bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curli Temper Adherence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Squamous Epithelial Cells from the Bovine Recto-Anal Junction in a Strain-Dependent Manner
Authors: Kudva Indira T. , Carter Michelle Q. , Sharma Vijay K. , Stasko Judith A. , Giron Jorge A. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Our recent studies have shown that intimin and the locus of enterocyte effacement-encoded proteins do not play a role in
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 (O157) adherence to the bovine recto-anal junction squamous epithelial (RSE) cells. To define factors that play a contributory role, we investigated the role of curli, fimbrial adhesins commonly implicated in adherence to various fomites and plant and human epithelial cells, in O157 adherence to RSE cells. Specifically, we examined (i) wild-type strains of O157; (ii) curli variants of O157 strains; (iii) isogenic curli deletion mutants of O157; and (iv) adherence inhibition of O157 using anti-curlin sera. Results of these experiments conducted under stringent conditions suggest that curli do not solely contribute to O157 adherence to RSE cells and in fact demonstrate a modulating effect on O157 adherence to RSE cells in contrast to HEp-2 cells (
h
uman
ep
idermoid carcinoma of the larynx cells with HeLa contamination). The absence of curli and presence of blocking anti-curli antibodies enhanced O157-RSE cell interactions among some strains, thus alluding to a spatial, tempering effect of curli on O157 adherence to RSE cells when present. At the same time, the presence or absence of curli did not alter RSE cell adherence patterns of another O157 strain. These observations are at variance with the reported role of curli in O157 adherence to human cell lines such as HEp-2 and need to be factored in when developing anti-adherence modalities for preharvest control of O157 in cattle.

IMPORTANCE
This study demonstrated that O157 strains interact with epithelial cells in a host-specific manner. The fimbriae/adhesins that are significant for adherence to human cell lines may not have a role or may have a modulating role in O157 adherence to bovine cells. Targeting such adhesins may not prevent O157 attachment to bovine cells but instead may result in improved adherence. Hence, conducting host-specific evaluations is critical when selecting targets for O157 control strategies.
Use of a Toxin Neutralization Assay To Characterize the Serologic Response to Adenylate Cyclase Toxin after Infection with Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Eby Joshua C. , Gray Mary C. , Warfel Jason M. , Merkel Tod J. , Hewlett Erik L. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) is an essential virulence factor of
Bordetella pertussis
, and antibodies to ACT protect against
B. pertussis
infection in mice. The toxin is therefore a strong candidate antigen for addition to future acellular pertussis vaccines. In order to characterize the functionality of the immunologic response to ACT after infection, we developed an assay for testing the ability of serum samples from subjects infected with
B. pertussis
to neutralize ACT-induced cytotoxicity in J774 macrophage cells. Baboons develop neutralizing anti-ACT antibodies following infection with
B. pertussis
, and all sera from baboons with positive anti-ACT IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results neutralized ACT cytotoxicity. The toxin neutralization assay (TNA) was positive in some baboon sera in which ELISA remained negative. Of serum samples obtained from humans diagnosed with pertussis by PCR, anti-ACT IgG ELISA was positive in 72%, and TNA was positive in 83%. All samples positive for anti-ACT IgG ELISA were positive by TNA, and none of the samples from humans without pertussis neutralized toxin activity. These findings indicate that antibodies to ACT generated following infection with
B. pertussis
consistently neutralize toxin-induced cytotoxicity and that TNA can be used to improve understanding of the immunologic response to ACT after infection or vaccination.
Taxonomic Changes and Additions for Human and Animal Viruses, 2012 to 2015
Authors: Loeffelholz Michael J. , Fenwick Bradley W. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
Taxonomical classification of newly discovered viruses and reclassification of previously discovered viruses provide an important foundation for detailing biological differences of scientific and clinical interest. The development of molecular analytical methods has enabled finer levels and more precise levels of classification. Periodically, there is need to refresh the literature and common understanding of current taxonomic classification, which we attempt to do here in addressing changes in human and animal viruses of medical significance between 2012 and 2015.
Clinical Microbiology Laboratories' Adoption of Culture-Independent Diagnostic Tests Is a Threat to Foodborne-Disease Surveillance in the United States
Authors: Shea Shari , Kubota Kristy A. , Maguire Hugh , Gladbach Stephen , Woron Amy , Atkinson-Dunn Robyn , Couturier Marc Roger , Miller Melissa B. , Shea Shari , Kubota Kristy A. , Maguire Hugh , Gladbach Stephen , Woron Amy , Couturier Marc Roger , Miller Melissa B. , Gilligan Peter H. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

In November 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent a letter to state and territorial epidemiologists, state and territorial public health laboratory directors, and state and territorial health officials. In this letter, culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) for detection of enteric pathogens were characterized as “a serious and current threat to public health surveillance, particularly for Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) and
Salmonella
.” The document says CDC and its public health partners are approaching this issue, in part, by “reviewing regulatory authority in public health agencies to require culture isolates or specimen submission if CIDTs are used.” Large-scale foodborne outbreaks are a continuing threat to public health, and tracking these outbreaks is an important tool in shortening them and developing strategies to prevent them. It is clear that the use of CIDTs for enteric pathogen detection, including both antigen detection and multiplex nucleic acid amplification techniques, is becoming more widespread. Furthermore, some clinical microbiology laboratories will resist the mandate to require submission of culture isolates, since it will likely not improve patient outcomes but may add significant costs. Specimen submission would be less expensive and time-consuming for clinical laboratories; however, this approach would be burdensome for public health laboratories, since those laboratories would need to perform culture isolation prior to typing. Shari Shea and Kristy Kubota from the Association of Public Health Laboratories, along with state public health laboratory officials from Colorado, Missouri, Tennessee, and Utah, will explain the public health laboratories' perspective on why having access to isolates of enteric pathogens is essential for public health surveillance, detection, and tracking of outbreaks and offer potential workable solutions which will allow them to do this. Marc Couturier of ARUP Laboratories and Melissa Miller of the University of North Carolina will explain the advantages of CIDTs for enteric pathogens and discuss practical solutions for clinical microbiology laboratories to address these public health needs.
Rapid Detection and Identification of Candidemia by Direct Blood Culturing on Solid Medium by Use of Lysis-Centrifugation Method Combined with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
Authors: Idelevich Evgeny A. , Grünastel Barbara , Becker Karsten 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Candida
sepsis is a life-threatening condition with increasing prevalence. In this study, direct blood culturing on solid medium using a lysis-centrifugation procedure enabled successful
Candida
species identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time of flight mass spectrometry on average 3.8 h (Sabouraud agar) or 7.4 h (chocolate agar) before the positivity signal for control samples in Bactec mycosis-IC/F or Bactec Plus aerobic/F bottles, respectively. Direct culturing on solid medium accelerated candidemia diagnostics compared to that with automated broth-based systems.
Nonstructural Protein NSs of Schmallenberg Virus Is Targeted to the Nucleolus and Induces Nucleolar Disorganization
Authors: Gouzil Julie , Fablet Aurore , Lara Estelle , Caignard Grégory , Cochet Marielle , Kundlacz Cindy , Palmarini Massimo , Varela Mariana , Breard Emmanuel , Sailleau Corinne , Viarouge Cyril , Coulpier Muriel , Zientara Stéphan , Vitour Damien 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was discovered in Germany in late 2011 and then spread rapidly to many European countries. SBV is an orthobunyavirus that causes abortion and congenital abnormalities in ruminants. A virus-encoded nonstructural protein, termed NSs, is a major virulence factor of SBV, and it is known to promote the degradation of Rpb1, a subunit of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) complex, and therefore hampers global cellular transcription. In this study, we found that NSs is mainly localized in the nucleus of infected cells and specifically appears to target the nucleolus through a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) localized between residues 33 and 51 of the protein. NSs colocalizes with nucleolar markers such as B23 (nucleophosmin) and fibrillarin. We observed that in SBV-infected cells, B23 undergoes a nucleolus-to-nucleoplasm redistribution, evocative of virus-induced nucleolar disruption. In contrast, the nucleolar pattern of B23 was unchanged upon infection with an SBV recombinant mutant with NSs lacking the NoLS motif (SBVΔNoLS). Interestingly, unlike wild-type SBV, the inhibitory activity of SBVΔNoLS toward RNA Pol II transcription is impaired. Overall, our results suggest that a putative link exists between NSs-induced nucleolar disruption and its inhibitory function on cellular transcription, which consequently precludes the cellular antiviral response and/or induces cell death.

IMPORTANCE
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is an emerging arbovirus of ruminants that spread in Europe between 2011 and 2013. SBV induces fetal abnormalities during gestation, with the central nervous system being one of the most affected organs. The virus-encoded NSs protein acts as a virulence factor by impairing host cell transcription. Here, we show that NSs contains a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) and induces disorganization of the nucleolus. The NoLS motif in the SBV NSs is absolutely necessary for virus-induced inhibition of cellular transcription. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nucleolar functions for NSs within the
Bunyaviridae
family.
Importance of Highly Conserved Peptide Sites of Human Cytomegalovirus gO for Formation of the gH/gL/gO Complex
Authors: Stegmann Cora , Abdellatif Mohamed E. A. , Laib Sampaio Kerstin , Walther Paul , Sinzger Christian 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
The glycoprotein O (gO) is betaherpesvirus specific. Together with the viral glycoproteins H and L, gO forms a covalent trimeric complex that is part of the viral envelope. This trimer is crucial for cell-free infectivity of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) but dispensable for cell-associated spread. We hypothesized that the amino acids that are conserved among gOs of different cytomegaloviruses are important for the formation of the trimeric complex and hence for efficient virus spread. In a mutational approach, nine peptide sites, containing all 13 highly conserved amino acids, were analyzed in the context of HCMV strain TB40-BAC4 with regard to infection efficiency and formation of the gH/gL/gO complex. Mutation of amino acids (aa) 181 to 186 or aa 193 to 198 resulted in the loss of the trimer and a complete small-plaque phenotype, whereas mutation of aa 108 or aa 249 to 254 caused an intermediate phenotype. While individual mutations of the five conserved cysteines had little impact, their relevance was revealed in a combined mutation, which abrogated both complex formation and cell-free infectivity. C343 was unique, as it was sufficient and necessary for covalent binding of gO to gH/gL. Remarkably, however, C218 together with C167 rescued infectivity in the absence of detectable covalent complex formation. We conclude that all highly conserved amino acids contribute to the function of gO to some extent but that aa 181 to 198 and cysteines 343, 218, and 167 are particularly relevant. Surprisingly, covalent binding of gO to gH/gL is required neither for its incorporation into virions nor for proper function in cell-free infection.

IMPORTANCE
Like all herpesviruses, the widespread human pathogen HCMV depends on glycoproteins gB, gH, and gL for entry into target cells. Additionally, gH and gL have to bind gO in a trimeric complex for efficient cell-free infection. Homologs of gO are shared by all cytomegaloviruses, with 13 amino acids being highly conserved. In a mutational approach we analyzed these amino acids to elucidate their role in the function of gO. All conserved amino acids contributed either to formation of the trimeric complex or to cell-free infection. Notably, these two phenotypes were not inevitably linked as the mutation of a charged cluster in the center of gO abrogated cell-free infection while trimeric complexes were still being formed. Cysteine 343 was essential for covalent binding of gO to gH/gL; however, noncovalent complex formation in the absence of cysteine 343 also allowed for cell-free infectivity.
The Potyvirus Silencing Suppressor Protein VPg Mediates Degradation of SGS3 via Ubiquitination and Autophagy Pathways
Authors: Cheng Xiaofei , Wang Aiming 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

RNA silencing is an innate antiviral immunity response of plants and animals. To counteract this host immune response, viruses have evolved an effective strategy to protect themselves by the expression of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). Most potyviruses encode two VSRs, helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) and viral genome-linked protein (VPg). The molecular biology of the former has been well characterized, whereas how VPg exerts its function in the suppression of RNA silencing is yet to be understood. In this study, we show that infection by
Turnip mosaic virus
(TuMV) causes reduced levels of suppressor of gene silencing 3 (SGS3), a key component of the RNA silencing pathway that functions in double-stranded RNA synthesis for virus-derived small interfering RNA (vsiRNA) production. We also demonstrate that among 11 TuMV-encoded viral proteins, VPg is the only one that interacts with SGS3. We furthermore present evidence that the expression of VPg alone, independent of viral infection, is sufficient to induce the degradation of SGS3 and its intimate partner RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6). Moreover, we discover that the VPg-mediated degradation of SGS3 occurs via both the 20S ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy pathways. Taken together, our data suggest a role for VPg-mediated degradation of SGS3 in suppression of silencing by VPg.

IMPORTANCE
Potyviruses represent the largest group of known plant viruses and cause significant losses of many agriculturally important crops in the world. In order to establish infection, potyviruses must overcome the host antiviral silencing response. A viral protein called VPg has been shown to play a role in this process, but how it works is unclear. In this paper, we found that the VPg protein of
Turnip mosaic virus
(TuMV), which is a potyvirus, interacts with a host protein named SGS3, a key protein in the RNA silencing pathway. Moreover, this interaction leads to the degradation of SGS3 and its interacting and functional partner RDR6, which is another essential component of the RNA silencing pathway. We also identified the cellular pathways that are recruited for the VPg-mediated degradation of SGS3. Therefore, this work reveals a possible mechanism by which VPg sabotages host antiviral RNA silencing to promote virus infection.
Efficient Transformation of Primary Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by Adenovirus Early Region 1 Oncogenes
Authors: Speiseder Thomas , Hofmann-Sieber Helga , Rodríguez Estefanía , Schellenberg Anna , Akyüz Nuray , Dierlamm Judith , Spruss Thilo , Lange Claudia , Dobner Thomas 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT
Previous observations that human amniotic fluid cells (AFC) can be transformed by human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5) E1A/E1B oncogenes prompted us to identify the target cells in the AFC population that are susceptible to transformation. Our results demonstrate that one cell type corresponding to mesenchymal stem/stroma cells (hMSCs) can be reproducibly transformed by HAdV-5 E1A/E1B oncogenes as efficiently as primary rodent cultures. HAdV-5 E1-transformed hMSCs exhibit all properties commonly associated with a high grade of oncogenic transformation, including enhanced cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, increased growth rate, and high telomerase activity as well as numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations. These data confirm previous work showing that HAdV preferentially transforms cells of mesenchymal origin in rodents. More importantly, they demonstrate for the first time that human cells with stem cell characteristics can be completely transformed by HAdV oncogenes in tissue culture with high efficiency. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that undifferentiated progenitor cells or cells with stem cell-like properties are highly susceptible targets for HAdV-mediated cell transformation and suggest that virus-associated tumors in humans may originate, at least in part, from infections of these cell types. We expect that primary hMSCs will replace the primary rodent cultures in HAdV viral transformation studies and are confident that these investigations will continue to uncover general principles of viral oncogenesis that can be extended to human DNA tumor viruses as well.

IMPORTANCE
It is generally believed that transformation of primary human cells with HAdV-5 E1 oncogenes is very inefficient. However, a few cell lines have been successfully transformed with HAdV-5 E1A and E1B, indicating that there is a certain cell type which is susceptible to HAdV-mediated transformation. Interestingly, all those cell lines have been derived from human embryonic tissue, albeit the exact cell type is not known yet. We show for the first time the successful transformation of primary human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) by HAdV-5 E1A and E1B. Further, we show upon HAdV-5 E1A and E1B expression that these primary progenitor cells exhibit features of tumor cells and can no longer be differentiated into the adipogenic, chondrogenic, or osteogenic lineage. Hence, primary hMSCs represent a robust and novel model system to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of adenovirus-mediated transformation of multipotent human progenitor cells.
Mycosins Are Required for the Stabilization of the ESX-1 and ESX-5 Type VII Secretion Membrane Complexes
Authors: van Winden Vincent J. C. , Ummels Roy , Piersma Sander R. , Jiménez Connie R. , Korotkov Konstantin V. , Bitter Wilbert , Houben Edith N. G. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Pathogenic mycobacteria contain up to five type VII secretion (T7S) systems, ESX-1 to ESX-5. One of the conserved T7S components is the serine protease mycosin (MycP). Strikingly, whereas MycP is essential for secretion, the protease activity of MycP
1
in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
has been shown to be dispensable for secretion. The essential role of MycP therefore remains unclear. Here we show that MycP
1
and MycP
5
of
M. marinum
have similar phenotypes, confirming that MycP has a second unknown function that is essential for its T7S system. To investigate whether this role is related to proper functioning of the T7S membrane complex, we first analyzed the composition of the ESX-1 membrane complex and showed that this complex consists of EccBCDE
1
, similarly to what was previously shown for ESX-5. Surprisingly, while mycosins are not an integral part of these purified core complexes, we noticed that the stability of both the ESX-1 complex and the ESX-5 complex is compromised in the absence of their MycP subunit. Additional interaction studies showed that, although mycosins are not part of the central ESX membrane complex, they loosely associate with this complex. We hypothesize that this MycP association with the core membrane complex is crucial for the integrity and functioning of the T7S machinery.

IMPORTANCE
Among the major virulence factors of pathogenic mycobacteria are the type VII secretion (T7S) systems. Three of these systems, ESX-1, ESX-3, and ESX-5, have been shown to be crucial for virulence or viability. Here we describe the function of mycosin proteases, which are conserved components within these systems. We show that MycP
1
and MycP
5
have a second, proteolytic-independent function which is essential for the T7S system. We additionally found that this second essential role is related to the stabilization and proper functioning of their respective ESX membrane core complexes. Finally, we found that this is mediated by a loose association of MycP with the complex. Understanding the essential role of mycosins in type VII secretion systems, which play central roles in the virulence and viability of pathogenic mycobacteria, may provide new intervention strategies to treat tuberculosis.
Exported Epoxide Hydrolases Modulate Erythrocyte Vasoactive Lipids during Plasmodium falciparum Infection
Authors: Spillman Natalie J. , Dalmia Varun K. , Goldberg Daniel E. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

Erythrocytes are reservoirs of important epoxide-containing lipid signaling molecules, including epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). EETs function as vasodilators and anti-inflammatory modulators in the bloodstream. Bioactive EETs are hydrolyzed to less active diols (dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids) by epoxide hydrolases (EHs). The malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
infects host red blood cells (RBCs) and exports hundreds of proteins into the RBC compartment. In this study, we show that two parasite epoxide hydrolases,
P. falciparum
epoxide hydrolases 1 (PfEH1) and 2 (PfEH2), both with noncanonical serine nucleophiles, are exported to the periphery of infected RBCs. PfEH1 and PfEH2 were successfully expressed in
Escherichia coli
, and they hydrolyzed physiologically relevant erythrocyte EETs. Mutations in active site residues of PfEH1 ablated the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyze an epoxide substrate. Overexpression of PfEH1 or PfEH2 in parasite-infected RBCs resulted in a significant alteration in the epoxide fatty acids stored in RBC phospholipids. We hypothesize that the parasite disruption of epoxide-containing signaling lipids leads to perturbed vascular function, creating favorable conditions for binding and sequestration of infected RBCs to the microvascular endothelium.

IMPORTANCE
The malaria parasite exports hundreds of proteins into the erythrocyte compartment. However, for most of these proteins, their physiological function is unknown. In this study, we investigate two “hypothetical” proteins of the α/β-hydrolase fold family that share sequence similarity with epoxide hydrolases (EHs)—enzymes that destroy bioactive epoxides. Altering EH expression in parasite-infected erythrocytes resulted in a significant change in the epoxide fatty acids stored in the host cell. We propose that these EH enzymes may help the parasite to manipulate host blood vessel opening and inflame the vessel walls as they pass through the circulation system. Understanding how the malaria parasite interacts with its host RBCs will aid in our ability to combat this deadly disease.