Crystal structure of the Legionella pneumophila lem10 effector reveals a new member of the HD protein superfamily

Legionella pneumophila, the intracellular pathogen that can cause severe pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease, translocates close to 300 effectors inside the host cell using Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system. The structure and function for the majority of these effector proteins remains unknown. Here, we present the crystal structure of the L. pneumophila effector Lem10. The structure reveals a multidomain organization with the largest C‐terminal domain showing strong structural similarity to the HD protein superfamily representatives. However, Lem10 lacks the catalytic His‐Asp residue pair and does not show any in vitro phosphohydrolase enzymatic activity, typical for HD proteins. While the biological function of Lem10 remains elusive, our analysis shows that similar distinct features are shared by a significant number of HD domains found in Legionella proteins, including the SidE family of effectors known to play an important role during infection. Taken together our data point to the presence of a specific group of non‐catalytic Legionella HD domains, dubbed LHDs, which are involved in pathogenesis. Proteins 2015; 83:2319–2325. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

鲍曼不动杆菌整合子介导耐药机制的初步研究

【摘 要】 目的 研究整合子参与鲍曼不动杆菌耐药的分子机制。结果 收集2008年1月至2011年12月瑞安市中医院临床分离的200株鲍曼不动杆菌,采用K-B法进行体外药敏试验,采用聚合酶链式反应进行整合子整合酶基因的检测;整合子可变区扩增、克隆、测序,分析整合子基因结构。结果 59.0%的医院感染鲍曼不动杆菌Ⅰ类整合子阳性,未检测出Ⅱ、Ⅲ类整合子;编码对氨基糖苷类、磺胺类抗菌药物和氯霉素耐药的基因;整合子阳性组多药耐药菌均明显高于阴性组。结论 Ⅰ类整合子在医院感染鲍曼不动杆菌中广泛分布,可通过质粒在不同菌属间水平传播,在耐药基因传播中起重要作用,应引起临床足够的重视。     

鲍曼不动杆菌感染的分布特点及药敏分析

目的了解鲍曼不动杆菌感染分布情况及对20种抗生素耐药性分析。方法送检标本按照《全国临床检验操作规程》（第2版）微生物方法操作,用Vitek—Systems ATB法国生物,梅里埃微生物分析仪,并结合传统手工非发酵微量生化管编码补充试验进行菌种鉴定;药敏试验采用K—B琼脂纸片扩散法及法国梅里埃ATB试条。结果112株鲍曼不动杆菌中有93株（83％）来自于上呼吸道（痰液及咽拭子）：药敏结果显示鲍曼不动杆菌对氨基糖苷类（阿米卡星、庆大霉索）,喹诺酮类（环丙沙星）,碳青酶烯类（亚胺培南）具有较高的敏感率。对β-呐酰胺类抗生素有较高的耐药性,在检测的112株鲍曼不动杆菌中,多重耐药菌株占54．5％（61／112）,三重耐药株占14．8％,而在这些多重耐药菌株中,大于三重耐药的菌株就占到69％。结论鲍曼不动杆菌对抗菌药物已产生多重耐药性,应重视该菌感染及耐药性监测,阻止多重耐药菌株的播散,预防医院感染的发生。     

The structural comparison between membrane‐associated human carbonic anhydrases provides insights into drug design of selective inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrase isoform XIV (CA XIV) is the last member of the human (h) CA family discovered so far, being localized in brain, kidneys, colon, small intestine, urinary bladder, liver, and spinal cord. It has recently been described as a possible drug target for treatment of epilepsy, some retinopathies as well as some skin tumors. Human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) XIV is a membrane‐associated protein consisting of an N‐terminal extracellular domain, a putative transmembrane region, and a small cytoplasmic tail. In this article, we report the expression, purification, and the crystallographic structure of the entire extracellular domain of this enzyme. The analysis of the structure revealed the typical α‐CA fold, in which a 10‐stranded β‐sheet forms the core of the molecule, while the comparison with all the other membrane associated isoforms (hCAs IV, IX, and XII) allowed to identify the diverse oligomeric arrangement and the sequence and structural differences observed in the region 127–136 as the main factors to consider in the design of selective inhibitors for each one of the membrane associated α‐CAs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 769–778, 2014.     

鲍曼不动杆菌的临床分布特点及耐药性分析

调查鲍曼不动杆菌的临床分布及其对抗菌药物的耐药情况,为临床合理用药提供依据。将哈尔滨医科大学第一附属医院临床各种来源的鲍曼不动杆菌1582株采用K-B法进行药敏试验,并对结果进行统计分析。2008至2010年共检出鲍曼不动杆菌1582株,临床分布以ICU最多(484株,占54.5%)。对抗菌药物的耐药率逐年增高,ICU抗菌药物的耐药率明显高于非ICU病区。该菌株对临床常用抗菌药物高度耐药和多重耐药,对亚胺培南和美罗培南耐药率高达90.9%和90.3%。鲍曼不动杆菌耐药情况相对严重,临床须重视鲍曼不动杆菌的感染,加强院內感染的控制及耐药性的监测,根据药敏结果选择合适抗生素,延缓耐药性进程。     

Emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a tertiary care hospital in Turkey

An intensive care unit (ICU)-based OXA-23-producing multiple-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) outbreak was detected between October 2005 and October 2006. A total of 47 patients were infected/colonized with the outbreak strain. Clinical data were available from 37 patients. The all-cause mortality rate among the patients exposed to the epidemic strain was 35% (13/37). The outbreak strain and the resistance determinants were characterized both by microbiological methods and by molecular techniques. Cloning and sequencing experiments identified ISAbaI-associated bla(oxa-23) on the chromosome. Screening of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter isolated from the ICU during the outbreak period with PCR identified 97 isolates as positive for the ISAbaI-bla(oxa-23) structure. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and plasmid analyses with selected nonrepetitive isolates revealed the clonality. Disk diffusion on cloxacillin-supplemented agar media and the real-time PCR experiments showed that outbreak isolates are overexpressing the ampC enzyme. This study highlights the occurrence of OXA-23-producing and ampC-overexpressing MDRAB in ICUs.     

Ultrahigh resolution drug design I: details of interactions in human aldose reductase-inhibitor complex at 0.66 A

The first subatomic resolution structure of a 36 kDa protein [aldose reductase (AR)] is presented. AR was cocrystallized at pH 5.0 with its cofactor NADP+ and inhibitor IDD 594, a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of diabetic complications. X-ray diffraction data were collected up to 0.62 A resolution and treated up to 0.66 A resolution. Anisotropic refinement followed by a blocked matrix inversion produced low standard deviations (<0.005 A). The model was very well ordered overall (CA atoms' mean B factor is 5.5 A2). The model and the electron-density maps revealed fine features, such as H-atoms, bond densities, and significant deviations from standard stereochemistry. Other features, such as networks of hydrogen bonds (H bonds), a large number of multiple conformations, and solvent structure were also better defined. Most of the atoms in the active site region were extremely well ordered (mean B approximately 3 A2), leading to the identification of the protonation states of the residues involved in catalysis. The electrostatic interactions of the inhibitor's charged carboxylate head with the catalytic residues and the charged coenzyme NADP+ explained the inhibitor's noncompetitive character. Furthermore, a short contact involving the IDD 594 bromine atom explained the selectivity profile of the inhibitor, important feature to avoid toxic effects. The presented structure and the details revealed are instrumental for better understanding of the inhibition mechanism of AR by IDD 594, and hence, for the rational drug design of future inhibitors. This work demonstrates the capabilities of subatomic resolution experiments and stimulates further developments of methods allowing the use of the full potential of these experiments.     

Structural genomics for drug design against the pathogen Coxiella burnetii

Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious bacterium and potential agent of bioterrorism. However, it has not been studied as extensively as other biological agents, and very few of its proteins have been structurally characterized. To address this situation, we undertook a study of critical metabolic enzymes in C. burnetii that have great potential as drug targets. We used high‐throughput techniques to produce novel crystal structures of 48 of these proteins. We selected one protein, C. burnetii dihydrofolate reductase (CbDHFR), for additional work to demonstrate the value of these structures for structure‐based drug design. This enzyme's structure reveals a feature in the substrate binding groove that is different between CbDHFR and human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR). We then identified a compound by in silico screening that exploits this binding groove difference, and demonstrated that this compound inhibits CbDHFR with at least 25‐fold greater potency than hDHFR. Since this binding groove feature is shared by many other prokaryotes, the compound identified could form the basis of a novel antibacterial agent effective against a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria. Proteins 2015; 83:2124–2136. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

亚胺培南耐药鲍曼不动杆菌医院获得性肺炎的危险因素及耐药性分析

【摘 要】 目的 探讨浙江大学附属第一医院亚胺培南耐药鲍曼不动杆菌（IRAB）引起医院获得性肺炎（HAP）的危险因素及预后,并了解该院IRAB的耐药情况。方法 回顾性分析该院2011年1月至2012年12月收治的201例鲍曼不动杆菌医院获得性肺炎患者的临床资料,其中IRAB组155例,亚胺培南敏感（ISAB）组46例,两组间采取单因素分析及多因素Logistic回归分析,分析IRAB HAP发生的危险因素,并分析IRAB对其他16种抗菌药物的耐药情况,比较两组患者30天病死率。结果 单因素分析发现：入住ICU、昏迷、气管插管/切开、机械通气、留置胃管、糖皮质激素使用≥1周、2种及以上抗生素联用、分离出AB前28天内碳青霉烯类抗生素使用、低白蛋白血症、入院时APACHE II评分≥20分与IRAB HAP发生显著相关,多因素Logistic回归分析发现：分离出AB前28天内碳青霉烯类抗生素使用、入院时APACHE II评分≥20分是IRAB HAP发生的独立危险因素;而IRAB仅对阿米卡星耐药率较低（38.7%）,对头孢哌酮舒巴坦耐药率高达64.5%,且对比ISAB,IRAB对大部分抗菌药物耐药率均明显上升,IRAB组患者死亡率明显上升。结论 分离出AB前28天内碳青霉烯类抗生素使用、入院时APACHE II评分≥20分是IRAB HAP发生的危险因素,IRAB耐药情况极其严重,均为多重耐药菌株,IRAB HAP患者预后差,死亡率高。     

肺部感染患者分离的鲍氏不动杆菌的耐药性分析

了解本院肺部感染患者分离的鲍氏不动杆菌的耐药性。分析了自2007—2008年本院肺部感染患者分离的鲍氏不动杆菌的耐药性资料。2a间本院从肺部感染患者的痰标本中共分离到鲍氏不动杆菌124株,80％以上来源于ICU及神经内、外科,这些分离株对阿米卡星、环丙沙星及头孢他啶等抗生素高度耐药,对头孢吡肟仍保持较高敏感,尚未发现对亚胺培南及美洛培南的耐药株。临床医生要重视病原学监测,合理使用抗生素,避免耐药茵株的产生和流行。     

ICU鲍曼不动杆菌感染特点及耐药趋势

目的探讨武义县第一人民医院中心ICU鲍曼不动杆菌（AB）感染特点及耐药情况。方法回顾分析2010年1月至2013年12月该院中心ICU患者分离获得的AB分布、耐药特点及临床患者资料。结果该院ICU共分离获得AB菌343株,主要来源于痰液（占67.35%）,其次是创面分泌物（占11.08%）。AB对常用头孢类、碳青霉烯类、氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类等药物耐药率高达50%以上,而对多粘菌素E、头孢哌酮/舒巴坦保持敏感性,但后两者的耐药性呈逐年上升趋势。泛耐药（PDR）AB患者血清白蛋白水平明显减低,机械通气时间、抗菌药物应有时间、ICU住院时间明显延长,死亡率增高（P〈0.05）。结论 ICU获得性AB耐药率极高,仅对多粘菌素E、头孢哌酮/舒巴坦具有相对敏感性。白蛋白水平、机械通气时间、应用抗菌药物时间、ICU住院时间等可能与PDRAB感染有关。     

Structural characterization of a new N‐substituted pantothenamide bound to pantothenate kinases from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus

Pantothenate kinase (PanK) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in Coenzyme A biosynthesis, catalyzing the ATP‐dependent phosphorylation of pantothenate. We solved the co‐crystal structures of PanKs from Staphylococcus aureus (SaPanK) and Klebsiella pneumonia (KpPanK) with N‐[2‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)ethyl] pantothenamide (N354‐Pan). Two different N354‐Pan conformers interact with polar/nonpolar mixed residues in SaPanK and aromatic residues in KpPanK. Additionally, phosphorylated N354‐Pan is found at the closed active site of SaPanK but not at the open active site of KpPanK, suggesting an exchange of the phosphorylated product with a new N354‐Pan only in KpPanK. Together, pantothenamides conformational flexibility and binding pocket are two key considerations for selective compound design. Proteins 2014; 82:1542–1548. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

鲍曼不动杆菌感染分布及耐药性动态变迁

目的了解鲍曼不动杆菌对多种抗菌药物耐药性的动态变迁以及感染病例分布情况,为临床治疗鲍曼不动杆菌提供参与。方法 2007年1月至2009年12月从患者不同标本分离的鲍曼不动杆菌（ATB Expression细菌鉴定系统鉴定到种）,采用CLSI/NCCLS标准K-B法对临床常用抗菌药物进行耐药性分析。结果鲍曼不动杆菌2007年至2009年检出率分别为6.5%、8.9%和17.6%;标本主要来源于痰（78.4%）,病区集中于中心ICU（33.3%）、呼吸内科（22.8%）和消化内科（13.0%）;该菌耐药现象严重,除亚胺培南、美罗培南和头孢哌酮/舒巴坦保持较高的敏感性,其他药物耐药性均〉60%,而且耐药性逐年上升。结论鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药问题日趋严重,加强其耐药性监测可指导临床治疗,为临床提供最新的流行病学和耐药性变迁资料;泛耐药菌株感染主要发生在长期应用抗菌药物及长时间住院的患者,因而应加强医院环境和人员消毒,控制鲍曼不动杆菌在医院内的定值与播散。 更多还原     

Characterization of a highly virulent and antimicrobial‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain isolated from diseased chicks in China

Poultry husbandry is a very important aspect of the agricultural economy in China. However, chicks are often susceptible to infectious disease microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, causing large economic losses in recent years. In the present study, we isolated an Acinetobacter baumannii strain, CCGGD201101, from diseased chicks in the Jilin Province of China. Regression analyses of virulence and LD₅₀ tests conducted using healthy chicks confirmed that A. baumannii CCGGD201101, with an LD₅₀ of 1.81 (±0.11) × 10⁴ CFU, was more virulent than A. baumannii ATCC17978, with an LD₅₀ of 1.73 (±0.13) × 10⁷ CFU. Moreover, TEM examination showed that the pili of A. baumannii CCGGD201101 were different from those of ATCC17978. Antibiotic sensitivity analyses showed that A. baumannii CCGGD201101 was sensitive to rifampicin but resistant to most other antibiotics. These results imply that A. baumannii strain CCGGD201101 had both virulence enhancement and antibiotic resistance characteristics, which are beneficial for A. baumannii survival under adverse conditions and enhance fitness and invasiveness in the host. A. baumannii CCGGD20101, with its high virulence and antimicrobial resistance, may be one of the pathogens causing death of diseased chicks.     

金属离子铁和锌对鲍曼不动杆菌的抗菌作用机制研究进展

由于抗菌药物的开发周期越来越长,远远赶不上细菌耐药的发展速度,临床鲍曼不动杆菌多重耐药与泛耐药现象日益严重。因此,人们越来越关注对抗菌药物以外的抗菌物质的开发,尤其是从生存条件方面来研究抑制耐药菌活性的方法,如金、银、铜等金属离子对鲍曼不动杆菌的作用。本文主要综述铁、锌等金属离子及其螯合物对鲍曼不动杆菌的抗菌作用。铁、锌等金属离子通过与一系列酶的协同作用,调控外排泵或影响生物膜形成及其黏附性等来抑制细菌生长。此外,一些非必需金属如金、银、钯等对鲍曼不动杆菌也具有很强的毒性,有良好的抗菌和降低耐药率的效果,可作为医疗留置器械的抗菌涂层等来预防感染。     

不同海拔地区同级别医院鲍曼不动杆菌的分布与 耐药性的连续对比性分析

目的连续对比分析不同海拔地区同级别医院非鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药性,寻找不同海拔对鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药性的影响并指导合理应用抗生素。方法回顾分析2011-2013年两家不同海拔地区同级别医院临床分离的鲍曼不动杆菌药敏结果。结果 2011年至2013年,低海拔地区医院鲍曼不动杆菌检出率为12.66%、17.01%、15.33%。高海拔的地区院鲍曼不动杆菌检出率为0.24%、1.50%、1.44%。低海拔地区医院鲍曼不动杆菌仅对美满环素仍保持较高的敏感率;除头孢哌酮/舒巴坦外,对多数常用药物耐药率均高于70%。而且保持稳定。高海拔的地区院鲍曼不动杆菌对常用抗生素的耐药率逐年下降,庆大霉素、左旋氧氟沙星、亚胺培南、头孢哌酮、头孢他啶的敏感率近两年均在60%以上。结论低海拔地区医院鲍曼不动杆菌检出率高,常用抗生素耐药率高。高海拔的地区院鲍曼不动杆菌检出率低,常用抗生素敏感率高。环境因素对微生态具有重要的影响作用。     

A Multidisciplinary Approach toward Identification of Antibiotic Scaffolds for Acinetobacter baumannii

1. Download high-res image (121KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Determining the molecular mechanism of inactivation by chemical modification of triosephosphate isomerase from the human parasite Giardia lamblia: a study for antiparasitic drug design

Giardiasis, the most prevalent intestinal parasitosis in humans, is caused by Giardia lamblia. Current drug therapies have adverse effects on the host, and resistant strains against these drugs have been reported, demonstrating an urgent need to design more specific antigiardiasic drugs. ATP production in G. lamblia depends mainly on glycolysis; therefore, all enzymes of this pathway have been proposed as potential drug targets. We previously demonstrated that the glycolytic enzyme triosephosphate isomerase from G. lamblia (GlTIM), could be completely inactivated by low micromolar concentrations of thiol-reactive compounds, whereas, in the same conditions, the activity of human TIM (HuTIM) was almost unaltered. We found that the chemical modification (derivatization) of at least one Cys, of the five Cys residues per monomer in GlTIM, causes this inactivation. In this study, structural and functional studies were performed to describe the molecular mechanism of GlTIM inactivation by thiol-reactive compounds. We found that the Cys222 derivatization is responsible for GlTIM inactivation; this information is relevant because HuTIM has a Cys residue in an equivalent position (Cys217). GlTIM inactivation is associated with a decrease in ligand affinity, which affects the entropic component of ligand binding. In summary, this work describes a mechanism of inactivation that has not been previously reported for TIMs from other parasites and furthermore, we show that the difference in reactivity between the Cys222 in GlTIM and the Cys217 in HuTIM, indicates that the surrounding environment of each Cys residue has unique structural differences that can be exploited to design specific antigiardiasic drugs.