Heterologous expression of bacteriocin E-760 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and functional analysis

The use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) synthesized by bacteria (bacteriocins) is an alternative for combating multidrug resistant bacterial strains and their production by recombinant route is a viable option for their mass production. The bacteriocin E-760 isolated from the genus Enterococcus sp. has been shown to possess inhibitory activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, the expression of a chimeric protein coding for E-760 in the nucleus of C. reinhardtii was evaluated, as well as, its antibacterial activity. The synthetic gene E-760S was inserted into the genome of C. reinhardtii using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A transgenic line was identified in TAP medium with hygromycin and also by PCR. The increment in the culture medium temperature of the transgenic strain at 35 °C for 10 minutes, increased the production level of the recombinant protein from 0.14 (Noninduced culture, NIC) to 0.36% (Induced culture, IC) of total soluble proteins (TSP); this was quantified by an ELISA assay. Recombinant E-760 possesses activity against Staphylococcus aureus in 0.34 U log, Streptococcus agalactiae in 0.48 U log, Enterococcus faecium in 0.36 U log, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2 U log and for Klebsiella pneumoniae, the activity was 0.07 U log. These results demonstrate that the nucleus transformation of C. reinhardtii can function as a stable expression platform for the production of the synthetic gene E-760 and it can potentially be used as an antibacterial agent.     

Characterization of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonas vaginalis</Emphasis> surface-associated AP65 and binding domain interacting with trichomonads and host cells

Background  

AP65 is a prominent adhesin of Trichomonas vaginalis that mediates binding of parasites to host vaginal epithelial cells (VECs). AP65 with no secretion signal sequence, membrane targeting peptide, and anchoring motif was recently found to be secreted.     

Imagerie et bilan d'une infertilité masculine

A male cause is responsible in near 50% of infertilities. The radiologist takes place in a multidisciplinary management, after clinical and biological screening, which distinguishes:

- excretory infertilities, of which some causes are curable. Transrectal sonography (TRUS) and scrotal sonography are the first tests. In case of epididymal obstacle, scrotal abnormalities may correspond to constitutional or acquired causes; TRUS is normal. TRUS usually identifies congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens; without renal agenesia, a genital form of cystic fibrosis must be evocated. In case of distal obstacles, TRUS may be completed with MRI, especially in case of voluminous cystic tumors. Vasography, which directly shows was deferens patency, is required to accurately diagnose obstruction when ultrasound is not conclusive; vasography must be integrated in a surgical strategy.

- secretory azoospermies, from gonadic or hypothalamo-hypophyseal causes. Scrotal sonography may complete clinical examination. When hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis must be explored, MRI is the reference test.

- oligo-astheno-teratospermies, where infertilities are often mixed, with various male factors.

Three groups must be explored: hyperprolactinemies (MRI); chronic genital infection (ultrasound); varicoceles; Doppler color ultrasound may help to the detection; spermatic phlebography produce a pretherapeutic cartography, and may be the first step of a percutaneous sclerotherapy.     

SKPDB: a structural database of shikimate pathway enzymes

Background  

The functional and structural characterisation of enzymes that belong to microbial metabolic pathways is very important for structure-based drug design. The main interest in studying shikimate pathway enzymes involves the fact that they are essential for bacteria but do not occur in humans, making them selective targets for design of drugs that do not directly impact humans.     

Genetic identity and differential gene expression between Trichomonas vaginalis and Trichomonas tenax

Background  

Trichomonas vaginalis is a human urogenital pathogen responsible for trichomonosis, the number-one, non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) worldwide, while T. tenax is a commensal of the human oral cavity, found particularly in patients with poor oral hygiene and advanced periodontal disease. The extent of genetic identity between T. vaginalis and its oral commensal counterpart is unknown.