Assessing the Conformational Changes of pb5, the Receptor-binding Protein of Phage T5, upon Binding to Its Escherichia coli Receptor FhuA

Within tailed bacteriophages, interaction of the receptor-binding protein (RBP) with the target cell triggers viral DNA ejection into the host cytoplasm. In the case of phage T5, the RBP pb5 and the receptor FhuA, an outer membrane protein of Escherichia coli, have been identified. Here, we use small angle neutron scattering and electron microscopy to investigate the FhuA-pb5 complex. Specific deuteration of one of the partners allows the complete masking in small angle neutron scattering of the surfactant and unlabeled proteins when the complex is solubilized in the fluorinated surfactant F₆-DigluM. Thus, individual structures within a membrane protein complex can be described. The solution structure of FhuA agrees with its crystal structure; that of pb5 shows an elongated shape. Neither displays significant conformational changes upon interaction. The mechanism of signal transduction within phage T5 thus appears different from that of phages binding cell wall saccharides, for which structural information is available.     

Getting to the guts of the matter: The status and potential of ‘omics’ research of parasitic protists of the human gastrointestinal system

Parasitic protists are a major cause of diarrhoeal illnesses in humans globally. Collectively, enteric pathogens exceed all other forms of infectious disease, in terms of their estimated global prevalence and socioeconomic impact. They have a disproportionately high impact on children in impoverished communities, leading to acute (diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and death) and chronic disease (malabsorption, malnutrition, physical and cognitive stunting and predisposition to chronic, non-communicable disease) consequences. However, historically, investment in research and disease control measures has been disproportionately poor, leading to their current classification as neglected pathogens. A sound understanding of their biology is essential in underpinning detection, treatment and control efforts. One major tool in rapidly improving our knowledge of these parasites is the use of biological systems, including ‘omic’ technologies. In recent years, these tools have shown significant success when applied to enteric protists. This review summarises much of this knowledge and highlights the significant remaining knowledge gaps. A major focus of the present review was to provide a perspective on a way forward to address these gaps using advanced biotechnologies.     

In vitro antiviral activity of phlorotannins isolated from Ecklonia cava against porcine epidemic diarrhea coronavirus infection and hemagglutination

Despite the prepdominat agent causing severe entero-pathogenic diarrhea in swine, there are no effective therapeutical treatment of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of five phlorotannins isolated from Ecklonia cava (E. cava) against PEDV. In vitro antiviral activity was tested using two different assay strategies: (1) blockage of the binding of virus to cells (simultaneous-treatment assay) and (2) inhibition of viral replication (post-treatment assay). In simultaneous-treatment assay, compounds 2–5 except compound 1 exhibited antiviral activities of a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) with the ranging from 10.8 ± 1.4 to 22.5 ± 2.2 μM against PEDV. Compounds 1–5 were completely blocked binding of viral spike protein to sialic acids at less than 36.6 μM concentrations by hemagglutination inhibition. Moreover, compounds 4 and 5 of five phlorotannins inhibited viral replication with IC₅₀ values of 12.2 ± 2.8 and 14.6 ± 1.3 μM in the post-treatment assay, respectively. During virus replication steps, compounds 4 and 5 exhibited stronger inhibition of viral RNA and viral protein synthesis in late stages (18 and 24 h) than in early stages (6 and 12 h). Interestingly, compounds 4 and 5 inhibited both viral entry by hemagglutination inhibition and viral replication by inhibition of viral RNA and viral protein synthesis, but not viral protease. These results suggest that compounds isolated from E. cava have strong antiviral activity against PEDV, inhibiting viral entry and/or viral replication, and may be developed into natural therapeutic drugs against coronavirus infection.     

AM真菌在植物病虫害生物防治中的作用机制

丛枝菌根(Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,AM)真菌是一类广泛分布于土壤生态系统中的有益微生物,能与大约80%的陆生高等植物形成共生体。由土传病原物侵染引起的土传病害被植物病理学界认定为最难防治的病害之一。研究表明,AM真菌能够拮抗由真菌、线虫、细菌等病原体引起的土传性植物病害,诱导宿主植物增强对病虫害的耐/抗病性。当前,利用AM真菌开展病虫害的生物防治已经引起生态学家和植物病理学家的广泛关注。基于此,围绕AM真菌在植物病虫害生物防治中的最新研究进展,从AM真菌改变植物根系形态结构、调节次生代谢产物的合成、改善植物根际微环境、与病原微生物直接竞争入侵位点和营养分配、诱导植株体内抗病防御体系的形成等角度,探究AM真菌在植物病虫害防治中的作用机理,以期为利用AM真菌开展植物病虫害的生物防治提供理论依据,并对本领域未来的发展方向和应用前景进行展望。     

百色市1～6岁儿童乙肝疫苗接种后免疫水平状况分析

掌握百色市乙型肝炎疫苗纳入儿童免疫规划后的免疫效果,客观评价免疫规划工作现状。方法按现况研究原理,全市12个县(区),每个县(区)各抽取150名儿童,每个县在东、西、南、北、中五个方位随机抽取5个行政村,每个行政村抽取6个年龄组(1～6岁儿童),每个年龄组抽取5名常住儿童(当地居住三个月以上),收集血清样本进行乙肝病毒感染相关标志表面抗原及抗体检测。结果全市共调查1～6岁儿童1 809名儿童,乙肝表面抗原携带率为0.66%,低于2006年全国调查的1～4岁人群乙肝表面抗原携带率(0.96%),达到中国《2006—2010年全国乙型病毒性肝炎防治规划》提出的5岁以下儿童乙肝表面抗原携带率<1%的控制目标要求;1～6岁儿童乙肝表面抗体阳性率为77.77%,高于2006年全国调查的1～4岁人群乙肝抗体阳性率(71.24%)。结论百色市自2003年将乙肝疫苗纳入免疫规划管理后,乙肝免疫效果显著,乙肝病毒表面抗原阳性率大幅度下降,婴幼儿体内保护性抗体水平也高于全国水平。加强对孕产妇住院分娩率和婴幼儿乙肝疫苗接种工作,尤其是乙肝疫苗首针及时接种是今后乙肝预防控制的重点。     

Biologically inspired strategy for programmed assembly of viral building blocks with controlled dimensions

Facile fabrication of building blocks with precisely controlled dimensions is imperative in the development of functional devices and materials. We demonstrate the assembly of nanoscale viral building blocks of controlled lengths using a biologically motivated strategy. To achieve this we exploit the simple self-assembly mechanism of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), whose length is solely governed by the length of its genomic mRNA. We synthesize viral mRNA of desired lengths using simple molecular biology techniques, and in vitro assemble the mRNA with viral coat proteins to yield viral building blocks of controlled lengths. The results indicate that the assembly of the viral building blocks is consistent and reproducible, and can be readily extended to assemble building blocks with genetically modified coat proteins (TMV1cys). Additionally, we confirm the potential utility of the TMV1cys viral building blocks with controlled dimensions via covalent and quantitative conjugation of fluorescent markers. We envision that our biologically inspired assembly strategy to design and construct viral building blocks of controlled dimensions could be employed to fabricate well-controlled nanoarchitectures and hybrid nanomaterials for a wide variety of applications including nanoelectronics and nanocatalysis.     

一株寒地高效解无机磷细菌的分离鉴定及拮抗作用

【目的】从北方寒地种植的不同农作物根际土壤中分离高效解磷的细菌,为微生物制剂和磷肥的开发提供适于本地区的优良菌种。【方法】通过初筛和复筛从26株解磷菌中筛选获得一株高效解磷细菌,对其进行生理生化和分子生物学鉴定,同时采用钼蓝比色法测定解磷能力。采用平板对峙法测定拮抗植物病原菌能力。【结果】通过筛选后获得的菌株B51-7经鉴定为伯克霍尔德菌属。菌株在发酵液中可溶性磷含量最高达到832.74 mg/L,同时具有很强的广谱抑菌作用,抑菌率最高为89.71%,可以显著促进水稻生长。【结论】菌株B51-7是一株具有生物防治作用的高效解磷细菌,可应用于生物菌肥和生防制剂中。     

Laboratory rearing of solitary bees and wasps

Ecological experiments often require standardized methods that exclude natural variation and allow manipulation of a single parameter. It has been shown that domesticated honey bee larvae are raisable in a controlled environment. Here we demonstrate that this approach is also transferable to wild solitary bees and wasps without inducing negative effects on their development. Wells may also be supplemented with the antibiotic substance oxytetracycline to control the presence of bacteria. The method thus provides a useful tool to investigate offspring recruitment and larval development in solitary bees and wasps, plus their responses to manipulation of factors as for example diets, toxins and microbiota.     

Phylogenetic congruence between subtropical trees and their associated fungi

Recent studies have detected phylogenetic signals in pathogen–host networks for both soil‐borne and leaf‐infecting fungi, suggesting that pathogenic fungi may track or coevolve with their preferred hosts. However, a phylogenetically concordant relationship between multiple hosts and multiple fungi in has rarely been investigated. Using next‐generation high‐throughput DNA sequencing techniques, we analyzed fungal taxa associated with diseased leaves, rotten seeds, and infected seedlings of subtropical trees. We compared the topologies of the phylogenetic trees of the soil and foliar fungi based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region with the phylogeny of host tree species based on matK, rbcL, atpB, and 5.8S genes. We identified 37 foliar and 103 soil pathogenic fungi belonging to the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota phyla and detected significantly nonrandom host–fungus combinations, which clustered on both the fungus phylogeny and the host phylogeny. The explicit evidence of congruent phylogenies between tree hosts and their potential fungal pathogens suggests either diffuse coevolution among the plant–fungal interaction networks or that the distribution of fungal species tracked spatially associated hosts with phylogenetically conserved traits and habitat preferences. Phylogenetic conservatism in plant–fungal interactions within a local community promotes host and parasite specificity, which is integral to the important role of fungi in promoting species coexistence and maintaining biodiversity of forest communities.