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  • 1. Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Al-Harbat, Nizar
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Abo-Yahya, Bashar
    El-Amin, Wael
    Hatcher, James
    Gabbar, Omar
    Antimicrobial Drug Resistance among Refugees from Syria, Jordan2017In: Emerging Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1080-6040, E-ISSN 1080-6059, Vol. 23, no 5, p. 885-886Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 2.
    Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
    Almalla, Mohamed
    American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
    AlMasri, Ibrahim
    O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
    AlKabbani, Hussam
    Department of Health and Nutrition Al-Ameen for Humanitarian Support, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    El-Amin, Wael
    King's College Hospital London, United Arab Emirates.
    Rajan, Latha
    Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, LA, New Orleans, United States.
    Rahhal, Ibrahim
    Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Alabbas, Mohammad
    Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Sahloul, Zaher
    Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, University of Illinois, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Tarakji, Ahmad
    Syrian American Medical Society, Washington DC, United States.
    Sparrow, Annie
    Department of Population Health Sciences and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.
    The challenges of tuberculosis control in protracted conflict: The case of Syria2020In: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, E-ISSN 1878-3511, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, Vol. 90, p. 53-59Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: Syria's protracted conflict has resulted in ideal conditions for the transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and the cultivation of drug-resistant strains. This paper compares TB control in Syria before and after the conflict using available data, examines the barriers posed by protracted conflict and those specific to Syria, and discusses what measures can be taken to address the control of TB in Syria.

    Results: Forced mass displacement and systematic violations of humanitarian law have resulted in overcrowding and the destruction of key infrastructure, leading to an increased risk of both drug-sensitive and resistant TB, while restricting the ability to diagnose, trace contacts, treat, and follow-up. Pre-conflict, TB in Syria was officially reported at 22 per 100 000 population; the official figure for 2017 of 19 per 100 000 is likely a vast underestimate given the challenges and barriers to case detection. Limited diagnostics also affect the diagnosis of multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB, reported as comprising 8.8% of new diagnoses in 2017.

    Conclusions: The control of TB in Syria requires a multipronged, tailored, and pragmatic approach to improve timely diagnosis, increase detection, stop transmission, and mitigate the risk of drug resistance. Solutions must also consider vulnerable populations such as imprisoned and besieged communities where the risk of drug resistance is particularly high, and must recognize the limitations of national programming. Strengthening capacity to control TB in Syria with particular attention to these factors will positively impact other parallel conditions; this is key as attention turns to post-conflict reconstruction.

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  • 3.
    Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Department of Infection, Imperial College, St Marys Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Syria Public Health Network, London, United Kingdom.
    Almhawish, Naser
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Aladhan, Ibrahim
    Environmental Protection Agency of Syria, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Alobaid, Redwan
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Weaponisation of water2022In: The Lancet, ISSN 0140-6736, E-ISSN 1474-547X, Vol. 400, no 10367, p. 1925-1925Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 4. Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Rawson, Timothy M.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    El-Amin, Wael
    Hatcher, James
    Tajaldin, Bachir
    Dar, Osman
    Dewachi, Omar
    Abu Sitta, Ghassan
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sparrow, Annie
    A summary and appraisal of existing evidence of antimicrobial resistance in the Syrian conflict2018In: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, E-ISSN 1878-3511, Vol. 75, p. 26-33Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in populations experiencing war has yet to be addressed, despite the abundance of contemporary conflicts and the protracted nature of twenty-first century wars, in combination with growing global concern over conflict-associated bacterial pathogens. The example of the Syrian conflict is used to explore the feasibility of using existing global policies on AMR in conditions of extreme conflict. The available literature on AMR and prescribing behaviour in Syria before and since the onset of the conflict in March 2011 was identified. Overall, there is a paucity of rigorous data before and since the onset of conflict in Syria to contextualize the burden of AMR. However, post onset of the conflict, an increasing number of studies conducted in neighbouring countries and Europe have reported AMR in Syrian refugees. High rates of multidrug resistance, particularly Gram-negative organisms, have been noted amongst Syrian refugees when compared with local populations. Conflict impedes many of the safeguards against AMR, creates new drivers, and exacerbates existing ones. Given the apparently high rates of AMR in Syria, in neighbouring countries hosting refugees, and in European countries providing asylum, this requires the World Health Organization and other global health institutions to address the causes, costs, and future considerations of conflict-related AMR as an issue of global governance. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

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  • 5. Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Rawson, Timothy M.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    El-Amin, Wael
    Hatcher, James
    Tajaldin, Bachir
    Dar, Osman
    Dewachi, Omar
    Abu Sitta, Ghassan
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sparrow, Annie
    Antimicrobial resistance in the context of the Syrian conflict: Drivers before and after the onset of conflict and key recommendations2018In: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, E-ISSN 1878-3511, Vol. 73, p. 1-6Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Current evidence describing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of the Syrian conflict is of poor quality and sparse in nature. This paper explores and reports the major drivers of AMR that were present in Syria pre-conflict and those that have emerged since its onset in March 2011. Drivers that existed before the conflict included a lack of enforcement of existing legislation to regulate over-the-counter antibiotics and notification of communicable diseases. This contributed to a number of drivers of AMR after the onset of conflict, and these were also compounded by the exodus of trained staff, the increase in overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, the increase in injuries, and economic sanctions limiting the availability of required laboratory medical materials and equipment. Addressing AMR in this context requires pragmatic, multifaceted action at the local, regional, and international levels to detect and manage potentially high rates of multidrug-resistant infections. Priorities are (1) the development of a competent surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections, (2) antimicrobial stewardship, and (3) the creation of cost-effective and implementable infection control policies. However, it is only by addressing the conflict and immediate cessation of the targeting of health facilities that the rehabilitation of the health system, which is key to addressing AMR in this context, can progress. 

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  • 6.
    Abbara, Aula
    et al.
    Imperial College, London, United Kingdom; Syria Public Health Network, United Kingdom.
    Zakieh, Omar
    Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
    Rayes, Diana
    Syria Public Health Network, United Kingdom; Johns Hopkins, United States.
    Collin, Simon M.
    Public Health England, United Kingdom.
    Almhawish, Naser
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Turkey.
    Sullivan, Richard
    King's College, London, United Kingdom.
    Aladhan, Ibrahim
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Turkey.
    Tarnas, Maia
    Community Research Initiative, MA, Charlestown, United States.
    Whalen-Browne, Molly
    University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
    Omar, Maryam
    St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
    Tarakji, Ahmad
    Syrian American Medical Society, United States.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Weaponizing water as an instrument of war in Syria: Impact on diarrhoeal disease in Idlib and Aleppo governorates, 2011–20192021In: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, E-ISSN 1878-3511, Vol. 108, p. 202-208Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: Investigate the weaponization of water during the Syrian conflict and the correlation of attacks on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Idlib and Aleppo governorates with trends in waterborne diseases reported by Early Warning and Response surveillance systems.

    Methods: We reviewed literature and databases to obtain information on attacks on WASH in Aleppo and Idlib governorates between 2011 and 2019. We plotted weekly trends in waterborne diseases from two surveillance systems operational in Aleppo and Idlib governorates between 2015 and early 2020.

    Results: The literature review noted several attacks on water and related infrastructure in both governorates, suggesting that WASH infrastructure was weaponized by state and non-state actors. Most interference with WASH in the Aleppo governorate occurred before 2019 and in the Idlib governorate in the summer of 2020. Other acute diarrhea represented >90% of cases of diarrhea; children under 5 years contributed 50% of cases. There was substantial evidence (p < 0.001) of an overall upward trend in cases of diarrheal disease.

    Conclusions: Though no direct correlation can be drawn between the weaponization of WASH and the burden of waterborne infections due to multiple confounders, this research introduces important concepts on attacks on WASH and their potential impacts on waterborne diseases.

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  • 7. Abou Fayad, A.
    et al.
    El Diwachi, O.
    Haraoui, L. P.
    Abu Sitta, G.
    Nguyen, V. -K
    Abbara, A.
    Landecker, H.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Knapp, C.
    McEvoy, M.
    Zamman, M.
    Higgins, P.
    Matar, G.
    War, antimicrobial resistance, and Acinetobacter baumannii (WAMRA)2020In: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1201-9712, E-ISSN 1878-3511, Vol. 101, p. 87-88Article in journal (Other academic)
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  • 8. Abraham, Nabil M.
    et al.
    Liu, Lei
    Jutras, Brandon Lyon
    Yadav, Akhilesh K.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Narasimhan, Sukanya
    Gopalakrishnan, Vissagan
    Ansari, Juliana M.
    Jefferson, Kimberly K.
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Jacobs-Wagner, Christine
    Fikrig, Erol
    Pathogen-mediated manipulation of arthropod microbiota to promote infection2017In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 114, no 5, p. E781-E790Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Arthropods transmit diverse infectious agents; however, the ways microbes influence their vector to enhance colonization are poorly understood. Ixodes scapularis ticks harbor numerous human pathogens, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. We now demonstrate that A. phagocytophilum modifies the I. scapularis microbiota to more efficiently infect the tick. A. phagocytophilum induces ticks to express Ixodes scapularis antifreeze glycoprotein (iafgp), which encodes a protein with several properties, including the ability to alter bacterial biofilm formation. IAFGP thereby perturbs the tick gut microbiota, which influences the integrity of the peritrophic matrix and gut barrier-critical obstacles for Anaplasma colonization. Mechanistically, IAFGP binds the terminal D-alanine residue of the pentapeptide chain of bacterial peptidoglycan, resulting in altered permeability and the capacity of bacteria to form biofilms. These data elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which a human pathogen appropriates an arthropod antibacterial protein to alter the gut microbiota and more effectively colonize the vector.

  • 9.
    Achour, Cyrinne
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Canonical and non-canonical functions of METTL3 in breast cancer2022Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Gene expression is spatially and temporally regulated at multiple levels. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification in messenger RNA (mRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs). m6A plays important roles in multiple cellular processes including stem cell pluripotency, adipogenesis, spermatogenesis, neurogenesis, circadian rhythm and development by modulating RNA splicing, export, stability, degradation and translation. Although aberrant m6A methylation has been reported in various types of cancer, the underlying molecular functions of METTL3, the solely catalytic subunit of the m6A-methylase complex, has yet to be defined.

    m6A has been recently identified in nascent pre-mRNA, and more specifically intronic m6A has been linked to exon skipping events. The occurrence of impaired alternative splicing (AS) is frequently found during the development of cancer. We performed transcriptome wide analysis in breast cancer cell lines and explored AS events. Our results define an AS signature for breast tumorigenesis. We found that METTL3 modulates AS directly through m6A deposition at the intron-exon junctions or indirectly by the m6A deposition in transcripts encoding for splicing factors and transcription factors. In particular, we show that MYC mRNA harbours the m6A mark, suggesting that METTL3 regulates AS indirectly via the regulation of MYC expression. Indeed, the targets of MYC overlapped with METTL3-associated AS events. Importantly, five of the AS events identified and validated in vitro, are linked to a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. Additionally, we show that METTL3 enhances the breast cancer phenotype through a dual mechanism depending on its sub-cellular localization. We find that the canonical nuclear function of METTL3 decorates transcripts that are involved in cell proliferation and migration. We observe that METTL3 is highly expressed in the cytoplasmic compartment of breast cancer cells from patients. Remarkably, we uncover that the cytoplasmic METTL3 interacts with subunits of the exocyst, whose subunit EXOC7 has been linked to cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Notably, we show that breast cancer cell lines depleted of METTL3 display less gelatinase activity and invadopodia formation, supporting the role of METTL3 in cell invasion via exocytosis.

    m6A is a reversible modification, which can be demethylated by the erasers FTO and ALKBH5. Depletion of FTO has been shown to increase the level of m6A in mRNA, however recent studies have reported that FTO could demethylate N6,2´-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), adjacent to the 7-methylguanosine cap on mRNA. In the cellular model of colorectal cancer CRC1, depletion of FTO leads to a cancer stem cell phenotype and confers chemotherapy resistance. By performing m6A-RNA immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (MeRIP), we show that knockdown of FTO in CRC1 cells does not affect the global level of m6A in mRNA but of m6Am level.

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  • 10.
    Achour, Cyrinne
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Bhattarai, Devi Prasad
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Esteva-Socias, Margalida
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Rodriguez-Barrueco, Ruth
    Malla, Sandhya
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Seier, Kerstin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Marchand, Virginie
    Motorine, Yuri
    Lundin, Eva
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biosciences.
    Gilthorpe, Jonathan D.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB).
    Marzese, Diego Matias
    Bally, Marta
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Roman, Angel-Carlos
    Pich, Andreas
    Aguilo, Francesca
    Reshaping the role of METTL3 in breast tumorigenesisManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 11.
    Achour, Cyrinne
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Bhattarai, Devi Prasad
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Groza, Paula
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    Roman, Ángel-Carlos
    Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
    Aguilo, Francesca
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM).
    METTL3 regulates breast cancer-associated alternative splicing switches2023In: Oncogene, ISSN 0950-9232, E-ISSN 1476-5594, Vol. 42, p. 911-925Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Alternative splicing (AS) enables differential inclusion of exons from a given transcript, thereby contributing to the transcriptome and proteome diversity. Aberrant AS patterns play major roles in the development of different pathologies, including breast cancer. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA, influences tumor progression and metastasis of breast cancer, and it has been recently linked to AS regulation. Here, we identify a specific AS signature associated with breast tumorigenesis in vitro. We characterize for the first time the role of METTL3 in modulating breast cancer-associated AS programs, expanding the role of the m6A-methyltransferase in tumorigenesis. Specifically, we find that both m6A deposition in splice site boundaries and in splicing and transcription factor transcripts, such as MYC, direct AS switches of specific breast cancer-associated transcripts. Finally, we show that five of the AS events validated in vitro are associated with a poor overall survival rate for patients with breast cancer, suggesting the use of these AS events as a novel potential prognostic biomarker.

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  • 12. Addario, Barbara
    et al.
    Sandblad, Linda
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Persson, Karina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Backman, Lars
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Characterisation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe alpha-actinin2016In: PeerJ, E-ISSN 2167-8359, Vol. 4, article id e1858Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The actin cytoskeleton plays a fundamental role in eukaryotic cells. Its reorganization is regulated by a plethora of actin-modulating proteins, such as a-actinin. In higher organisms, alpha-actinin is characterized by the presence of three distinct structural domains: an N-terminal actin-binding domain and a C-terminal region with EF-hand motif separated by a central rod domain with four spectrin repeats. Sequence analysis has revealed that the central rod domain of alpha-actinin from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe consists of only two spectrin repeats. To obtain a firmer understanding of the structure and function of this unconventional alpha-actinin, we have cloned and characterized each structural domain. Our results show that this alpha-actinin isoform is capable of forming dimers and that the rod domain is required for this. However, its actin-binding and cross-linking activity appears less efficient compared to conventional alpha-actinins. The solved crystal structure of the actin-binding domain indicates that the closed state is stabilised by hydrogen bonds and a salt bridge not present in other a-actinins, which may reduce the affinity for actin.

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  • 13.
    Agerhäll, Martin
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology.
    Henrikson, Martin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology.
    Johansson Söderberg, Jenny
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sellin, Mats
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Tano, Krister
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology.
    Gylfe, Åsa
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology.
    Berggren, Diana
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology.
    High prevalence of pharyngeal bacterial pathogens among healthy adolescents and young adults2021In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS), ISSN 0903-4641, E-ISSN 1600-0463, Vol. 129, no 12, p. 711-716Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The pharyngeal mucosa can be colonized with bacteria that have potential to cause pharyngotonsillitis. By the use of culturing techniques and PCR, we aimed to assess the prevalence of bacterial pharyngeal pathogens among healthy adolescents and young adults. We performed a cross-sectional study in a community-based cohort of 217 healthy individuals between 16 and 25 years of age. Samples were analyzed for Group A streptococci (GAS), Group C/G streptococci (SDSE), Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Compared to culturing, the PCR method resulted in more frequent detection, albeit in most cases with low levels of DNA, of GAS (20/217 vs. 5/217; p < 0.01) and F. necrophorum (20/217 vs. 8/217; p < 0.01). Culturing and PCR yielded similar rates of SDSE detection (14/217 vs. 12/217; p = 0.73). Arcanobacterium haemolyticum was rarely detected (3/217), and only by PCR. Overall, in 25.3% (55/217) of these healthy adolescents and young adults at least one of these pathogens was detected, a rate that is higher than previously described. Further studies are needed before clinical adoption of PCR-based detection methods for pharyngeal bacterial pathogens, as our findings suggest a high incidence of asymptomatic carriage among adolescents and young adults without throat infections.

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  • 14.
    Ahlström, Ingela
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    A study of viral co-infection amongst children suffering from malar2013Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
  • 15.
    Ahmad, Irfan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet; Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences.
    Cimdins, Annika
    Beske, Timo
    Römling, Ute
    Detailed analysis of c-di-GMP mediated regulation of csgD expression in Salmonella typhimurium2017In: BMC Microbiology, E-ISSN 1471-2180, Vol. 17, article id 27Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The secondary messenger cyclic di-GMP promotes biofilm formation by up regulating the expression of csgD, encoding the major regulator of rdar biofilm formation in Salmonella typhimurium. The GGDEF/EAL domain proteins regulate the c-di-GMP turnover. There are twenty-two GGDEF/EAL domain proteins in the genome of S. typhimurium. In this study, we dissect the role of individual GGDEF/EAL proteins for csgD expression and rdar biofilm development. Results: Among twelve GGDEF domains, two proteins upregulate and among fifteen EAL domains, four proteins down regulate csgD expression. We identified two additional GGDEF proteins required to promote optimal csgD expression. With the exception of the EAL domain of STM1703, solely, diguanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities are required to regulate csgD mediated rdar biofilm formation. Identification of corresponding phosphodiesterases and diguanylate cyclases interacting in the csgD regulatory network indicates various levels of regulation by c-di-GMP. The phosphodiesterase STM1703 represses transcription of csgD via a distinct promoter upstream region. Conclusion: The enzymatic activity and the protein scaffold of GGDEF/EAL domain proteins regulate csgD expression. Thereby, c-di-GMP adjusts csgD expression at multiple levels presumably using a multitude of input signals.

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  • 16.
    Ahmad, Irfan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Nadeem, Aftab
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Analysis of colony phase variation switch in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates2019In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 14, no 1, article id e0210082Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Reversible switching between opaque and translucent colony formation is a novel feature of Acinetobacter baumannii that has been associated with variations in the cell morphology, surface motility, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance and virulence. Here, we assessed a number of phenotypic alterations related to colony switching in A. baumannii clinical isolates belonging to different multi-locus sequence types. Our findings demonstrated that these phenotypic alterations were mostly strain-specific. In general, the translucent subpopulations of A. baumannii produced more dense biofilms, were more piliated, and released larger amounts of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). In addition, the translucent subpopulations caused reduced fertility of Caenorhabditis elegans. When assessed for effects on the immune response in RAW 264.7 macrophages, the OMVs isolated from opaque subpopulations of A. baumannii appeared to be more immunogenic than the OMVs from the translucent form. However, also the OMVs from the translucent subpopulations had the potential to evoke an immune response. Therefore, we suggest that OMVs may be considered for development of new immunotherapeutic treatments against A. baumannii infections.

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  • 17.
    Ahmad, Irfan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Nadeem, Aftab
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Mushtaq, Fizza
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Zlatkov, Nikola
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Shahzad, Muhammad
    Department of Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Zavialov, Anton V.
    Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6A, Turku, Finland.
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Csu pili dependent biofilm formation and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii2023In: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, E-ISSN 2055-5008, Vol. 9, no 1, article id 101Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as one of the most common extensive drug-resistant nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Not only can the bacteria survive in hospital settings for long periods, but they are also able to resist adverse conditions. However, underlying regulatory mechanisms that allow A. baumannii to cope with these conditions and mediate its virulence are poorly understood. Here, we show that bi-stable expression of the Csu pili, along with the production of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine, regulates the formation of Mountain-like biofilm-patches on glass surfaces to protect bacteria from the bactericidal effect of colistin. Csu pilus assembly is found to be an essential component of mature biofilms formed on glass surfaces and of pellicles. By using several microscopic techniques, we show that clinical isolates of A. baumannii carrying abundant Csu pili mediate adherence to epithelial cells. In addition, Csu pili suppressed surface-associated motility but enhanced colonization of bacteria into the lungs, spleen, and liver in a mouse model of systemic infection. The screening of c-di-GMP metabolizing protein mutants of A. baumannii 17978 for the capability to adhere to epithelial cells led us to identify GGDEF/EAL protein AIS_2337, here denoted PdeB, as a major regulator of Csu pili-mediated virulence and biofilm formation. Moreover, PdeB was found to be involved in the type IV pili-regulated robustness of surface-associated motility. Our findings suggest that the Csu pilus is not only a functional component of mature A. baumannii biofilms but also a major virulence factor promoting the initiation of disease progression by mediating bacterial adherence to epithelial cells.

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  • 18.
    Ahmad, Irfan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Nygren, Evelina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Khalid, Fizza
    Myint, Si Lhyam
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    A Cyclic-di-GMP signalling network regulates biofilm formation and surface associated motility of Acinetobacter baumannii 179782020In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 10, no 1, article id 1991Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an increasing multidrug-resistant threat in hospitals and a common opportunistic nosocomial pathogen worldwide. However, molecular details of the pathogenesis and physiology of this bacterium largely remain to be elucidated. Here we identify and characterize the c-di-GMP signalling network and assess its role in biofilm formation and surface associated motility. Bioinformatic analysis revealed eleven candidate genes for c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins (GGDEF/EAL domain proteins) in the genome of A. baumannii strain 17978. Enzymatic activity of the encoded proteins was assessed by molecular cloning and expression in the model organisms Salmonella typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae. Ten of the eleven GGDEF/EAL proteins altered the rdar morphotype of S. typhimurium and the rugose morphotype of V. cholerae. The over expression of three GGDEF proteins exerted a pronounced effect on colony formation of A. baumannii on Congo Red agar plates. Distinct panels of GGDEF/EAL proteins were found to alter biofilm formation and surface associated motility of A. baumannii upon over expression. The GGDEF protein A1S_3296 appeared as a major diguanylate cyclase regulating macro-colony formation, biofilm formation and the surface associated motility. AIS_3296 promotes Csu pili mediated biofilm formation. We conclude that a functional c-di-GMP signalling network in A. baumannii regulates biofilm formation and surface associated motility of this increasingly important opportunistic bacterial pathogen.

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  • 19.
    Ahmad, Irfan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Rouf, Syed Fazle
    Sun, Lei
    Cimdins, Annika
    Shafeeq, Sulman
    Le Guyon, Soazig
    Schottkowski, Marco
    Rhen, Mikael
    Romling, Ute
    BcsZ inhibits biofilm phenotypes and promotes virulence by blocking cellulose production in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium2016In: Microbial Cell Factories, ISSN 1475-2859, E-ISSN 1475-2859, Vol. 15, article id 177Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Cellulose, a 1,4 beta-glucan polysaccharide, is produced by a variety of organisms including bacteria. Although the production of cellulose has a high biological, ecological and economical impact, regulatory mechanisms of cellulose biosynthesis are mostly unknown. Family eight cellulases are regularly associated with cellulose biosynthesis operons in bacteria; however, their function is poorly characterized. In this study, we analysed the role of the cellulase BcsZ encoded by the bcsABZC cellulose biosynthesis operon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in biofilm related behavior. We also investigated the involvement of BcsZ in pathogenesis of S. Typhimurium including a murine typhoid fever infection model. Result: In S. Typhimurium, cellulase BcsZ with a putative periplasmic location negatively regulates cellulose biosynthesis. Moreover, as assessed with a non-polar mutant, BcsZ affects cellulose-associated phenotypes such as the rdar biofilm morphotype, cell clumping, biofilm formation, pellicle formation and flagella-dependent motility. Strikingly, although upregulation of cellulose biosynthesis was not observed on agar plate medium at 37 degrees C, BcsZ is required for efficient pathogen-host interaction. Key virulence phenotypes of S. Typhimurium such as invasion of epithelial cells and proliferation in macrophages were positively regulated by BcsZ. Further on, a bcsZ mutant was outcompeted by the wild type in organ colonization in the murine typhoid fever infection model. Selected phenotypes were relieved upon deletion of the cellulose synthase BcsA and/or the central biofilm activator CsgD. Conclusion: Although the protein scaffold has an additional physiological role, our findings indicate that the catalytic activity of BcsZ effectively downregulates CsgD activated cellulose biosynthesis. Repression of cellulose production by BcsZ subsequently enables Salmonella to efficiently colonize the host.

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  • 20.
    Ahmed, Heba A.
    et al.
    Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
    Ibrahim, Lidia L.
    Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
    El Mekkawy, Desouki A.
    Department of Zoology, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
    El Wakil, Abeer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, University of Alexandria, Egypt.
    Expression pattern of the orphan nuclear receptor, nurr1, in the developing mouse forelimb and its relationship to limb skeletogenesis and osteogenesis2015In: OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, ISSN 1608-4217, Vol. 15, no 3, p. 162-169Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The NR4A orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr1, has been shown to regulate the expression of osteoblastic genes and osteoblastic differentiation. However, the expression profile of Nurr1 in the developing mouse forelimb and its relationship to skeletogenesis has not, to the best of our knowledge, been previously analyzed. In this study, the relationship between Nurr1 expression pattern, skeletogenesis and osteogenesis in the developing mouse forelimb was investigated. The expression level of Nurr1 during development was also quantified by real time-polymerase chain reaction. Our results revealed that Nurr1 is expressed in the mesenchyme cells that will form the skeleton. Nurr1 is aabundantly expressed in the primary ossification centers of the forelimb skeletal elements and its expression level is gradually increased during limb development, particularly, at the onset of ossification. Collectively, these data suggested that Nurr1 plays an important role in skeletogenesis and patterning of the developing mouse forelimb.

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  • 21.
    Ahsan, Umaira
    et al.
    Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Mushtaq, Fizza
    Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Saleem, Sidrah
    Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Malik, Abdul
    Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Sarfaraz, Hira
    Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Shahzad, Muhammad
    Department of Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Ahmad, Irfan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Emergence of high colistin resistance in carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Pakistan and its potential management through immunomodulatory effect of an extract from Saussurea lappa2022In: Frontiers in Pharmacology, E-ISSN 1663-9812, Vol. 13, article id 986802Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as one of the most difficult to treat nosocomial bacterial infections in recent years. It was one of the major causes of secondary infections in Covid-19 patients in developing countries. The polycationic polypeptide antibiotic colistin is used as a last resort drug to treat carbapenem resistant A. baumannii infections. Therefore, resistance to colistin is considered as a serious medical threat. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of colistin resistance in Pakistan, a country where carbapenem resistant A. bumannii infections are endemic, to understand the impact of colistin resistance on virulence in mice and to assess alternative strategies to treat such infections. Out of 150 isolates collected from five hospitals in Pakistan during 2019–20, 84% were carbapenem resistant and 7.3% were additionally resistant to colistin. There were two isolates resistant to all tested antibiotics and 83% of colistin resistant isolates were susceptible to only tetracycline family drugs doxycycline and minocycline. Doxycycline exhibited a synergetic bactericidal effect with colistin even in colistin resistant isolates. Exposure of A. baumannii 17978 to sub inhibitory concentrations of colistin identified novel point mutations associated with colistin resistance. Colistin tolerance acquired independent of mutations in lpxA, lpxB, lpxC, lpxD, and pmrAB supressed the proinflammatory immune response in epithelial cells and the virulence in a mouse infection model. Moreover, the oral administration of water extract of Saussuria lappa, although not showing antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii in vitro, lowered the number of colonizing bacteria in liver, spleen and lung of the mouse model and also lowered the levels of neutrophils and interleukin 8 in mice. Our findings suggest that the S. lappa extract exhibits an immunomodulatory effect with potential to reduce and cure systemic infections by both opaque and translucent colony variants of A. baumannii.

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  • 22.
    Aili, Margareta
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Isaksson, Elin L
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Carlsson, Sara E
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Wolf-Watz, Hans
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Rosqvist, Roland
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Francis, Matthew S
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Regulation of Yersinia Yop-effector delivery by translocated YopE2008In: International Journal of Medical Microbiology, ISSN 1438-4221, E-ISSN 1618-0607, Vol. 298, no 3-4, p. 183-192Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The bacterial pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis uses a type III secretion (T3S) system to translocate Yop effectors into eukaryotic cells. Effectors are thought to gain access to the cytosol via pores formed in the host cell plasma membrane. Translocated YopE can modulate this pore formation through its GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity. In this study, we analysed the role of translocated YopE and all the other known Yop effectors in the regulation of effector translocation. Elevated levels of Yop effector translocation into HeLa cells occurred by YopE-defective strains, but not those defective for other Yop effectors. Only Yersinia devoid of YopK exhibits a similar hyper-translocation phenotype. Since both yopK and yopE mutants also failed to down-regulate Yop synthesis in the presence of eukaryotic cells, these data imply that translocated YopE specifically regulates subsequent effector translocation by Yersinia through at least one mechanism that involves YopK. We suggest that the GAP activity of YopE might be working as an intra-cellular probe measuring the amount of protein translocated by Yersinia during infection. This may be a general feature of T3S-associated GAP proteins, since two homologues from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, exoenzyme S (ExoS) and exoenzyme T (ExoT), can complement the hyper-translocation phenotypes of the yopE GAP mutant.

  • 23.
    Aili, Margareta
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Telepnev, Max
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Hallberg, Bengt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Wolf-Watz, Hans
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Rosqvist, Roland
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    In vitro GAP activity towards RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 is not a prerequisite for YopE induced HeLa cell cytotoxicity2003In: Microbial Pathogenesis, ISSN 0882-4010, E-ISSN 1096-1208, Vol. 34, no 6, p. 297-308Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The YopE cytotoxin of Yersinia is an essential virulence determinant that is translocated into the eukaryotic target cell via a plasmid-encoded type III secretion system. YopE possess a GTPase activating protein activity that in vitro has been shown to down regulate RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42. Translocated YopE induces de-polymerisation of the actin microfilament structure in the eukaryotic cell which results in a rounding up of infected cells described as a cytotoxic effect. Here, we have investigated the importance of different regions of YopE for induction of cytotoxicity and in vitro GAP activity. Sequential removal of the N- and C-terminus of YopE identified the region between amino acids 90 and 215 to be necessary for induction of cytotoxicity. Internal deletions containing the essential arginine at position 144 resulted in a total loss of cytotoxic response. In-frame deletions flanking the arginine finger defined a region important for the cytotoxic effect to amino acids 166–183. Four triple-alanine substitution mutants in this region, YopE166-8A, 169-71A, 175-7A and 178-80A were still able to induce cytotoxicity on HeLa cells although they did not show any in vitro GAP activity towards RhoA, Rac1 or Cdc42. A substitution mutant in position 206-8A showed the same phenotype, ability to induce cytotoxic response but no in vitro GAP activity. We speculate that YopE may have additional unidentified targets within the eukaryotic cell.

  • 24.
    Akopyan, Karen
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Edgren, Tomas
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Wang-Edgren, Helen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Rosqvist, Roland
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Fahlgren, Anna
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Wolf-Watz, Hans
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Fällman, Maria
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Translocation of surface-localized effectors in type III secretion2011In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 108, no 4, p. 1639-1644Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Pathogenic Yersinia species suppress the host immune response by using a plasmid-encoded type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate virulence proteins into the cytosol of the target cells. T3SS-dependent protein translocation is believed to occur in one step from the bacterial cytosol to the target-cell cytoplasm through a conduit created by the T3SS upon target cell contact. Here, we report that T3SS substrates on the surface of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are translocated into target cells. Upon host cell contact, purified YopH coated on Y. pseudotuberculosis was specifically and rapidly translocated across the target-cell membrane, which led to a physiological response in the infected cell. In addition, translocation of externally added YopH required a functional T3SS and a specific translocation domain in the effector protein. Efficient, T3SS-dependent translocation of purified YopH added in vitro was also observed when using coated Salmonella typhimurium strains, which implies that T3SS-mediated translocation of extracellular effector proteins is conserved among T3SS-dependent pathogens. Our results demonstrate that polarized T3SS-dependent translocation of proteins can be achieved through an intermediate extracellular step that can be reconstituted in vitro. These results indicate that translocation can occur by a different mechanism from the assumed single-step conduit model.

  • 25. Akram, Neelam
    et al.
    Palovaara, Joakim
    Forsberg, Jeremy
    Lindh, Markus V.
    Milton, Debra L.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Luo, Haiwei
    Gonzalez, Jose M.
    Pinhassi, Jarone
    Regulation of proteorhodopsin gene expression by nutrient limitation in the marine bacterium Vibrio sp AND42013In: Environmental Microbiology, ISSN 1462-2912, E-ISSN 1462-2920, Vol. 15, no 5, p. 1400-1415Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Proteorhodopsin (PR), a ubiquitous membrane photoprotein in marine environments, acts as a light-driven proton pump and can provide energy for bacterial cellular metabolism. However, knowledge of factors that regulate PR gene expression in different bacteria remains strongly limited. Here, experiments with Vibrio sp. AND4 showed that PR phototrophy promoted survival only in cells from stationary phase and not in actively growing cells. PR gene expression was tightly regulated, with very low values in exponential phase, a pronounced peak at the exponential/stationary phase intersection, and a marked decline in stationary phase. Thus, PR gene expression at the entry into stationary phase preceded, and could therefore largely explain, the stationary phase light-induced survival response in AND4. Further experiments revealed nutrient limitation, not light exposure, regulated this differential PR expression. Screening of available marine vibrios showed that the PR gene, and thus the potential for PR phototrophy, is found in at least three different clusters in the genus Vibrio. In an ecological context, our findings suggest that some PR-containing bacteria adapted to the exploitation of nutrient-rich micro-environments rely on a phase of relatively slowly declining resources to mount a cellular response preparing them for adverse conditions dispersed in the water column.

  • 26. Alaridah, Nader
    et al.
    Hallbäck, Erika Tång
    Tångrot, Jeanette
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), SciLifeLab, Computational Life Science Cluster, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Winqvistz, Niclas
    Sturegard, Erik
    Floren-Johanssons, Kerstin
    Jonsson, Bodil
    Tenland, Erik
    Welinder-Olssons, Christina
    Medstrand, Patrik
    Kaijser, Bertil
    Godaly, Gabriela
    Transmission dynamics study of tuberculosis isolates with whole genome sequencing in southern Sweden2019In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 9, article id 4931Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Epidemiological contact tracing complemented with genotyping of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates is important for understanding disease transmission. In Sweden, tuberculosis (TB) is mostly reported in migrant and homeless where epidemiologic contact tracing could pose a problem. This study compared epidemiologic linking with genotyping in a low burden country. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (n = 93) collected at Scania University Hospital in Southern Sweden were analysed with the standard genotyping method mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and the results were compared with whole genome sequencing (WGS). Using a maximum of twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as the upper threshold of genomic relatedness noted among hosts, we identified 18 clusters with WGS comprising 52 patients with overall pairwise genetic maximum distances ranging from zero to nine SNPs. MIRU-VNTR and WGS clustered the same isolates, although the distribution differed depending on MIRU-VNTR limitations. Both genotyping techniques identified clusters where epidemiologic linking was insufficient, although WGS had higher correlation with epidemiologic data. To summarize, WGS provided better resolution of transmission than MIRU-VNTR in a setting with low TB incidence. WGS predicted epidemiologic links better which could consolidate and correct the epidemiologically linked cases, avoiding thus false clustering.

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  • 27. Albrecht, Letusa
    et al.
    Moll, Kirsten
    Blomqvist, Karin
    Normark, Johan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Chen, Qijun
    Wahlgren, Mats
    var gene transcription and PfEMP1 expression in the rosetting and cytoadhesive Plasmodium falciparum clone FCR3S1.22011In: Malaria Journal, ISSN 1475-2875, E-ISSN 1475-2875, Vol. 10, article id 17Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The pathogenicity of Plasmodium falciparum is in part due to the ability of the parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) to adhere to intra- vascular host cell receptors and serum-proteins. Binding of the pRBC is mediated by Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), a large multi-variant molecule encoded by a family of approximate to 60 var genes. Methods: The study of var gene transcription in the parasite clone FCR3S1.2 was performed by semi-quantitative PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression of the major PfEMP1 in FCR3S1.2 pRBC was analysed with polyclonal sera in rosette disruption assays and immunofluorecence. Results: Transcripts from var1 (FCR3S1.2(var1); IT4var21) and other var genes were detected by semi-quantitative PCR but results from qPCR showed that one var gene transcript dominated over the others (FCR3S1.2var2; IT4var60). Antibodies raised in rats to the recombinant NTS-DBL1a of var2 produced in E. coli completely and dosedependently disrupted rosettes (approximate to 95% at a dilution of 1/5). The sera reacted with the Maurer's clefts in trophozoite stages (IFA) and to the infected erythrocyte surface (FACS) indicating that FCR3S1.2var2 encodes the dominant PfEMP1 expressed in this parasite. Conclusion: The major transcript in the rosetting model parasite FCR3S1.2 is FCR3S1.2var2 (IT4var60). The results suggest that this gene encodes the PfEMP1-species responsible for the rosetting phenotype of this parasite. The activity of previously raised antibodies to the NTS-DBL1a of FCR3S1.2var1 is likely due to cross-reactivity with NTS-DBL1 alpha of the var2 encoded PfEMP1.

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  • 28. Aldick, Thomas
    et al.
    Bielaszewska, Martina
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Humpf, Hans-Ulrich
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Karch, Helge
    Vesicular stabilization and activity augmentation of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli haemolysin2009In: Molecular Microbiology, ISSN 0950-382X, E-ISSN 1365-2958, Vol. 71, no 6, p. 1496-508Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Haemolysin from enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC-Hly), a putative EHEC virulence factor, belongs to the RTX (repeat-in-toxin) family whose members rapidly inactivate themselves by self-aggregation. By investigating the status of EHEC-Hly secreted extracellularly, we found the toxin both in a free, soluble form and associated, with high tendency and independently of its acylation status, to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) extruded by EHEC. We compared the interaction of both toxin forms with erythrocytes using scanning electron microscopy and binding assays. The OMV-associated toxin was substantially (80 times) more stable under physiological conditions than the free EHEC-Hly as demonstrated by prolonged haemolytic activity (half-life time 20 h versus 15 min). The haemolysis was preceded by calcium-dependent binding of OMVs carrying EHEC-Hly to erythrocytes; this binding was mediated by EHEC-Hly. We demonstrate that EHEC-Hly is a biologically active cargo in OMVs with dual roles: a cell-binding protein and a haemolysin. These paired functions produce a biologically potent form of the OMV-associated RTX toxin and augment its potential towards target cells. Our findings provide a general concept for stabilization of RTX toxins and open new insights into the biology of these important virulence factors.

  • 29. Alekeyenko, Artyom A.
    et al.
    Ho, Joshua W. K.
    Peng, Shouyong
    Gelbart, Marnie
    Tolstorukov, Michael Y.
    Plachetka, Annette
    Kharchenko, Peter V.
    Jung, Youngsook L.
    Gorchakov, Andrey A.
    Larschan, Erica
    Gu, Tingting
    Minoda, Aki
    Riddle, Nicole C.
    Schwartz, Yuri B.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Elgin, Sarah C. R.
    Karpen, Gary H.
    Pirrotta, Vincenzo
    Kuroda, Mitzi I.
    Park, Peter J.
    Sequence-Specific Targeting of Dosage Compensation in Drosophila Favors an Active Chromatin Context2012In: PLoS Genetics, ISSN 1553-7390, Vol. 8, no 4, p. e1002646-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Drosophila MSL complex mediates dosage compensation by increasing transcription of the single X chromosome in males approximately two-fold. This is accomplished through recognition of the X chromosome and subsequent acetylation of histone H4K16 on X-linked genes. Initial binding to the X is thought to occur at "entry sites" that contain a consensus sequence motif ("MSL recognition element" or MRE). However, this motif is only similar to 2 fold enriched on X, and only a fraction of the motifs on X are initially targeted. Here we ask whether chromatin context could distinguish between utilized and non-utilized copies of the motif, by comparing their relative enrichment for histone modifications and chromosomal proteins mapped in the modENCODE project. Through a comparative analysis of the chromatin features in male S2 cells (which contain MSL complex) and female Kc cells (which lack the complex), we find that the presence of active chromatin modifications, together with an elevated local GC content in the surrounding sequences, has strong predictive value for functional MSL entry sites, independent of MSL binding. We tested these sites for function in Kc cells by RNAi knockdown of Sxl, resulting in induction of MSL complex. We show that ectopic MSL expression in Kc cells leads to H4K16 acetylation around these sites and a relative increase in X chromosome transcription. Collectively, our results support a model in which a pre-existing active chromatin environment, coincident with H3K36me3, contributes to MSL entry site selection. The consequences of MSL targeting of the male X chromosome include increase in nucleosome lability, enrichment for H4K16 acetylation and JIL-1 kinase, and depletion of linker histone H1 on active X-linked genes. Our analysis can serve as a model for identifying chromatin and local sequence features that may contribute to selection of functional protein binding sites in the genome.

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  • 30.
    Aleksandrova, Elena V.
    et al.
    Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Wu, Kelvin J. Y.
    Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, MA, Cambridge, United States.
    Tresco, Ben I. C.
    Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, MA, Cambridge, United States.
    Syroegin, Egor A.
    Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Killeavy, Erin E.
    Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, RI, Kingston, United States.
    Balasanyants, Samson M.
    Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Svetlov, Maxim S.
    Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States; Center for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Gregory, Steven T.
    Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, RI, Kingston, United States.
    Atkinson, Gemma C.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Myers, Andrew G.
    Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, MA, Cambridge, United States.
    Polikanov, Yury S.
    Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States; Center for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, Chicago, United States.
    Structural basis of Cfr-mediated antimicrobial resistance and mechanisms to evade it2024In: Nature Chemical Biology, ISSN 1552-4450, E-ISSN 1552-4469Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The bacterial ribosome is an essential drug target as many clinically important antibiotics bind and inhibit its functional centers. The catalytic peptidyl transferase center (PTC) is targeted by the broadest array of inhibitors belonging to several chemical classes. One of the most abundant and clinically prevalent resistance mechanisms to PTC-acting drugs in Gram-positive bacteria is C8-methylation of the universally conserved A2503 nucleobase by Cfr methylase in 23S ribosomal RNA. Despite its clinical importance, a sufficient understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Cfr-mediated resistance is currently lacking. Here, we report a set of high-resolution structures of the Cfr-modified 70S ribosome containing aminoacyl- and peptidyl-transfer RNAs. These structures reveal an allosteric rearrangement of nucleotide A2062 upon Cfr-mediated methylation of A2503 that likely contributes to the reduced potency of some PTC inhibitors. Additionally, we provide the structural bases behind two distinct mechanisms of engaging the Cfr-methylated ribosome by the antibiotics iboxamycin and tylosin. 

  • 31.
    Alenius, Mattias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Bohm, Staffan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Differential function of RNCAM isoforms in precise target selection of olfactory sensory neurons2003In: Development, ISSN 0950-1991, E-ISSN 1477-9129, Vol. 130, no 5, p. 917-927Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are individually specified to express one odorant receptor (OR) gene among similar to1000 different and project with precision to topographically defined convergence sites, the glomeruli, in the olfactory bulb. Although ORs partially determine the location of convergence sites, the mechanism ensuring that axons with different OR identities do not co-converge is unknown. RNCAM (OCAM, NCAM2) is assumed to regulate a broad zonal segregation of projections by virtue of being a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that is selectively expressed on axons terminating in a defined olfactory bulb region. We have identified NADPH diaphorase activity as being an independent marker for RNCAM-negative axons. Analyses of transgenic mice that ectopically express RNCAM in NADPH diaphorasepositive OSNs show that the postulated function of RNCAM in mediating zone-specific segregation of axons is unlikely. Instead, analyses of one OR-specific OSN subpopulation (P2) reveal that elevated RNCAM levels result in an increased number of P2 axons that incorrectly co-converge with axons of other OR identities. Both Gpianchored and transmembrane-bound RNCAM isoforms are localized on axons in the nerve layer, while the transmembrane-bound RNCAM is the predominant isoform on axon terminals within glomeruli. Overexpressing transmembrane-bound RNCAM results in co-convergence events close to the correct target glomeruli. By contrast, overexpression of Gpi-anchored RNCAM results in axons that can bypass the correct target before co-converging on glomeruli located at a distance. The phenotype specific for Gpi-anchored RNCAM is suppressed in mice overexpressing both isoforms, which suggests that two distinct RNCAM isoform-dependent activities influence segregation of OR-defined axon subclasses.

  • 32.
    Alenius, Mattias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University.
    Bohm, Staffan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Identification of a novel neural cell adhesion molecule-related gene with a potential role in selective axonal projection1997In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 272, no 42, p. 26083-26086Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We describe here the cloning of mouse complementary DNAs encoding a novel protein, Rb-8 neural cell adhesion molecule (RNCAM), with a predicted extracellular region of five immunoglobulin Ca-type domains followed by two fibronectin type III domains, Alternative splicing is likely to generate two RNCAM isoforms, which are differently attached to the cell membrane, These structural features and overall sequence identity identify this protein as a novel member of a cell adhesion molecule subgroup together with vertebrate neural cell adhesion molecule, Aplysia cell adhesion molecule, and Drosophila fasciclin II, In insects, fasciclin II is present on a restricted subset of embryonic central nervous system axons where it controls selective axon fasciculation. Intriguingly, RNCAM likewise is expressed in subsets of olfactory and vomeronasal neurons with topographically defined axonal projections, The spatial expression RNCAM corresponds precisely to that of certain odorant receptor expression zones of the olfactory epithelium. These expression patterns thus render RNCAM the first described cell adhesion molecule with a potential regulatory role in formation of selective axonal projections important for olfactory sensory information coding.

  • 33.
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of the production of non-canonical D-amino acids in bacteria2021Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Most bacteria possess a vital net-like macromolecule – peptidoglycan (PG). PG encases bacteria around the cytoplasmic membrane to withstand the high internal turgor pressure and thereby protect the cell from bursting. In addition, PG is a major morphological determinant of bacteria being both required and sufficient to maintain cell shape. During cell growth PG hydrolysis and synthesis are tightly controlled to keep proper cell shape and integrity at all times. Given the essentiality of PG for bacterial growth and survival, the synthesis of this polymer is a major target of many natural and synthetic antibiotics (e.g. penicillins, glycopeptides).

    For a long time, PG composition was considered to be conserved and static, however it’s now being recognized as a dynamic and plastic macromolecule. The structure and chemistry of PG is influenced by a myriad of environmental cues that include interkingdom/interspecies interactions. Recently, it was found that a wide set of non-canonical D-amino acids (D-amino acids different from D-Ala and D-Glu, NCDAAs) are produced and released to the extracellular milieu by diverse bacteria. In Vibrio cholerae these NCDAAs are produced by broad-spectrum racemase enzyme (BsrV) and negatively regulate PG synthesis through their incorporation into PG. We have shown that in addition to D-Met and D-Leu, which were reported previously, V. cholerae also releases high amounts of D-Arg, which inhibits a broader range of phylogenetically diverse bacteria. Thus, NCDAAs affect not only the producer, but might target other species within the same environmental niche. However, in contrast to D-Met, D-Arg targets cell wall independent pathways. 

    We have shown that non-proteinogenic amino acids also can be racemized by Bsr. A plant amino acid L-canavanine (L-CAN) is converted into D-CAN by a broad-spectrum amino acid racemase (BSAR) of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida and subsequently released to the environment. D-CAN gets highly incorporated into the PG of Rhizobiales (such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Sinorhizobium meliloti) thereby affecting the overall PG structure, bacterial morphogenesis and growth fitness. We found that detrimental effect of D-CAN in A. tumefaciens can be suppressed by a single amino acid substitution in the cell division PG transpeptidase penicillin-binding protein 3a (PBP3a). 

    Rhizobiales are a polar-growing species that encode multiple LD-transpeptidases (LDTs), enzymes that normally perform PG crosslinking, but that can also incorporate NCDAAs into termini of the PG peptides. As these species incorporate high amounts of D-CAN in their PG, we hypothesized that LDTs might represent the main path used by NCDAAs to edit A. tumefaciens’ PG and cause their detrimental effects. Therefore, we decided to further explore the significance of LDT proteins for growth and morphogenesis in A. tumefaciens. While in the Gram-negative model organism E. coli LDT proteins are non-essential under standard laboratory conditions, we found that A. tumefaciens needs at least one LDT for growth out of the 14 putative LDTs encoded in its genome. Moreover, clustering the LDT proteins based on their sequence similarity revealed that A. tumefaciens has 7 LDTs that are exclusively present among Rhizobiales. Interestingly, the loss of this group of LDTs (but not the rest) leads to reduced growth, lower PG crosslinkage and rounded cell phenotype, which suggests that this group of Rhizobiales- specific LDTs have a major role in maintaining LD-crosslinking homeostasis, which in turn is important for cell elongation and proper shape maintenance in A. tumefaciens.

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  • 34.
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Alvarez, Laura
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    New Insights Into the Mechanisms and Biological Roles of D-Amino Acids in Complex Eco-Systems2018In: Frontiers in Microbiology, E-ISSN 1664-302X, Vol. 9, article id 683Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In the environment bacteria share their habitat with a great diversity of organisms, from microbes to humans, animals and plants. In these complex communities, the production of extracellular effectors is a common strategy to control the biodiversity by interfering with the growth and/or viability of nearby microbes. One of such effectors relies on the production and release of extracellular D-amino acids which regulate diverse cellular processes such as cell wall biogenesis, biofilm integrity, and spore germination. Non-canonical D-amino acids are mainly produced by broad spectrum racemases (Bsr). Bsr's promiscuity allows it to generate high concentrations of D-amino acids in environments with variable compositions of L-amino acids. However, it was not clear until recent whether these molecules exhibit divergent functions. Here we review the distinctive biological roles of D-amino acids, their mechanisms of action and their modulatory properties of the biodiversity of complex eco-systems.

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  • 35.
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    LD-transpeptidases: the great unknown among the peptidoglycan cross-linkers2022In: The FEBS Journal, ISSN 1742-464X, E-ISSN 1742-4658, Vol. 289, no 16, p. 4718-4730Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall is an essential polymer for the shape and viability of bacteria. Its protective role is in great part provided by its mesh-like character. Therefore, PG-cross-linking enzymes like the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are among the best targets for antibiotics. However, while PBPs have been in the spotlight for more than 50 years, another class of PG-cross-linking enzymes called LD-transpeptidases (LDTs) seemed to contribute less to PG synthesis and, thus, has kept an aura of mystery. In the last years, a number of studies have associated LDTs with cell wall adaptation to stress including β-lactam antibiotics, outer membrane stability, and toxin delivery, which has shed light onto the biological meaning of these proteins. Furthermore, as some species display a great abundance of LD-cross-links in their cell wall, it has been hypothesized that LDTs could also be the main synthetic PG-transpeptidases in some bacteria. In this review, we introduce these enzymes and their role in PG biosynthesis and we highlight the most recent advances in understanding their biological role in diverse species.

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  • 36.
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Howell, Matthew
    Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Westminster College, Fulton, MO, USA.
    Brown, Pamela J. B.
    Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    D-canavanine affects peptidoglycan structure, morphogenesis and fitness in Rhizobiales2021In: Environmental Microbiology, ISSN 1462-2912, E-ISSN 1462-2920, Vol. 23, no 10, p. 5823-5836Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The bacterial cell wall is made of peptidoglycan (PG), a polymer that is essential for maintenance of cell shape and survival. Many bacteria alter their PG chemistry as a strategy to adapt their cell wall to external challenges. Therefore, identifying these environmental cues is important to better understand the interplay between microbes and their habitat. Here we used the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida to uncover cell wall modulators from plant extracts and found canavanine (CAN), a non-proteinogenic amino acid. We demonstrated that cell wall chemical editing by CAN is licensed by P. putida BSAR, a broad-spectrum racemase which catalyzes production of DL-CAN from L-CAN, which is produced by many legumes. Importantly, D-CAN diffuses to the extracellular milieu thereby having a potential impact on other organisms inhabiting the same niche. Our results show that D-CAN alters dramatically the PG structure of Rhizobiales (e.g. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Sinorhizobium meliloti), impairing PG crosslinkage and cell division. Using A. tumefaciens we demonstrated that the detrimental effect of D-CAN is suppressed by a single amino acid substitution in the cell division PG transpeptidase penicillin binding protein 3a. Collectively, this work highlights the role of amino acid racemization in cell wall chemical editing and fitness.

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  • 37.
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Schiffthaler, Bastian
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Physiology.
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Genetic dissection of LD-transpeptidation in Agrobacterium tumefaciensManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 38. Alitalo, Antti
    et al.
    Meri, Taru
    Comstedt, Pär
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Jeffery, Luke
    Tornberg, Johanna
    Strandin, Tomas
    Lankinen, Hilkka
    Bergström, Sven
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cinco, Marina
    Vuppala, Santosh R
    Akins, Darrin R
    Meri, Seppo
    Expression of complement factor H binding immunoevasion proteins in Borrelia garinii isolated from patients with neuroborreliosis.2005In: Eur J Immunol, ISSN 0014-2980, Vol. 35, no 10, p. 3043-3053Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Lyme disease-pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi binds the complement inhibitor factor H (FH) to its outer surface protein E- (OspE) and BbA68-families of lipoproteins. In earlier studies, only serum-resistant strains of the genospecies B. burgdorferi sensu stricto or B. afzelii, but not serum-sensitive B. garinii strains, have been shown to bind FH. Since B. garinii often causes neuroborreliosis in man, we have readdressed the interactions of B. garinii with FH. B. garinii 50/97 strain did not express FH-binding proteins. By transforming the B. garinii 50/97 strain with an OspE-encoding gene from complement-resistant B. burgdorferi (ospE-297), its resistance to serum killing could be increased. OspE genes were detected and cloned from the B. garinii BITS, Pistoia and 40/97 strains by PCR and sequencing. The deduced amino acid sequences differed in an N-terminal lysine-rich FH-binding region from OspE sequences of resistant strains. Recombinant B. garinii BITS OspE protein was found to have a considerably lower FH-binding activity than the B. burgdorferi sensu stricto 297 OspE protein P21 (P21-297). Unlike bacteria that had been kept in culture for a long time, neurovirulent B. garinii strains from neuroborreliosis patients were found to express approximately 27-kDa FH-binding proteins. These were not recognized by polyclonal anti-OspE or anti-BbA68 antibodies. We conclude that B. garinii strains carry ospE genes but have a decreased expression of OspE proteins and a reduced ability to bind FH, especially when grown for prolonged periods in vitro. Recently isolated neuroinvasive B. garinii strains, however, can express FH-binding proteins, which may contribute to the virulence of neuroborreliosis-causing B. garinii strains.

  • 39. Allas, Ular
    et al.
    Toom, Lauri
    Selyutina, Anastasia
    Maeorg, Uno
    Medina, Ricardo
    Merits, Andres
    Rinken, Ago
    Hauryliuk, Vasili
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). University of Tartu, Institute of Technology, Nooruse 1, Tartu 50411, Estonia.
    Kaldalu, Niilo
    Tenson, Tanel
    Antibacterial activity of the nitrovinylfuran G1 (Furvina) and its conversion products2016In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 6, article id 36844Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    2-Bromo-5-(2-bromo-2-nitrovinyl) furan (G1 or Furvina) is an antimicrobial with a direct reactivity against thiol groups. It is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. By reacting with thiol groups it causes direct damage to proteins but, as a result, is very short-living and interconverts into an array of reaction products. Our aim was to characterize thiol reactivity of G1 and its conversion products and establish how much of antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects are due to the primary activity of G1 and how much can be attributed to its reaction products. Stability of G1 in growth media as well as its conversion in the presence of thiols was characterized. The structures of G1 decomposition products were determined using NMR and mass-spectroscopy. Concentration-and time-dependent killing curves showed that G1 is bacteriostatic for Escherichia coli at the concentration of 16 mu g/ml and bactericidal at 32 mu g/ml. However, G1 is inefficient against non-growing E. coli. Addition of cysteine to medium reduces the antimicrobial potency of G1. Nevertheless, the reaction products of G1 and cysteine enabled prolonged antimicrobial action of the drug. Therefore, the activity of 2-bromo-5-(2-bromo-2-nitrovinyl) furan is a sum of its immediate reactivity and the antibacterial effects of the conversion products.

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  • 40. Allocca, Giancarlo
    et al.
    Ma, Sherie
    Martelli, Davide
    Cerri, Matteo
    Del Vecchio, Flavia
    Bastianini, Stefano
    Zoccoli, Giovanna
    Amici, Roberto
    Morairty, Stephen R.
    Aulsebrook, Anne E.
    Blackburn, Shaun
    Lesku, John A.
    Rattenborg, Niels C.
    Vyssotski, Alexei L.
    Wams, Emma
    Porcherer, Kate
    Wulff, Katharina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Sweden.
    Foster, Russell
    Chan, Julia K. M.
    Nicholas, Christian L.
    Freestone, Dean R.
    Johnston, Leigh A.
    Gundlachla, Andrew L.
    Validation of 'Somnivore', a Machine Learning Algorithm for Automated Scoring and Analysis of Polysomnography Data2019In: Frontiers in Neuroscience, ISSN 1662-4548, E-ISSN 1662-453X, Vol. 13, article id 207Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Manual scoring of polysomnography data is labor-intensive and time-consuming, and most existing software does not account for subjective differences and user variability. Therefore, we evaluated a supervised machine learning algorithm, Somnivore (TM), for automated wake-sleep stage classification. We designed an algorithm that extracts features from various input channels, following a brief session of manual scoring, and provides automated wake-sleep stage classification for each recording. For algorithm validation, polysomnography data was obtained from independent laboratories, and include normal, cognitively-impaired, and alcohol-treated human subjects (total n = 52), narcoleptic mice and drug-treated rats (total n = 56), and pigeons (n = 5). Training and testing sets for validation were previously scored manually by 1-2 trained sleep technologists from each laboratory. F-measure was used to assess precision and sensitivity for statistical analysis of classifier output and human scorer agreement. The algorithm gave high concordance with manual visual scoring across all human data (wake 0.91 +/- 0.01; N1 0.57 +/- 0.01; N2 0.81 +/- 0.01; N3 0.86 +/- 0.01; REM 0.87 +/- 0.01), which was comparable to manual inter-scorer agreement on all stages. Similarly, high concordance was observed across all rodent (wake 0.95 +/- 0.01; NREM 0.94 +/- 0.01; REM 0.91 +/- 0.01) and pigeon (wake 0.96 +/- 0.006; NREM 0.97 +/- 0.01; REM 0.86 +/- 0.02) data. Effects of classifier learning from single signal inputs, simple stage reclassification, automated removal of transition epochs, and training set size were also examined. In summary, we have developed a polysomnography analysis program for automated sleep-stage classification of data from diverse species. Somnivore enables flexible, accurate, and high-throughput analysis of experimental and clinical sleep studies.

  • 41.
    Almhawish, Naser
    et al.
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Karah, Nabil
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Elferruh, Yasir
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Aksh, Aya
    Assistance Coordination Unit, Gaziantep, Turkey.
    Abbara, Aula
    Department of Infection, Imperial College, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London, United Kingdom; Syria Public Health Network, London, United Kingdom.
    Protecting healthcare workers in conflict zones during the COVID-19 pandemic: Northwest Syria2021In: Journal of Infection, ISSN 0163-4453, E-ISSN 1532-2742, Vol. 82, no 5, p. 186-230Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 42.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Aliashkevich, Alena
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    de Pedro, Miguel A.
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Bacterial secretion of D-arginine controls environmental microbial biodiversity2018In: The ISME Journal, ISSN 1751-7362, E-ISSN 1751-7370, Vol. 12, no 2, p. 438-450Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bacteria face tough competition in polymicrobial communities. To persist in a specific niche, many species produce toxic extracellular effectors to interfere with the growth of nearby microbes. These effectors include the recently reported non-canonical D-amino acids (NCDAAs). In Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, NCDAAs control cell wall integrity in stationary phase. Here, an analysis of the composition of the extracellular medium of V. cholerae revealed the unprecedented presence of D-Arg. Compared with other D-amino acids, D-Arg displayed higher potency and broader toxicity in terms of the number of bacterial species affected. Tolerance to D-Arg was associated with mutations in the phosphate transport and chaperone systems, whereas D-Met lethality was suppressed by mutations in cell wall determinants. These observations suggest that NCDAAs target different cellular processes. Finally, even though virtually all Vibrio species are tolerant to D-Arg, only a few can produce this D-amino acid. Indeed, we demonstrate that D-Arg may function as part of a cooperative strategy in vibrio communities to protect non-producing members from competing bacteria. Because NCDAA production is widespread in bacteria, we anticipate that D-Arg is a relevant modulator of microbial subpopulations in diverse ecosystems.

  • 43.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Bacterial Competition Assay Based on Extracellular D-amino Acid Production2018In: Bio-protocol, E-ISSN 2331-8325, Vol. 8, no 7, article id e2787Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bacteria live in polymicrobial communities under tough competition. To persist in a specific niche many species produce toxic extracellular effectors as a strategy to interfere with the growth of nearby microbes. One of such effectors are the non-canonical D-amino acids. Here we describe a method to test the effect of D-amino acid production in fitness/survival of bacterial subpopulations within a community. Co-cultivation methods usually involve the growth of the competing bacteria in the same container. Therefore, within such mixed cultures the effect on growth caused by extracellular metabolites cannot be distinguished from direct physical interactions between species (e.g., T6SS effectors). However, this problem can be easily solved by using a filtration unit that allows free diffusion of small metabolites, like L- and D-amino acids, while keeping the different subpopulations in independent compartments. With this method, we have demonstrated that D-arginine is a bactericide effector produced by Vibrio cholerae, which strongly influences survival of diverse microbial subpopulations. Moreover, D-arginine can be used as a cooperative instrument in mixed Vibrio communities to protect non-producing members from competing bacteria.

  • 44.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cordier, Baptiste
    van Teeffelen, Sven
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Analysis of Gram-negative Bacteria Peptidoglycan by Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography2020In: Bio-protocol, E-ISSN 2331-8325, Vol. 10, no 19, article id e3780Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bacteria are surrounded by a protective peptidoglycan cell wall. Provided that this structure and the enzymes involved are the preferred target for our most successful antibiotics, determining its structural and chemical complexity is of the highest interest. Traditionally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses have been performed, but these methods are very time consuming in terms of sample preparation and chromatographic separation. Here we describe an optimized method for preparation of Gram-negative bacteria peptidoglycan and its subsequent analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The use of UPLC in peptidoglycan analyses provides a dramatic reduction of the sample volume and hands-on time required and, furthermore, permits in-line mass spectrometry (MS) of the UPLC resolved muropeptides, thus facilitating their identification. This method improves our capability to perform high throughput analysis to better understand the cell- wall biology.

  • 45.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Espaillat, Akbar
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Hermoso, Juan A.
    de Pedro, Miguel A.
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Peptidoglycan Remodeling by the Coordinated Action of Multispecific Enzymes2014In: Microbial Drug Resistance, ISSN 1076-6294, E-ISSN 1931-8448, Vol. 20, no 3, p. 190-198Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall constitutes the main defense barrier of bacteria against environmental insults and acts as communication interface. The biochemistry of this macromolecule has been well characterized throughout the years but recent discoveries have unveiled its chemical plasticity under environmental stresses. Non-canonical D-amino acids (NCDAA) are produced and released to the extracellular media by diverse bacteria. Such molecules govern cell wall adaptation to challenging environments through their incorporation into the polymer, a widespread capability among bacteria that reveals the inherent catalytic plasticity of the enzymes involved in the cell wall metabolism. Here, we analyze the recent structural and biochemical characterization of Bsr, a new family of broad spectrum racemases able to generate a wide range of NCDAA. We also discuss the necessity of a coordinated action of PG multispecific enzymes to generate adequate levels of modification in the murein sacculus. Finally, we also highlight how this catalytic plasticity of NCDAA-incorporating enzymes has allowed the development of new revolutionary methodologies for the study of PG modes of growth and in vivo dynamics.

  • 46.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Hernandez, Sara B.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Cell Wall Biology of Vibrio cholerae2021In: Annual Review of Microbiology, ISSN 0066-4227, E-ISSN 1545-3251, Vol. 75, p. 151-174Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Most bacteria are protected from environmental offenses by a cell wall consisting of strong yet elastic peptidoglycan. The cell wall is essential for preserving bacterial morphology and viability, and thus the enzymes involved in the production and turnover of peptidoglycan have become preferred targets for many of our most successful antibiotics. In the past decades, Vibrio cholerae, the gram-negative pathogen causing the diarrheal disease cholera, has become a major model for understanding cell wall genetics, biochemistry, and physiology. More than 100 articles have shed light on novel cell wall genetic determinants, regulatory links, and adaptive mechanisms. Here we provide the first comprehensive review of V. cholerae's cell wall biology and genetics. Special emphasis is placed on the similarities and differences with Escherichia coli, the paradigm for understanding cell wall metabolism and chemical structure in gram-negative bacteria.

  • 47.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Hernandez, Sara B
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    de Pedro, Miguel A
    Cava, Felipe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Ultra-sensitive, high-resolution liquid chromatography methods for the high-throughput quantitative analysis of bacterial cell wall chemistry and structure2016In: Bacterial cell wall homeostasis: methods and protocols /edited by Hee-Jeon Hong / [ed] Hee-Jeon Hong, New York: Humana Press, 2016, Vol. 1440, p. 11-27Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis has been critical for determining the structural and chemical complexity of the cell wall. However this method is very time consuming in terms of sample preparation and chromatographic separation. Here we describe (1) optimized methods for peptidoglycan isolation from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria that dramatically reduce the sample preparation time, and (2) the application of the fast and highly efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technology to muropeptide separation and quantification. The advances in both analytical instrumentation and stationary-phase chemistry have allowed for evolved protocols which cut run time from hours (2-3 h) to minutes (10-20 min), and sample demands by at least one order of magnitude. Furthermore, development of methods based on organic solvents permits in-line mass spectrometry (MS) of the UPLC-resolved muropeptides. Application of these technologies to high-throughput analysis will expedite the better understanding of the cell wall biology.

  • 48.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
    Quintáns, Nieves G.
    Blesa, Alba
    Baquedano, Ignacio
    Mencía, Mario
    Bricio, Carlos
    Berenguer, José
    Hierarchical control of nitrite respiration by transcription factors encoded within mobile gene clusters of Thermus thermophilus2017In: Genes, ISSN 2073-4425, E-ISSN 2073-4425, Vol. 8, no 12, article id 361Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Denitrification in Thermus thermophilus is encoded by the nitrate respiration conjugative element (NCE) and nitrite and nitric oxide respiration (nic) gene clusters. A tight coordination of each cluster's expression is required to maximize anaerobic growth, and to avoid toxicity by intermediates, especially nitric oxides (NO). Here, we study the control of the nitrite reductases (Nir) and NO reductases (Nor) upon horizontal acquisition of the NCE and nic clusters by a formerly aerobic host. Expression of the nic promoters PnirS, PnirJ, and PnorC, depends on the oxygen sensor DnrS and on the DnrT protein, both NCE-encoded. NsrR, a nic-encoded transcription factor with an iron-sulfur cluster, is also involved in Nir and Nor control. Deletion of nsrR decreased PnorC and PnirJ transcription, and activated PnirS under denitrification conditions, exhibiting a dual regulatory role never described before for members of the NsrR family. On the basis of these results, a regulatory hierarchy is proposed, in which under anoxia, there is a pre-activation of the nic promoters by DnrS and DnrT, and then NsrR leads to Nor induction and Nir repression, likely as a second stage of regulation that would require NO detection, thus avoiding accumulation of toxic levels of NO. The whole system appears to work in remarkable coordination to function only when the relevant nitrogen species are present inside the cell.

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  • 49.
    Alvarez, Laura
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
    Sanchez-Hevia, Dione
    Sanchez, Mercedes
    Berenguer, Jose
    A new family of nitrate/nitrite transporters involved in denitrification2019In: International Microbiology, ISSN 1139-6709, E-ISSN 1618-1905, Vol. 22, no 1, p. 19-28Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Denitrifying bacteria carry out nitrate and nitrite respiration inside and outside the cell, respectively. In Thermus thermophilus, nitrate and nitrite transport processes are carried out by major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters. The sequence of the nar operon of nitrate-only respiring strains of T. thermophilus includes two tandemly organized MFS transporter genes (narK and narT) of the NarK1 and NarK2 families. Both can function as nitrate/nitrite antiporters, but NarK has been proposed as more specific for nitrate whereas NarT more specific for nitrite. In some nitrate- and nitrite-respiring strains of the same species, a single MFS transporter (NarO) belonging to a different MFS subfamily appears. To analyze the role of this single MFS in the same genetic context, we transferred the two types of nar operon to the aerobic strain HB27, and further included in both of them the ability to respire nitrite. The new denitrifying strains HB27dn, with two MFS, and HB27dp, with a single one, were used to isolate mutants devoid of transporters. Through in trans complementation experiments, we demonstrate that the NarO single MFS works efficiently in the transport of both nitrate and nitrite.

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  • 50.
    Amer, Ayad
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Costa, Tiago
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Farag, Salah
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Avican, Ummehan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Forsberg, Åke
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Francis, Matthew
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Genetically engineered frameshifted YopN-TyeA chimeras influence type III secretion system function in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 10, article id e77767Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Type III secretion is a tightly controlled virulence mechanism utilized by many gram negative bacteria to colonize their eukaryotic hosts. To infect their host, human pathogenic Yersinia spp. translocate protein toxins into the host cell cytosol through a preassembled Ysc-Yop type III secretion device. Several of the Ysc-Yop components are known for their roles in controlling substrate secretion and translocation. Particularly important in this role is the YopN and TyeA heterodimer. In this study, we confirm that Y. pseudotuberculosis naturally produce a 42 kDa YopN-TyeA hybrid protein as a result of a +1 frame shift near the 3 prime of yopN mRNA, as has been previously reported for the closely related Y. pestis. To assess the biological role of this YopN-TyeA hybrid in T3SS by Y. pseudotuberculosis, we used in cis site-directed mutagenesis to engineer bacteria to either produce predominately the YopN-TyeA hybrid by introducing +1 frame shifts to yopN after codon 278 or 287, or to produce only singular YopN and TyeA polypeptides by introducing yopN sequence from Y. enterocolitica, which is known not to produce the hybrid. Significantly, the engineered 42 kDa YopN-TyeA fusions were abundantly produced, stable, and were efficiently secreted by bacteria in vitro. Moreover, these bacteria could all maintain functionally competent needle structures and controlled Yops secretion in vitro. In the presence of host cells however, bacteria producing the most genetically altered hybrids (+1 frameshift after 278 codon) had diminished control of polarized Yop translocation. This corresponded to significant attenuation in competitive survival assays in orally infected mice, although not at all to the same extent as Yersinia lacking both YopN and TyeA proteins. Based on these studies with engineered polypeptides, most likely a naturally occurring YopN-TyeA hybrid protein has the potential to influence T3S control and activity when produced during Yersinia-host cell contact.

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