymes which are nonetheless crucial for survival of these viruses, propagating as special kinds of obligatory parasites. In this review, we present a brief overview on DNA polymerases, and then we discuss unusual properties of different bacteriophage-encoded enzymes, such as those able to initiate DNA synthesis using the protein-priming mechanisms or even start this process without any primer, as well as able to incorporate untypical nucleotides. Apart from being extremely interesting examples of biochemical biodiversity, bacteriophage-encoded DNA polymerases can also be useful tools in genetic engineering and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Morcinek-Orłowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.M.-O.); (K.Z.)
| | - Karolina Zdrojewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.M.-O.); (K.Z.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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12
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Kubiak K, Gaffke L, Pierzynowska K, Cyske Z, Grabowski Ł, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Jaroszewicz W, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Determination of Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Bacterial Amyloids on Antibiotic Resistance. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2538:189-205. [PMID: 35951301 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2529-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial functional amyloids, apart from their many other functions, can influence the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and other antibacterial agents. Mechanisms of modulation of susceptibility of bacterial cells to antimicrobials can be either indirect or direct. The former mechanisms are exemplified by the contribution of functional amyloids to biofilm formation, which may effectively prevent the penetration of various compounds into bacterial cells. The direct mechanisms include the effects of bacterial proteins revealing amyloid-like structures, like the C-terminal region of the Escherichia coli Hfq protein, on the expression of genes involved in antibiotic resistance. Therefore, in this paper, we describe methods by which effects and mechanisms of action of bacterial amyloids on antibiotic resistance can be studied. Assessment of formation of biofilms, determination of the efficiency of antibiotic resistance in solid and liquid media, and determination of the effects on gene expression at levels of mRNA abundance and stability and protein abundance are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kubiak
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Zuzanna Cyske
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
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Jaroszewicz W, Bielańska P, Lubomska D, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Golec P, Grabowski Ł, Wieczerzak E, Dróżdż W, Gaffke L, Pierzynowska K, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticancer Activities of Compounds Produced by Newly Isolated Streptomyces Strains from the Szczelina Chochołowska Cave (Tatra Mountains, Poland). Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10101212. [PMID: 34680793 PMCID: PMC8532742 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10101212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance of bacteria, fungi and cancer cells to antibiotics and other drugs is recognized as one of the major problems in current medicine. Therefore, a search for new biologically active compounds able to either kill pathogenic cells or inhibit their growth is mandatory. Hard-to-reach habitats appear to be unexplored sources of microorganisms producing previously unknown antibiotics and other molecules revealing potentially therapeutic properties. Caves belong to such habitats, and Actinobacteria are a predominant group of microorganisms occurring there. This group of bacteria are known for production of many antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. Interestingly, it was demonstrated previously that infection with bacteriophages might enhance production of antibiotics by them. Here, we describe a series of newly isolated strains of Actinobacteria that were found in caves from the Tatra Mountains (Poland). Phage induction tests indicated that some of them may bear active prophages able to produce virions upon treatment with mitomycin C or UV irradiation. Among all the examined bacteria, two newly isolated Streptomyces sp. strains were further characterized to demonstrate their ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria (strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus sp., Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (different species and strains from the genus Candida). Moreover, extracts from these Streptomyces strains reduced viability of the breast-cancer cell line T47D. Chemical analyses of these extracts indicated the presence of isomers of dichloranthrabenzoxocinone and 4,10- or 10,12-dichloro-3-O-methylanthrabenzoxocinone, which are putative antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, various previously unknown (unclassified) molecules were also detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, suggesting that tested Streptomyces strains may synthesize a battery of bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. These results indicate that further studies on the newly isolated Actinobacteria might be a promising approach to develop novel antibacterial, antifungal, and/or anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Jaroszewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Patrycja Bielańska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Daria Lubomska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Piotr Golec
- Department of Molecular Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Ewa Wieczerzak
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Weronika Dróżdż
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (W.J.); (P.B.); (D.L.); (W.D.); (L.G.); (K.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-6024
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Podlacha M, Grabowski Ł, Kosznik-Kawśnicka K, Zdrojewska K, Stasiłojć M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Interactions of Bacteriophages with Animal and Human Organisms-Safety Issues in the Light of Phage Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8937. [PMID: 34445641 PMCID: PMC8396182 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses infecting bacterial cells. Since there is a lack of specific receptors for bacteriophages on eukaryotic cells, these viruses were for a long time considered to be neutral to animals and humans. However, studies of recent years provided clear evidence that bacteriophages can interact with eukaryotic cells, significantly influencing the functions of tissues, organs, and systems of mammals, including humans. In this review article, we summarize and discuss recent discoveries in the field of interactions of phages with animal and human organisms. Possibilities of penetration of bacteriophages into eukaryotic cells, tissues, and organs are discussed, and evidence of the effects of phages on functions of the immune system, respiratory system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, urinary tract, and reproductive system are presented and discussed. Modulations of cancer cells by bacteriophages are indicated. Direct and indirect effects of virulent and temperate phages are discussed. We conclude that interactions of bacteriophages with animal and human organisms are robust, and they must be taken under consideration when using these viruses in medicine, especially in phage therapy, and in biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (K.Z.); (M.S.); (G.W.)
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (Ł.G.); (K.K.-K.)
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kawśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (Ł.G.); (K.K.-K.)
| | - Karolina Zdrojewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (K.Z.); (M.S.); (G.W.)
| | - Małgorzata Stasiłojć
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (K.Z.); (M.S.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (K.Z.); (M.S.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (Ł.G.); (K.K.-K.)
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15
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Cieślik M, Bagińska N, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G, Górski A. Temperate Bacteriophages-The Powerful Indirect Modulators of Eukaryotic Cells and Immune Functions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061013. [PMID: 34071422 PMCID: PMC8228536 DOI: 10.3390/v13061013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are natural biological entities that limit the growth and amplification of bacteria. They are important stimulators of evolutionary variability in bacteria, and currently are considered a weapon against antibiotic resistance of bacteria. Nevertheless, apart from their antibacterial activity, phages may act as modulators of mammalian immune responses. In this paper, we focus on temperate phages able to execute the lysogenic development, which may shape animal or human immune response by influencing various processes, including phagocytosis of bacterial invaders and immune modulation of mammalian host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Cieślik
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (M.C.); (N.B.); (E.J.-M.)
| | - Natalia Bagińska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (M.C.); (N.B.); (E.J.-M.)
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (M.C.); (N.B.); (E.J.-M.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (M.C.); (N.B.); (E.J.-M.)
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
- Infant Jesus Hospital, The Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
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Grabowski Ł, Łepek K, Stasiłojć M, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Zdrojewska K, Maciąg-Dorszyńska M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophage-encoded enzymes destroying bacterial cell membranes and walls, and their potential use as antimicrobial agents. Microbiol Res 2021; 248:126746. [PMID: 33773329 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Appearance of pathogenic bacteria resistant to most, if not all, known antibiotics is currently one of the most significant medical problems. Therefore, development of novel antibacterial therapies is crucial for efficient treatment of bacterial infections in the near future. One possible option is to employ enzymes, encoded by bacteriophages, which cause destruction of bacterial cell membranes and walls. Bacteriophages use such enzymes to destroy bacterial host cells at the final stage of their lytic development, in order to ensure effective liberation of progeny virions. Nevertheless, to use such bacteriophage-encoded proteins in medicine and/or biotechnology, it is crucial to understand details of their biological functions and biochemical properties. Therefore, in this review article, we will present and discuss our current knowledge on the processes of bacteriophage-mediated bacterial cell lysis, with special emphasis on enzymes involved in them. Regulation of timing of the lysis is also discussed. Finally, possibilities of the practical use of these enzymes as antibacterial agents will be underlined and perspectives of this aspect will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Łepek
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Stasiłojć
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Karolina Zdrojewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Monika Maciąg-Dorszyńska
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdansk, Poland.
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Turnau K, Fiałkowska E, Ważny R, Rozpądek P, Tylko G, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Grabski M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Extraordinary Multi-Organismal Interactions Involving Bacteriophages, Bacteria, Fungi, and Rotifers: Quadruple Microbial Trophic Network in Water Droplets. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042178. [PMID: 33671687 PMCID: PMC7926626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Our observations of predatory fungi trapping rotifers in activated sludge and laboratory culture allowed us to discover a complicated trophic network that includes predatory fungi armed with bacteria and bacteriophages and the rotifers they prey on. Such a network seems to be common in various habitats, although it remains mostly unknown due to its microscopic size. In this study, we isolated and identified fungi and bacteria from activated sludge. We also noticed abundant, virus-like particles in the environment. The fungus developed absorptive hyphae within the prey. The bacteria showed the ability to enter and exit from the hyphae (e.g., from the traps into the caught prey). Our observations indicate that the bacteria and the fungus share nutrients obtained from the rotifer. To narrow the range of bacterial strains isolated from the mycelium, the effects of bacteria supernatants and lysed bacteria were studied. Bacteria isolated from the fungus were capable of immobilizing the rotifer. The strongest negative effect on rotifer mobility was shown by a mixture of Bacillus sp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The involvement of bacteriophages in rotifer hunting was demonstrated based on molecular analyses and was discussed. The described case seems to be an extraordinary quadruple microbiological puzzle that has not been described and is still far from being understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Turnau
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-506-006-642
| | - Edyta Fiałkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Rafał Ważny
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (R.W.); (P.R.)
| | - Piotr Rozpądek
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (R.W.); (P.R.)
| | - Grzegorz Tylko
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (S.B.); (A.W.)
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (S.B.); (A.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
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Topka-Bielecka G, Dydecka A, Necel A, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophage-Derived Depolymerases against Bacterial Biofilm. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:175. [PMID: 33578658 PMCID: PMC7916357 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to specific antibiotic resistance, the formation of bacterial biofilm causes another level of complications in attempts to eradicate pathogenic or harmful bacteria, including difficult penetration of drugs through biofilm structures to bacterial cells, impairment of immunological response of the host, and accumulation of various bioactive compounds (enzymes and others) affecting host physiology and changing local pH values, which further influence various biological functions. In this review article, we provide an overview on the formation of bacterial biofilm and its properties, and then we focus on the possible use of phage-derived depolymerases to combat bacterial cells included in this complex structure. On the basis of the literature review, we conclude that, although these bacteriophage-encoded enzymes may be effective in destroying specific compounds involved in the formation of biofilm, they are rarely sufficient to eradicate all bacterial cells. Nevertheless, a combined therapy, employing depolymerases together with antibiotics and/or other antibacterial agents or factors, may provide an effective approach to treat infections caused by bacteria able to form biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracja Topka-Bielecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (B.N.-F.); (G.W.)
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (B.N.-F.); (G.W.)
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (B.N.-F.); (G.W.)
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (B.N.-F.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (B.N.-F.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Phage Therapy, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Grabowski Ł, Grabski M, Kaszubski M, Górniak M, Jurczak-Kurek A, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophages vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22, Newly Isolated Viruses from Chicken Feces, Specific for Several Salmonella enterica Strains. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228821. [PMID: 33233449 PMCID: PMC7700153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two newly discovered bacteriophages, isolated from chicken feces and infecting Salmonella enterica strains, are described in this report. These phages have been named vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22, and we present their molecular and functional characterization. Both studied viruses are able to infect several S. enterica strains and develop lytically, but their specific host ranges differ significantly. Electron microscopic analyses of virions have been performed, and full genome sequences were determined and characterized, along with molecular phylogenetic studies. Genomes of vB_Sen-TO17 (ds DNA of 41,658 bp) and vB_Sen-E22 (dsDNA of 108,987 bp) are devoid of homologs of any known or putative gene coding for toxins or any other proteins potentially deleterious for eukaryotic cells. Both phages adsorbed efficiently (>95% adsorbed virions) within 10 min at 42 °C (resembling chicken body temperature) on cells of most tested host strains. Kinetics of lytic development of vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22, determined in one-step growth experiments, indicated that development is complete within 30-40 min at 42 °C, whereas burst sizes vary from 9 to 79 progeny phages per cell for vB_Sen-TO17 and from 18 to 64 for vB_Sen-E22, depending on the host strain. Virions of both phages were relatively stable (from several percent to almost 100% survivability) under various conditions, including acidic and alkaline pH values (from 3 to 12), temperatures from -80 °C to 60 °C, 70% ethanol, chloroform, and 10% DMSO. These characteristics of vB_Sen-TO17 and vB_Sen-E22 indicate that these phages might be considered in further studies on phage therapy, particularly in attempts to eliminate S. enterica from chicken intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (M.K.); (G.W.)
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Mateusz Kaszubski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (M.K.); (G.W.)
| | - Marcin Górniak
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (A.J.-K.)
| | - Agata Jurczak-Kurek
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (A.J.-K.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (M.K.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-6024
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20
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Topka-Bielecka G, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Grabski M, Jurczak-Kurek A, Górniak M, Dydecka A, Necel A, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Characterization of the Bacteriophage vB_EfaS-271 Infecting Enterococcus faecalis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176345. [PMID: 32882938 PMCID: PMC7503890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A newly isolated bacteriophage infecting Enterococcus faecalis strains has been characterized, including determination of its molecular features. This phage, named vB_EfaS-271, has been classified as a Siphoviridae member, according to electron microscopy characterization of the virions, composed of a 50 nm-diameter head and a long, flexible, noncontractable tail (219 × 12.5 nm). Analysis of the whole dsDNA genome of this phage showed that it consists of 40,197 bp and functional modules containing genes coding for proteins that are involved in DNA replication (including DNA polymerase/primase), morphogenesis, packaging and cell lysis. Mass spectrometry analysis allowed us to identify several phage-encoded proteins. vB_EfaS-271 reveals a relatively narrow host range, as it is able to infect only a few E. faecalis strains. On the other hand, it is a virulent phage (unable to lysogenize host cells), effectively and quickly destroying cultures of sensitive host bacteria, with a latent period as short as 8 min and burst size of approximately 70 phages per cell at 37 °C. This phage was also able to destroy biofilms formed by E. faecalis. These results contribute to our understanding of the biodiversity of bacteriophages, confirming the high variability among these viruses and indicating specific genetic and functional features of vB_EfaS-271.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracja Topka-Bielecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
- Laboratory of Marine Biogeochemistry, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Agata Jurczak-Kurek
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (M.G.)
| | - Marcin Górniak
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (M.G.)
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (G.T.-B.); (B.N.-F.); (M.G.); (A.D.); (A.N.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-6040
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21
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Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Ciemińska K, Grabski M, Grabowski Ł, Górniak M, Jurczak-Kurek A, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Characteristics of a Series of Three Bacteriophages Infecting Salmonella enterica Strains. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176152. [PMID: 32858954 PMCID: PMC7503781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular and functional characterization of a series of three bacteriophages, vB_SenM-1, vB_SenM-2, and vB_SenS-3, infecting various Salmonella enterica serovars and strains is presented. All these phages were able to develop lytically while not forming prophages. Moreover, they were able to survive at pH 3. The phages revealed different host ranges within serovars and strains of S. enterica, different adsorption rates on host cells, and different lytic growth kinetics at various temperatures (in the range of 25 to 42 °C). They efficiently reduced the number of cells in the bacterial biofilm and decreased the biofilm mass. Whole genome sequences of these phages have been determined and analyzed, including their phylogenetic relationships. In conclusion, we have demonstrated detailed characterization of a series of three bacteriophages, vB_SenM-1, vB_SenM-2, and vB_SenS-3, which reveal favorable features in light of their potential use in phage therapy of humans and animals, as well as for food protection purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Karolina Ciemińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (K.C.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (K.C.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
| | - Marcin Górniak
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (A.J.-K.)
| | - Agata Jurczak-Kurek
- Department of Molecular Evolution, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.G.); (A.J.-K.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (K.C.); (M.G.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (Ł.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-523-6024
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22
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Necel A, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Grabski M, Topka G, Dydecka A, Kosznik-Kwaśnicka K, Grabowski Ł, Jurczak-Kurek A, Wołkowicz T, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Characterization of a bacteriophage, vB_Eco4M-7, that effectively infects many Escherichia coli O157 strains. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3743. [PMID: 32111934 PMCID: PMC7048862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60568-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of a recently isolated bacteriophage, vB_Eco4M-7, which effectively infects many, though not all, Escherichia coli O157 strains, is presented. The genome of this phage comprises double-stranded DNA, 68,084 bp in length, with a GC content of 46.2%. It contains 96 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Among them, the putative functions of only 35 ORFs were predicted (36.5%), whereas 61 ORFs (63.5%) were classified as hypothetical proteins. The genome of phage vB_Eco4M-7 does not contain genes coding for integrase, recombinase, repressors or excisionase, which are the main markers of temperate viruses. Therefore, we conclude that phage vB_Eco4M-7 should be considered a lytic virus. This was confirmed by monitoring phage lytic development by a one-step growth experiment. Moreover, the phage forms relatively small uniform plaques (1 mm diameter) with no properties of lysogenization. Electron microscopic analyses indicated that vB_Eco4M-7 belongs to the Myoviridae family. Based on mass spectrometric analyses, including the fragmentation pattern of unique peptides, 33 phage vB_Eco4M-7 proteins were assigned to annotated open reading frames. Importantly, genome analysis suggested that this E. coli phage is free of toxins and other virulence factors. In addition, a similar, previously reported but uncharacterized bacteriophage, ECML-117, was also investigated, and this phage exhibited properties similar to vB_Eco4M-7. Our results indicate that both studied phages are potential candidates for phage therapy and/or food protection against Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, as the majority of these strains belong to the O157 serotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Michał Grabski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kosznik-Kwaśnicka
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Łukasz Grabowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agata Jurczak-Kurek
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wołkowicz
- Department of Bacteriology and Biocontamination Control, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland.
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23
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Dydecka A, Bloch S, Necel A, Topka G, Węgrzyn A, Tong J, Donaldson LW, Węgrzyn G, Nejman-Faleńczyk B. The ea22 gene of lambdoid phages: preserved prolysogenic function despite of high sequence diversity. Virus Genes 2020; 56:266-277. [PMID: 31970620 PMCID: PMC7093339 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-020-01734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The exo-xis region of lambdoid phages contains open reading frames and genes that appear to be evolutionarily important. However, this region has received little attention up to now. In this study, we provided evidence that ea22, the largest gene of this region, favors the lysogenic pathway over the lytic pathway in contrast to other characterized exo-xis region genes including ea8.5, orf61, orf60a, and orf63. Our assays also suggest some functional analogies between Ea22 and the phage integrase protein (Int). While it is unsurprising that Ea22 operates similarly in both λ and Stx phages, we have observed some distinctions that may arise from considerable sequence dissimilarity at the carboxy termini of each protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jinge Tong
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Logan W Donaldson
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
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24
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Zdrojewska K, Dydecka A, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Topka G, Necel A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G, Bloch S. Role of orf73 in the development of lambdoid bacteriophages during infection of the Escherichia coli host. Acta Biochim Pol 2019; 66:589-596. [PMID: 31769953 DOI: 10.18388/abp.2019_2886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a group of pathogenic strains responsible for human infections that result in bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis, often with severe complications. The main virulence factors of STEC are Shiga toxins encoded by stx genes located in genomes of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages (Stx phages). These bacterial viruses are clustered in the lambdoid bacteriophages family represented by phage λ. Here, we report that expression of orf73 from the exo-xis region of the phage genome promotes the lysogenic pathway of development of λ and Φ24B phages. We demonstrated that the mutant phages with deletions of orf73 revealed higher burst size during the lytic cycle. Moreover, survival rates of E. coli infected with mutant bacteriophages were lower relative to wild-type viruses. Additionally, orf73 deletion negatively influenced the lysogenization process of E. coli host cells. We conclude that orf73 plays an important biological role in the development of lambdoid viruses, and probably it is involved in the network of molecular mechanism of the lysis-vs.-lysogenization decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Zdrojewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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25
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Pierzynowska K, Podlacha M, Gaffke L, Majkutewicz I, Mantej J, Węgrzyn A, Osiadły M, Myślińska D, Węgrzyn G. Autophagy-dependent mechanism of genistein-mediated elimination of behavioral and biochemical defects in the rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2019; 148:332-346. [PMID: 30710571 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is one of severe neurological diseases for which no effective treatment is currently available. The use of genistein (5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) has been proposed previously as one of approaches to improve the disease symptoms, as some positive effects of this compound in cellular and animal models were reported. Inhibition of apoptosis and antioxidative functions were suggested as causes of these effects. Here, we demonstrate that high genistein dose (150 mg/kg/day; the dose significantly higher than those used previously in AD studies by others) can activate autophagy in the streptozotocin-induced rat model of the sporadic form of AD. We found that this dose of genistein led to complete degradation of β-amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau protein in the brain, while experiments with cell cultures demonstrated that these effects require autophagy stimulation, which has never been shown before. Importantly, behavior of high dose genistein-treated AD rats was completely corrected, i.e. it was indistinguishable from that of healthy animals. This was observed in all performed behavioral tests: Morris water maze test, elevated plus-maze test, open field test, and locomotor measurements in an actometer. We conclude that autophagy-dependent mechanism is responsible for genistein-mediated correction of AD when this isoflavone is used at the high dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Irena Majkutewicz
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jagoda Mantej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Osiadły
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Dorota Myślińska
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
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26
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Topka G, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Gąsior T, Jurczak-Kurek A, Necel A, Dydecka A, Richert M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Characterization of Bacteriophage vB-EcoS-95, Isolated From Urban Sewage and Revealing Extremely Rapid Lytic Development. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3326. [PMID: 30697202 PMCID: PMC6340994 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological, biological, and genetic characteristics of a virulent Siphoviridae phage, named vB-EcoS-95, is reported. This phage was isolated from urban sewage. It was found to infect some Escherichia coli strains giving clear plaques. The genome of this phage is composed of 50,910 bp and contains 89 ORFs. Importantly, none of the predicted ORFs shows any similarity with known pathogenic factors that would prevent its use in medicine. Genome sequence analysis of vB-EcoS-95 revealed 74% similarity to genomic sequence of Shigella phage pSf-1. Compared to pSf-1, phage vb-EcoS-95 does not infect Shigella strains and has an efficient bacteriolytic activity against some E. coli strains. One-step growth analysis revealed that this phage has a very short latent period (4 min), and average burst size of 115 plaque forming units per cell, which points to its high infectivity of host cells and strong lytic activity. The bacteriolytic effect of vB-EcoS-95 was tested also on biofilm-producing strains. These results indicate that vB-EcoS-95 is a newly discovered E. coli phage that may be potentially used to control the formation of biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Gąsior
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and BiophysicsPolish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Malwina Richert
- Laboratory of Electron MicroscopyUniversity of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and BiophysicsPolish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland
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27
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Górski A, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Międzybrodzki R, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Łusiak-Szelachowska M, Bagińska N, Borysowski J, Łobocka MB, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Phage Therapy: Beyond Antibacterial Action. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 5:146. [PMID: 29876350 PMCID: PMC5974148 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, phages were considered as mere “bacteria eaters” with potential for use in combating antimicrobial resistance. The real value of phage therapy assessed according to the standards of evidence-based medicine awaits confirmation by clinical trials. However, the progress in research on phage biology has shed more light on the significance of phages. Accumulating data indicate that phages may also interact with eukaryotic cells. How such interactions could be translated into advances in medicine (especially novel means of therapy) is discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marzanna Łusiak-Szelachowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Natalia Bagińska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jan Borysowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata B Łobocka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,Autonomous Department of Microbial Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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28
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Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Pierzynowska K, Piotrowska E, Węgrzyn A, Marminon C, Bouaziz Z, Nebois P, Jose J, Le Borgne M, Saso L, Węgrzyn G. Inhibition of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophage development by novel antioxidant compounds. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018. [PMID: 29536772 PMCID: PMC6009899 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1444610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress may be the major cause of induction of Shiga toxin-converting (Stx) prophages from chromosomes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in human intestine. Thus, we aimed to test a series of novel antioxidant compounds for their activities against prophage induction, thus, preventing pathogenicity of STEC. Forty-six compounds (derivatives of carbazole, indazole, triazole, quinolone, ninhydrine, and indenoindole) were tested. Fifteen of them gave promising results and were further characterized. Eleven compounds had acceptable profiles in cytotoxicity tests with human HEK-293 and HDFa cell lines. Three of them (selected for molecular studies) prevent the prophage induction at the level of expression of specific phage genes. In bacterial cells treated with hydrogen peroxide, expression of genes involved in the oxidative stress response was significantly less efficient in the presence of the tested compounds. Therefore, they apparently reduce the oxidative stress, which prevents induction of Stx prophage in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Bloch
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
| | - Ewa Piotrowska
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- b Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences , Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Christelle Marminon
- c Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Pharmacie - ISPB, EA 4446 Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal Chemistry, SFR Santé Lyon-Est CNRS UMS3453-INSERM US7 , Lyon , France
| | - Zouhair Bouaziz
- c Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Pharmacie - ISPB, EA 4446 Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal Chemistry, SFR Santé Lyon-Est CNRS UMS3453-INSERM US7 , Lyon , France
| | - Pascal Nebois
- c Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Pharmacie - ISPB, EA 4446 Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal Chemistry, SFR Santé Lyon-Est CNRS UMS3453-INSERM US7 , Lyon , France
| | - Joachim Jose
- d Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, PharmaCampus, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster , Münster , Germany
| | - Marc Le Borgne
- c Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Faculté de Pharmacie - ISPB, EA 4446 Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal Chemistry, SFR Santé Lyon-Est CNRS UMS3453-INSERM US7 , Lyon , France
| | - Luciano Saso
- e Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer" , Sapienza University , Rome , Italy
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk , Gdansk , Poland
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29
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Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Kadziński L, Grabowski M, Bloch S, Kaźmierkiewicz R, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Gabig-Cimińska M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A, Banecki B. Evidence for interactions between homocysteine and genistein: insights into stroke risk and potential treatment. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1855-1860. [PMID: 28748495 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0078-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Elevated plasma homocysteine (2-amino-4-sulfanylbutanoic acid) level is a risk factor for stroke. Moreover, it has been suggested that high levels of homocysteine in the acute phase of an ischemic stroke can predict mortality, especially in stroke patients with the large-vessel atherosclerosis subtype. In clinical studies, supplementation with genistein (5, 7-dihydroxy-3- (4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) decreased plasma homocysteine levels considerably. Therefore, genistein could be considered as a potential drug for prevention and/or treatment of stroke. However, the mechanism of the effect of genistein on homocysteine level remains to be elucidated. In this report, direct functional interactions between homocysteine and genistein are demonstrated in in vitro experimental systems for determination of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MetF) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, reconstructed with purified compounds, and in a simple in vivo system, based on measurement of growth rate of Vibrio harveyi and Bacillus subtilis cultures. Results of molecular modelling indicated that homocysteine can directly interact with genistein. Therefore, genistein-mediated decrease in plasma levels of homocysteine, and alleviation of biochemical and physiological effects of one of these compounds by another, might be ascribed to formation of homocysteine-genistein complexes in which biological activities of these molecules are abolished or alleviated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leszek Kadziński
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Michał Grabowski
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Rajmund Kaźmierkiewicz
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bogdan Banecki
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
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30
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Suchanicz J, Czternastek H, Kluczewska K, Czaja P, Węgrzyn A, Sokolowski M, Dutkiewicz EM, Szczęsny J. Effect of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 addition on structural, dielectric, Raman, and ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 ceramics. Proc Estonian Acad Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.3176/proc.2017.4.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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31
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Czaja P, Suchanicz J, Kluczewska K, Sitko D, Dutkiewicz EM, Konieczny K, Węgrzyn A, Antonova M, Sternberg A. Influence of uniaxial pressure on dielectric properties of (1-x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–xSrTiO3 for x = 0.01, 0.04, and 0.1 ceramics. Proc Estonian Acad Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.3176/proc.2017.4.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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32
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Jurczak-Kurek A, Gąsior T, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Bloch S, Dydecka A, Topka G, Necel A, Jakubowska-Deredas M, Narajczyk M, Richert M, Mieszkowska A, Wróbel B, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Biodiversity of bacteriophages: morphological and biological properties of a large group of phages isolated from urban sewage. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34338. [PMID: 27698408 PMCID: PMC5048108 DOI: 10.1038/srep34338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A large scale analysis presented in this article focuses on biological and physiological variety of bacteriophages. A collection of 83 bacteriophages, isolated from urban sewage and able to propagate in cells of different bacterial hosts, has been obtained (60 infecting Escherichia coli, 10 infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 4 infecting Salmonella enterica, 3 infecting Staphylococcus sciuri, and 6 infecting Enterococcus faecalis). High biological diversity of the collection is indicated by its characteristics, both morphological (electron microscopic analyses) and biological (host range, plaque size and morphology, growth at various temperatures, thermal inactivation, sensitivity to low and high pH, sensitivity to osmotic stress, survivability upon treatment with organic solvents and detergents), and further supported by hierarchical cluster analysis. By the end of the research no larger collection of phages from a single environmental source investigated by these means had been found. The finding was confirmed by whole genome analysis of 7 selected bacteriophages. Moreover, particular bacteriophages revealed unusual biological features, like the ability to form plaques at low temperature (4 °C), resist high temperature (62 °C or 95 °C) or survive in the presence of an organic solvents (ethanol, acetone, DMSO, chloroform) or detergent (SDS, CTAB, sarkosyl) making them potentially interesting in the context of biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Jurczak-Kurek
- Department of Molecular Evolution University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Gąsior
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Jakubowska-Deredas
- Department of Genetics and Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Malwina Richert
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agata Mieszkowska
- Department of Molecular Evolution University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Borys Wróbel
- Department of Genetics and Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, and University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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33
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Grabowski M, Banecki B, Kadziński L, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Gabig-Cimińska M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G, Banecka-Majkutewicz Z. The model homologue of the partially defective human 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, considered as a risk factor for stroke due to increased homocysteine level, can be protected and reactivated by heat shock proteins. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:1041-5. [PMID: 27234992 PMCID: PMC5031757 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9844-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The A222 V substitution in the human MTHFR gene product (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is responsible for a decreased activity of this enzyme. This may cause an increased homocysteine level, considered as a risk factor for arteriosclerosis and stroke. The bacterial homologue of the human enzyme, MetF, has been found to be a useful model in genetic and biochemical studies. The similarity of Escherichia coli MetF and human MTHFR proteins is so high that particular mutations in the corresponding human gene can be reflected by the bacterial mutants. For example, the A222 V substitution in MTHFR (caused by the C667T substitution in the MTHFR gene) can be ascribed to the A117 V substitution in MetF. Here, it is reported that a temperature-sensitive MetF117 (A117 V) protein can be partially protected from a thermal inactivation by the heat shock proteins from the Hsp70/100 systems. Moreover, activity of the thermally denatured enzyme can be partially restored by the same heat shock proteins. High temperature protein G (HtpG) had no effect on MetF117 activity in both experimental systems. The presented results indicate that functions of heat shock proteins may be required for maintenance of the MetF117 function. This may have implications for the mechanisms of arteriosclerosis and stroke, especially in the light of previous findings that the A222 V MTHFR polymorphism may be a risk factor for stroke, as well as recently published results which demonstrated the increased levels of antibodies against heat shock proteins in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Grabowski
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bogdan Banecki
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Leszek Kadziński
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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34
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Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Bloch S, Januszkiewicz A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. A simple and rapid procedure for the detection of genes encoding Shiga toxins and other specific DNA sequences. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:4745-57. [PMID: 26580652 PMCID: PMC4663531 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7114745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel procedure for the detection of specific DNA sequences has been developed. This procedure is based on the already known method employing PCR with appropriate primers and a sequence-specific DNA probe labeled with the fluorescent agent 6-carboxylfluorescein (FAM) at the 5′ end and the fluorescence quencher BHQ-1 (black hole quencher) at the 3′ end. However, instead of the detection of the fluorescence signal with the use of real-time PCR cyclers, fluorescence/luminescence spectrometers or fluorescence polarization readers, as in all previously-reported procedures, we propose visual observation of the fluorescence under UV light directly in the reaction tube. An example for the specific detection of the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, by detecting Shiga toxin genes, is demonstrated. This method appears to be specific, simple, rapid and cost effective. It may be suitable for use in research laboratories, as well as in diagnostic units of medical institutions, even those equipped only with a thermocycler and a UV transilluminator, particularly if rapid identification of a pathogen is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Depratment of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- Depratment of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Januszkiewicz
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Public Health-Public Institute of Hygiene, 24 Chocimska Street, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdansk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Depratment of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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35
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Gabig-Cimińska M, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Malinowska M, Kloska A, Piotrowska E, Chmielarz I, Moskot M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Combined Therapies for Lysosomal Storage Diseases. Curr Mol Med 2015; 15:746-71. [DOI: 10.2174/1566524015666150921105658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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36
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Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Topka G, Dydecka A, Licznerska K, Narajczyk M, Necel A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. UV-Sensitivity of Shiga Toxin-Converting Bacteriophage Virions Φ24B, 933W, P22, P27 and P32. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:3727-39. [PMID: 26402701 PMCID: PMC4591643 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7093727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages (Stx phages) are present as prophages in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains. Theses phages can be transmitted to previously non-pathogenic E. coli cells making them potential producers of Shiga toxins, as they bear genes for these toxins in their genomes. Therefore, sensitivity of Stx phage virions to various conditions is important in both natural processes of spreading of these viruses and potential prophylactic control of appearance of novel pathogenic E. coli strains. In this report we provide evidence that virions of Stx phages are significantly more sensitive to UV irradiation than bacteriophage λ. Following UV irradiation of Stx virions at the dose of 50 J/m2, their infectivity dropped by 1–3 log10, depending on the kind of phage. Under these conditions, a considerable release of phage DNA from virions was observed, and electron microscopy analyses indicated a large proportion of partially damaged virions. Infection of E. coli cells with UV-irradiated Stx phages resulted in significantly decreased levels of expression of N and cro genes, crucial for lytic development. We conclude that inactivation of Stx virions caused by relatively low dose of UV light is due to damage of capsids that prevents effective infection of the host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Gracja Topka
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Dydecka
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Licznerska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Necel
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland.
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37
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Grabowski M, Banecki B, Kadziński L, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Kaźmierkiewicz R, Gabig-Cimińska M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A, Banecka-Majkutewicz Z. Genistein inhibits activities of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and lactate dehydrogenase, enzymes which use NADH as a substrate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 465:363-7. [PMID: 26253470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Genistein (5, 7-dihydroxy-3- (4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a natural isoflavone revealing many biological activities. Thus, it is considered as a therapeutic compound in as various disorders as cancer, infections and genetic diseases. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that genistein inhibits activities of bacterial methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MetF) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Both enzymes use NADH as a substrate, and results of biochemical as well as molecular modeling studies with MetF suggest that genistein may interfere with binding of this dinucleotide to the enzyme. These results have implications for our understanding of biological functions of genistein and its effects on cellular metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Grabowski
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bogdan Banecki
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Leszek Kadziński
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Rajmund Kaźmierkiewicz
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Bloch S, Licznerska K, Felczykowska A, Dydecka A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Small regulatory RNAs in lambdoid bacteriophages and phage-derived plasmids: Not only antisense. Plasmid 2015; 78:71-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Nowicki D, Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Defects in RNA polyadenylation impair both lysogenization by and lytic development of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:1957-68. [PMID: 25711968 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In Escherichia coli, the major poly(A) polymerase (PAP I) is encoded by the pcnB gene. In this report, a significant impairment of lysogenization by Shiga toxin-converting (Stx) bacteriophages (Φ24B, 933W, P22, P27 and P32) is demonstrated in host cells with a mutant pcnB gene. Moreover, lytic development of these phages after both infection and prophage induction was significantly less efficient in the pcnB mutant than in the WT host. The increase in DNA accumulation of the Stx phages was lower under conditions of defective RNA polyadenylation. Although shortly after prophage induction, the levels of mRNAs of most phage-borne early genes were higher in the pcnB mutant, at subsequent phases of the lytic development, a drastically decreased abundance of certain mRNAs, including those derived from the N, O and Q genes, was observed in PAP I-deficient cells. All of these effects observed in the pcnB cells were significantly more strongly pronounced in the Stx phages than in bacteriophage λ. Abundance of mRNA derived from the pcnB gene was drastically increased shortly (20 min) after prophage induction by mitomycin C and decreased after the next 20 min, while no such changes were observed in non-lysogenic cells treated with this antibiotic. This prophage induction-dependent transient increase in pcnB transcript may explain the polyadenylation-driven regulation of phage gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Nowicki
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Bloch
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Bożena Nejman-Faleńczyk
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- 2Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Bloch S, Nejman-Faleńczyk B, Dydecka A, Łoś JM, Felczykowska A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Different expression patterns of genes from the exo-xis region of bacteriophage λ and Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophage Ф24B following infection or prophage induction in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108233. [PMID: 25310402 PMCID: PMC4195576 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lambdoid bacteriophages serve as useful models in microbiological and molecular studies on basic biological process. Moreover, this family of viruses plays an important role in pathogenesis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains, as they are carriers of genes coding for Shiga toxins. Efficient expression of these genes requires lambdoid prophage induction and multiplication of the phage genome. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes appears essential for both basic knowledge and potential anti-EHEC applications. The exo-xis region, present in genomes of lambdoid bacteriophages, contains highly conserved genes of largely unknown functions. Recent report indicated that the Ea8.5 protein, encoded in this region, contains a newly discovered fused homeodomain/zinc-finger fold, suggesting its plausible regulatory role. Moreover, subsequent studies demonstrated that overexpression of the exo-xis region from a multicopy plasmid resulted in impaired lysogenization of E. coli and more effective induction of λ and Ф24B prophages. In this report, we demonstrate that after prophage induction, the increase in phage DNA content in the host cells is more efficient in E. coli bearing additional copies of the exo-xis region, while survival rate of such bacteria is lower, which corroborated previous observations. Importantly, by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR, we have determined patterns of expressions of particular genes from this region. Unexpectedly, in both phages λ and Ф24B, these patterns were significantly different not only between conditions of the host cells infection by bacteriophages and prophage induction, but also between induction of prophages with various agents (mitomycin C and hydrogen peroxide). This may shed a new light on our understanding of regulation of lambdoid phage development, depending on the mode of lytic cycle initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Bloch
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | | | - Joanna M. Łoś
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Grabowski M, Kadziński L, Papkov A, Węgrzyn A, Banecki B. Increased levels of antibodies against heat shock proteins in stroke patients. Acta Biochim Pol 2014. [DOI: 10.18388/abp.2014_1910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. One of the main risk factors of the ischemic stroke is atherosclerosis which is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease. Bacterial infections generate specific human antibodies against various antigens, including Hsps. It has been demonstrated that Hsps are selectively overexpressed in the atherosclerotic lesions. The amino acid sequence homology between human and bacterial Hsps may lead to an autoimmune response by immunological cross-reaction. Such immune response against Hsps overexpressed in the blood vessels under stressful conditions may contribute to inflammatory processes and subsequent development of atherosclerosis. In this study we determined the antibody levels against bacterial and human Hsp by ELISA in blood plasma obtained from stroke patients. Using ANOVA we analyzed levels of Hsp-antibodies in control and patient groups and correlate them with several stroke risk factors. The group of stroke patients had elevated levels of anti-Hsp antibodies compared to the control group. We also discovered an antibody level increase in patients that previously underwent another stroke. Our data provide evidence that autoimmunity could underlie formation of atherosclerosis plaque leading to stroke.
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Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Grabowski M, Kadziński L, Papkov A, Węgrzyn A, Banecki B. Increased levels of antibodies against heat shock proteins in stroke patients. Acta Biochim Pol 2014; 61:379-383. [PMID: 24904931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. One of the main risk factors of the ischemic stroke is atherosclerosis which is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease. Bacterial infections generate specific human antibodies against various antigens, including Hsps. It has been demonstrated that Hsps are selectively overexpressed in the atherosclerotic lesions. The amino acid sequence homology between human and bacterial Hsps may lead to an autoimmune response by immunological cross-reaction. Such immune response against Hsps overexpressed in the blood vessels under stressful conditions may contribute to inflammatory processes and subsequent development of atherosclerosis. In this study we determined the antibody levels against bacterial and human Hsp by ELISA in blood plasma obtained from stroke patients. Using ANOVA we analyzed levels of Hsp-antibodies in control and patient groups and correlate them with several stroke risk factors. The group of stroke patients had elevated levels of anti-Hsp antibodies compared to the control group. We also discovered an antibody level increase in patients that previously underwent another stroke. Our data provide evidence that autoimmunity could underlie formation of atherosclerosis plaque leading to stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Grabowski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Leszek Kadziński
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aliaksei Papkov
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogdan Banecki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
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Moskot M, Montefusco S, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Mozolewski P, Węgrzyn A, Di Bernardo D, Węgrzyn G, Medina DL, Ballabio A, Gabig-Cimińska M. The phytoestrogen genistein modulates lysosomal metabolism and transcription factor EB (TFEB) activation. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:17054-69. [PMID: 24770416 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.555300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genistein (5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) has been previously proposed as a potential drug for use in substrate reduction therapy for mucopolysaccharidoses, a group of inherited metabolic diseases caused by mutations leading to inefficient degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in lysosomes. It was demonstrated that this isoflavone can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it an especially desirable potential drug for the treatment of neurological symptoms present in most lysosomal storage diseases. So far, no comprehensive genomic analyses have been performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect elicited by genistein. Therefore, the aim of this work was to identify the genistein-modulated gene network regulating GAG biosynthesis and degradation, taking into consideration the entire lysosomal metabolism. Our analyses identified over 60 genes with known roles in lysosomal biogenesis and/or function whose expression was enhanced by genistein. Moreover, 19 genes whose products are involved in both GAG synthesis and degradation pathways were found to be remarkably differentially regulated by genistein treatment. We found a regulatory network linking genistein-mediated control of transcription factor EB (TFEB) gene expression, TFEB nuclear translocation, and activation of TFEB-dependent lysosome biogenesis to lysosomal metabolism. Our data indicate that the molecular mechanism of genistein action involves not only impairment of GAG synthesis but more importantly lysosomal enhancement via TFEB. These findings contribute to explaining the beneficial effects of genistein in lysosomal storage diseases as well as envisage new therapeutic approaches to treat these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Moskot
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sandro Montefusco
- the High Content Screening Facility, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paweł Mozolewski
- the Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- the Department of Microbiology, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Diego Di Bernardo
- the High Content Screening Facility, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- the Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Diego L Medina
- the High Content Screening Facility, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy,
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- the High Content Screening Facility, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy, the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, and Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- From the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland,
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Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Gabig-Cimińska M, Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Banecki B, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Factors and processes modulating phenotypes in neuronopathic lysosomal storage diseases. Metab Brain Dis 2014; 29:1-8. [PMID: 24307179 PMCID: PMC3930848 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-013-9455-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal storage diseases are inherited metabolic disorders caused by genetic defects causing deficiency of various lysosomal proteins, and resultant accumulation of non-degraded compounds. They are multisystemic diseases, and in most of them (>70%) severe brain dysfunctions are evident. However, expression of various phenotypes in particular diseases is extremely variable, from non-neuronopathic to severely neurodegenerative in the deficiency of the same enzyme. Although all lysosomal storage diseases are monogenic, clear genotype-phenotype correlations occur only in some cases. In this article, we present an overview on various factors and processes, both general and specific for certain disorders, that can significantly modulate expression of phenotypes in these diseases. On the basis of recent reports describing studies on both animal models and clinical data, we propose a hypothesis that efficiency of production of compounds that cannot be degraded due to enzyme deficiency might be especially important in modulation of phenotypes of patients suffering from lysosomal storage diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Gdańsk University, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Bogdan Banecki
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szczecin, Felczaka 3c, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Pękala E, Liana P, Kubowicz P, Powroźnik B, Obniska J, Chlebek I, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Evaluation of mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of new derivatives of pyrrolidine-2,5-dione with anti-epileptic activity, by use of the Vibrio harveyi mutagenicity test. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2013; 758:18-22. [PMID: 24060509 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The Vibrio harveyi test was used to evaluate mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of nineteen new derivatives of pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (compounds 1-19) with antiepileptic activity. Four V. harveyi strains were used: BB7 (wild type) and the genetically modified strains BB7M, BB7X and BB7XM (i.e. strains with additional mucA and mucB genes, UV hypersensitivity, and UV hypersensitivity with plasmid pAB91273, respectively). None of the derivatives of 2-ethyl-2-methylsuccinic acid (compounds 1-7) had mutagenic activity against the tester strains of V. harveyi, but this set had strong or moderate antimutagenic activity against 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (NQNO) in the tester strains BB7, BB7X, and BB7M. This antimutagenic activity ranged from 51% to 67%, through 51-66% to 71-83% for V. harveyi BB7, BB7X and BB7M strains, respectively. Mutagenic activities in the group of 2,2-diphenyl-succinic acid derivatives (compounds 8-19) were variable and depended on the tester strain used. Compounds 8-19 were devoid of mutagenic properties against BB7 (wild-type strain). Among this group only compound 9, with the fluorine substituent in position 2 of the aromatic system, was devoid of mutagenic potential against all tester strains. The compounds in this group (8-19) demonstrated strong antimutagenic activity only against strain BB7 (inhibition ranging from 51% to 71%). We conclude that there are various mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of derivatives of pyrrolidine-2,5-dione. Moreover, our studies have proven that the V. harveyi test can be applied for primary mutagenicity and antimutagenicity assessment of these new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Pękala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
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Barańska S, Glinkowska M, Herman-Antosiewicz A, Maciąg-Dorszyńska M, Nowicki D, Szalewska-Pałasz A, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Replicating DNA by cell factories: roles of central carbon metabolism and transcription in the control of DNA replication in microbes, and implications for understanding this process in human cells. Microb Cell Fact 2013; 12:55. [PMID: 23714207 PMCID: PMC3698200 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-12-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise regulation of DNA replication is necessary to ensure the inheritance of genetic features by daughter cells after each cell division. Therefore, determining how the regulatory processes operate to control DNA replication is crucial to our understanding and application to biotechnological processes. Contrary to early concepts of DNA replication, it appears that this process is operated by large, stationary nucleoprotein complexes, called replication factories, rather than by single enzymes trafficking along template molecules. Recent discoveries indicated that in bacterial cells two processes, central carbon metabolism (CCM) and transcription, significantly and specifically influence the control of DNA replication of various replicons. The impact of these discoveries on our understanding of the regulation of DNA synthesis is discussed in this review. It appears that CCM may influence DNA replication by either action of specific metabolites or moonlighting activities of some enzymes involved in this metabolic pathway. The role of transcription in the control of DNA replication may arise from either topological changes in nucleic acids which accompany RNA synthesis or direct interactions between replication and transcription machineries. Due to intriguing similarities between some prokaryotic and eukaryotic regulatory systems, possible implications of studies on regulation of microbial DNA replication on understanding such a process occurring in human cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Barańska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdańsk 80-308, Poland
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Loś JM, Loś M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Altruism of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: recent hypothesis versus experimental results. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 2:166. [PMID: 23316482 PMCID: PMC3539655 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) may cause bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis (HC), with subsequent systemic disease. Since genes coding for Shiga toxins (stx genes) are located on lambdoid prophages, their effective production occurs only after prophage induction. Such induction and subsequent lytic development of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophages results not only in production of toxic proteins, but also in the lysis (and thus, the death) of the host cell. Therefore, one may ask the question: what is the benefit for bacteria to produce the toxin if they die due to phage production and subsequent cell lysis? Recently, a hypothesis was proposed (simultaneously but independently by two research groups) that STEC may benefit from Shiga toxin production as a result of toxin-dependent killing of eukaryotic cells such as unicellular predators or human leukocytes. This hypothesis could make sense only if we assume that prophage induction (and production of the toxin) occurs only in a small fraction of bacterial cells, thus, a few members of the population are sacrificed for the benefit of the rest, providing an example of “bacterial altruism.” However, various reports indicating that the frequency of spontaneous induction of Shiga toxin-converting prophages is higher than that of other lambdoid prophages might seem to contradict the for-mentioned model. On the other hand, analysis of recently published results, discussed here, indicated that the efficiency of prophage excision under conditions that may likely occur in the natural habitat of STEC is sufficiently low to ensure survival of a large fraction of the bacterial host. A molecular mechanism by which partial prophage induction may occur is proposed. We conclude that the published data supports the proposed model of bacterial “altruism” where prophage induction occurs at a low enough frequency to render toxin production a positive selective force on the general STEC population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Loś
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk Gdańsk, Poland
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Liberek A, Kmieć Z, Wierzbicki PM, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Liberek T, Łuczak G, Plata-Nazar K, Słomińska-Frączek M, Kaszubowska L, Gabig-Cimińska M, Węgrzyn A. Transforming growth factor β1 protein and mRNA levels in inflammatory bowel diseases: towards solving the contradictions by longitudinal assessment of the protein and mRNA amounts. Acta Biochim Pol 2013; 60:683-688. [PMID: 24432317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Previously published studies on levels of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein and mRNA of the corresponding gene in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) gave varying results, leading to contradictory conclusions. To solve the contradictions, we aimed to assess longitudinally TGF-β1 protein and mRNA levels at different stages of the disease in children suffering from IBD. The study group consisted of 19 pediatric patients with IBD at the age between 3.5 and 18.4 years. The control group consisted of 42 children aged between 2.0 and 18.0 years. The plasma TGF-β1 concentration was measured with ELISA. mRNA levels of the TGF-β1 gene isolated from samples of the intestinal tissue were assessed by reverse transcription and real-time PCR. Levels of TGF-β1 protein in plasma and corresponding mRNA in intestinal tissue were significantly higher in IBD patients than in controls. TGF-β1 and corresponding transcripts were also more abundant in plasma and intestinal tissue, respectively, in patients at the active stage of the disease than during remission. In every single IBD patient, plasma TGF-β1 level and mRNA level in intestinal tissue was higher at the active stage of the disease than during remission. Levels of TGF-β1 and corresponding mRNA are elevated during the active stage of IBD but not during the remission. Longitudinal assessment of this cytokine in a single patient may help to monitor the clinical course of IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Liberek
- Faculty of Health Sciences with Subfaculty of Nursing, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kmieć
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | | | - Tomasz Liberek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grażyna Łuczak
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Plata-Nazar
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Słomińska-Frączek
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Department of Microbiology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Sawuła W, Kadziński L, Węgrzyn A, Banecki B. Homocysteine, heat shock proteins, genistein and vitamins in ischemic stroke--pathogenic and therapeutic implications. Acta Biochim Pol 2012. [DOI: 10.18388/abp.2012_2083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the most devastating neurological conditions, with an approximate worldwide mortality of 5.5 million annually and loss of 44 million disability-adjusted life-years. The etiology of stroke is often unknown; it has been estimated that the etiology and pathophysiology remains unexplained in more than 40% of stroke cases. The conventional stroke risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and cardiac diseases, do not fully account for the risk of stroke, and stroke victims, especially young subjects, often do not have any of these factors. It is very likely that inflammation, specific genetic predispositions and traditional risk factors interact with each other and may together increase the risk of stroke. Inflammatory and immune responses play important roles in the course of ischemic stroke. Hyperhomocysteinemia (hcy) is considered a modifiable risk factor for stroke, possibly through an atherogenic and prothrombotic mechanism. Both genetic and environmental factors (e.g., dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins) affect homocysteine level. Identification of the role of hcy as a modifiable risk factor for stroke and of HSPs as regulators of the immune response may lead to more effective prevention and treatment of stroke through dietary and pharmacological intervention. Dietary modification may also include supplementation with novel preventive compounds, such as the antioxidative isoflavones--genistein or daidzein.
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Banecka-Majkutewicz Z, Sawuła W, Kadziński L, Węgrzyn A, Banecki B. Homocysteine, heat shock proteins, genistein and vitamins in ischemic stroke--pathogenic and therapeutic implications. Acta Biochim Pol 2012; 59:495-499. [PMID: 23251907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 12/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the most devastating neurological conditions, with an approximate worldwide mortality of 5.5 million annually and loss of 44 million disability-adjusted life-years. The etiology of stroke is often unknown; it has been estimated that the etiology and pathophysiology remains unexplained in more than 40% of stroke cases. The conventional stroke risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and cardiac diseases, do not fully account for the risk of stroke, and stroke victims, especially young subjects, often do not have any of these factors. It is very likely that inflammation, specific genetic predispositions and traditional risk factors interact with each other and may together increase the risk of stroke. Inflammatory and immune responses play important roles in the course of ischemic stroke. Hyperhomocysteinemia (hcy) is considered a modifiable risk factor for stroke, possibly through an atherogenic and prothrombotic mechanism. Both genetic and environmental factors (e.g., dietary intake of folic acid and B vitamins) affect homocysteine level. Identification of the role of hcy as a modifiable risk factor for stroke and of HSPs as regulators of the immune response may lead to more effective prevention and treatment of stroke through dietary and pharmacological intervention. Dietary modification may also include supplementation with novel preventive compounds, such as the antioxidative isoflavones--genistein or daidzein.
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