1
|
Van Goethem MW, Marasco R, Hong P, Daffonchio D. The antibiotic crisis: On the search for novel antibiotics and resistance mechanisms. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14430. [PMID: 38465465 PMCID: PMC10926060 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14430] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the relentless battle for human health, the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has emerged as an impending catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude, potentially driving humanity towards the brink of an unparalleled healthcare crisis. The unyielding advance of antibiotic resistance looms as the foremost threat of the 21st century in clinical, agricultural and environmental arenas. Antibiotic resistance is projected to be the genesis of the next global pandemic, with grim estimations of tens of millions of lives lost annually by 2050. Amidst this impending calamity, our capacity to unearth novel antibiotics has languished, with the past four decades marred by a disheartening 'antibiotic discovery void'. With nearly 80% of our current antibiotics originating from natural or semi-synthetic sources, our responsibility is to cast our investigative nets into uncharted ecological niches teeming with microbial strife, the so-called 'microbial oases of interactions'. Within these oases of interactions, where microorganisms intensively compete for space and nutrients, a dynamic and ever-evolving microbial 'arms race' is constantly in place. Such a continuous cycle of adaptation and counter-adaptation is a fundamental aspect of microbial ecology and evolution, as well as the secrets to unique, undiscovered antibiotics, our last bastion against the relentless tide of resistance. In this context, it is imperative to invest in research to explore the competitive realms, like the plant rhizosphere, biological soil crusts, deep sea hydrothermal vents, marine snow and the most modern plastisphere, in which competitive interactions are at the base of the microorganisms' struggle for survival and dominance in their ecosystems: identify novel antibiotic by targeting microbial oases of interactions could represent a 'missing piece of the puzzle' in our fight against antibiotic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc W. Van Goethem
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Ramona Marasco
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Pei‐Ying Hong
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
- Water Desalination and Reuse CenterBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Daniele Daffonchio
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Freude C, Hahn D, Rist F, Lipp L, Wimmer M. Precomputed Radiative Heat Transport for Efficient Thermal Simulation. Comput Graph Forum 2023; 42:e14957. [PMID: 38504825 PMCID: PMC10946482 DOI: 10.1111/cgf.14957] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Architectural design and urban planning are complex design tasks. Predicting the thermal impact of design choices at interactive rates enhances the ability of designers to improve energy efficiency and avoid problematic heat islands while maintaining design quality. We show how to use and adapt methods from computer graphics to efficiently simulate heat transfer via thermal radiation, thereby improving user guidance in the early design phase of large-scale construction projects and helping to increase energy efficiency and outdoor comfort. Our method combines a hardware-accelerated photon tracing approach with a carefully selected finite element discretization, inspired by precomputed radiance transfer. This combination allows us to precompute a radiative transport operator, which we then use to rapidly solve either steady-state or transient heat transport throughout the entire scene. Our formulation integrates time-dependent solar irradiation data without requiring changes in the transport operator, allowing us to quickly analyze many different scenarios such as common weather patterns, monthly or yearly averages, or transient simulations spanning multiple days or weeks. We show how our approach can be used for interactive design workflows such as city planning via fast feedback in the early design phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Freude
- TU Wien, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology Austria
| | - D Hahn
- TU Wien, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology Austria
| | - F Rist
- TU Wien, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology Austria
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Visual Computing Center Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - L Lipp
- TU Wien, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology Austria
| | - M Wimmer
- TU Wien, Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Blilou I, Hirt H. Desert plants to stop desertification: To succeed, reforestation projects to reclaim once fertile lands need to consider the local abiotic, biotic, and social factors: To succeed, reforestation projects to reclaim once fertile lands need to consider the local abiotic, biotic, and social factors. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56687. [PMID: 36579758 PMCID: PMC9900327 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256687] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the intricate relationship between plants, desert soils, and desert-specific microbiomes would increase the success chances for reforestation projects to reclaim lands lost to desertification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Blilou
- Center for Desert AgricultureKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Heribert Hirt
- Center for Desert AgricultureKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rehman ZU, Momin AA, Aldehaiman A, Irum T, Grünberg R, Arold ST. The exceptionally efficient quorum quenching enzyme LrsL suppresses Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm production. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:977673. [PMID: 36071959 PMCID: PMC9441902 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.977673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum quenching (QQ) is the enzymatic degradation of molecules used by bacteria for synchronizing their behavior within communities. QQ has attracted wide attention due to its potential to inhibit biofilm formation and suppress the production of virulence factors. Through its capacity to limit biofouling and infections, QQ has applications in water treatment, aquaculture, and healthcare. Several different QQ enzymes have been described; however, they often lack the high stability and catalytic efficiency required for industrial applications. Previously, we identified genes from genome sequences of Red Sea sediment bacteria encoding potential QQ enzymes. In this study, we report that one of them, named LrsL, is a metallo-β-lactamase superfamily QQ enzyme with outstanding catalytic features. X-ray crystallography shows that LrsL is a zinc-binding dimer. LrsL has an unusually hydrophobic substrate binding pocket that can accommodate a broad range of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) with exceptionally high affinity. In vitro, LrsL achieves the highest catalytic efficiency reported thus far for any QQ enzyme with a Kcat/KM of 3 × 107. LrsL effectively inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation without affecting bacterial growth. Furthermore, LrsL suppressed the production of exopolysaccharides required for biofilm production. These features, and its capacity to regain its function after prolonged heat denaturation, identify LrsL as a robust and unusually efficient QQ enzyme for clinical and industrial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ur Rehman
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Environmental Science Program, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Zahid Ur Rehman, ; Stefan T. Arold,
| | - Afaque A. Momin
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Aldehaiman
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tayyaba Irum
- Services Hospital, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Raik Grünberg
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefan T. Arold
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Biology Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- *Correspondence: Zahid Ur Rehman, ; Stefan T. Arold,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Brewin RJW, Dall’Olmo G, Gittings J, Sun X, Lange PK, Raitsos DE, Bouman HA, Hoteit I, Aiken J, Sathyendranath S. A Conceptual Approach to Partitioning a Vertical Profile of Phytoplankton Biomass Into Contributions From Two Communities. J Geophys Res Oceans 2022; 127:e2021JC018195. [PMID: 35859661 PMCID: PMC9285788 DOI: 10.1029/2021jc018195] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We describe an approach to partition a vertical profile of chlorophyll-a concentration into contributions from two communities of phytoplankton: one (community 1) that resides principally in the turbulent mixed-layer of the upper ocean and is observable through satellite visible radiometry; the other (community 2) residing below the mixed-layer, in a stably stratified environment, hidden from the eyes of the satellite. The approach is tuned to a time-series of profiles from a Biogeochemical-Argo float in the northern Red Sea, selected as its location transitions from a deep mixed layer in winter (characteristic of vertically well-mixed systems) to a shallow mixed layer in the summer with a deep chlorophyll-a maximum (characteristic of vertically stratified systems). The approach is extended to reproduce profiles of particle backscattering, by deriving the chlorophyll-specific backscattering coefficients of the two communities and a background coefficient assumed to be dominated by non-algal particles in the region. Analysis of the float data reveals contrasting phenology of the two communities, with community 1 blooming in winter and 2 in summer, community 1 negatively correlated with epipelagic stratification, and 2 positively correlated. We observe a dynamic chlorophyll-specific backscattering coefficient for community 1 (stable for community 2), positively correlated with light in the mixed-layer, suggesting seasonal changes in photoacclimation and/or taxonomic composition within community 1. The approach has the potential for monitoring vertical changes in epipelagic biogeography and for combining satellite and ocean robotic data to yield a three-dimensional view of phytoplankton distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. W. Brewin
- Centre for Geography and Environmental ScienceCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterCornwallUK
| | - Giorgio Dall’Olmo
- Plymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
- National Centre for Earth ObservationPlymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
| | - John Gittings
- Program of Earth Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
- Department of BiologyNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Xuerong Sun
- Centre for Geography and Environmental ScienceCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterCornwallUK
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal ResearchEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Priscila K. Lange
- Departamento de MeteorologiaUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)Rio de JaneiroBrazil
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS)SeattleWAUSA
| | | | | | - Ibrahim Hoteit
- Program of Earth Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Jim Aiken
- Plymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
| | - Shubha Sathyendranath
- Plymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
- National Centre for Earth ObservationPlymouth Marine LaboratoryPlymouthUK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng X, Yang Y, Al-Babili S. Exploring the Diversity and Regulation of Apocarotenoid Metabolic Pathways in Plants. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:787049. [PMID: 34956282 PMCID: PMC8702529 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.787049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In plants, carotenoids are subjected to enzyme-catalyzed oxidative cleavage reactions as well as to non-enzymatic degradation processes, which produce various carbonyl products called apocarotenoids. These conversions control carotenoid content in different tissues and give rise to apocarotenoid hormones and signaling molecules, which play important roles in plant growth and development, response to environmental stimuli, and in interactions with surrounding organisms. In addition, carotenoid cleavage gives rise to apocarotenoid pigments and volatiles that contribute to the color and flavor of many flowers and several fruits. Some apocarotenoid pigments, such as crocins and bixin, are widely utilized as colorants and additives in food and cosmetic industry and also have health-promoting properties. Considering the importance of this class of metabolites, investigation of apocarotenoid diversity and regulation has increasingly attracted the attention of plant biologists. Here, we provide an update on the plant apocarotenoid biosynthetic pathway, especially highlighting the diversity of the enzyme carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 (CCD4) from different plant species with respect to substrate specificity and regioselectivity, which contribute to the formation of diverse apocarotenoid volatiles and pigments. In addition, we summarize the regulation of apocarotenoid metabolic pathway at transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic levels. Finally, we describe inter- and intraspecies variation in apocarotenoid production observed in many important horticulture crops and depict recent progress in elucidating the genetic basis of the natural variation in the composition and amount of apocarotenoids. We propose that the illustration of biochemical, genetic, and evolutionary background of apocarotenoid diversity would not only accelerate the discovery of unknown biosynthetic and regulatory genes of bioactive apocarotenoids but also enable the identification of genetic variation of causal genes for marker-assisted improvement of aroma and color of fruits and vegetables and CRISPR-based next-generation metabolic engineering of high-value apocarotenoids.
Collapse
|