Mutations in VMK1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase gene, affect microsclerotia formation and pathogenicity in Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium dahliae is an important soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes vascular wilt diseases in a large variety of important crop plants. Due to its persistence in the soil, control of Verticillium wilt relies heavily on soil fumigation. The global ban on methyl bromide, a highly effective soil fumigant, poses an urgent need to develop alternative control measures against Verticillium wilt; and these might be more forthcoming with a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin the pathogenicity of V. dahliae. In this study, we assessed the role in growth, development, and pathogenicity of VMK1, a gene encoding a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (hence, Verticillium MAP Kinase 1). Disruption of VMK1 via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, in two V. dahliae isolates, one from lettuce and the other from tomato, resulted in severely reduced virulence in diverse host plants, suggesting that VMK1 is essential for pathogenicity and that the MAP kinase-mediated signaling pathway has a conserved role in fungal pathogenicity. The vmk1 mutants also exhibited reduced conidiation and microsclerotia formation, suggesting that the gene is important for multiple cellular processes. P.R. and R.G.B. equally contributed to the work     

Study on pathogenic genes of dwarfism disease by next-generation sequencing

BACKGROUNDThere are many factors that lead to dwarfism, and the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Next-generation sequencing may identify candidate-related gene mutations, which may clarify the molecular cause.AIMTo analyze genetic variation by using a constructed panel related to dwarfism by utilizing next-generation sequencing platform sequencing analysis to screen candidate-related gene mutations.METHODSPhysical and laboratory characteristics, including clinical examination, growth hormone drug challenge test, serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein 3, other related tests, imaging examination, and chromosome karyotyping, were analyzed. Next-generation sequencing was performed to analyze pathogenicity variability.RESULTSIn the 39 dwarfism patients, 10 had pathogenicity variability. Gene variation was found in the OBSL1, SLC26A2, PTPN11, COL27AI, HDAC6, CUL7, FGFR3, DYNC2H1, GH1, and ATP7B genes. Of the 10 patients with pathogenicity variability, the related physical characteristics included double breast development and growth hormone deficiency, enuresis and indirect inguinal hernia on the left, two finger distance of 70.2 cm, head circumference of 49.2 cm, ischium/lower body length of 1.8 cm, weak limb muscles, and partial growth hormone deficiency. After 6 mo of growth hormone therapy, the concentrations of IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 increased from 215.2 ± 170.3 to 285.0 ± 166.0 and 3.9 ± 1.4 to 4.2 ± 1.1, respectively.CONCLUSIONOBSL1, SLC26A2, PTPN11, COL27AI, HDAC6, CUL7, FGFR3, DYNC2H1, GH1, and ATP7B genes may be related to the incidence of dwarfism, and more research needs to be performed to elucidate the mechanism.     

Elucidation of the functional role of flagella in virulence and ecological traits of Pseudomonas cichorii using flagella absence (ΔfliJ) and deficiency (ΔfliI) mutants

Understanding the infection mechanisms of pathogens will lead to better management of the associated diseases. The flagella of these pathogens play significant roles not only in bacterial motility, but also in virulence. In the present study, two genes involved in flagella construction, fliJ and fliI of Pseudomonas cichorii, were analyzed. The results revealed that these genes are vital for flagella formation and play significant roles not only in motility, but also in virulence. When we inoculated host plants with fliI- and fliJ-defective mutants (ΔfliJ and ΔfliI) through the dipping method, the degree of disease severity caused by both mutants was significantly reduced compared to those of the wild-type. However, the virulence of ΔfliI was stronger than that of ΔfliJ. Electron microscope observation, and swarming and leaf attachment assays indicated a reduced number of flagella in ΔfliI, but not complete absence, because of the presence of another copy of fliI. Furthermore, a vacuum infiltration assay revealed that flagella are indispensable in the pre- and post-penetration stages for complete virulence. Overall, we created semi-defective (ΔfliI) and completely defective (ΔfliJ) mutants and elucidated the fact that flagella play significant roles in virulence of the pathogen at different stages of the infection process.     

中国台湾孔头舌虫新种的发现及其致病特征

目的?摇探讨中国台湾孔头舌虫新种(Porocephalus taiwana sp. nov.)的形态与致病特征及新病种的病原学诊断方法。 方法 用患者稀便用粪便沉淀浓集法收集粪中若虫鉴定虫种，并结合临床资料作统计分析，以确定此新种所致疾病的临床特征。 结果 发现了舌形虫病的一种致病新种，即为台湾孔头舌虫，其所致的疾病称台湾孔头舌虫病。根据本例的发现，提出传统的内脏舌形虫病可分为2个亚型，成囊亚型和脱囊亚型。根据其病理学特征，本病例属于脱囊型内脏舌形虫病。 结论 描述了台湾孔头舌虫新种，其所致的台湾孔头舌虫病属于一种新型脱囊亚型性内脏舌形虫病。     

Adaptive mutations in the H5N1 polymerase complex

Adaptation of the viral polymerase to host factors plays an important role in interspecies transmission of H5N1 viruses. Several adaptive mutations have been identified that, in general, determine not only host range, but also pathogenicity and transmissibility of the virus. The available evidence indicates that most of these mutations are found in the PB2 subunit of the polymerase. Particularly prominent mutations are located in the C-terminal domain of PB2 involving the amino acid exchanges E627K and D701N. Both mutations, that are also responsible for the adaptation of other avian viruses to mammalian hosts, have been described in human H5N1 isolates. In animal models, it could be demonstrated that they enhance pathogenicity in mice and induce contact transmission in guinea pigs. Mutation E627K has also been identified as a determinant of air-borne H5N1 transmission in ferrets. We are only beginning to understand the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level. Thus, mutation D701N promotes importin-α mediated nuclear transport in mammalian cells. Mutation E627K also enhances the replication rate in an importin-α dependent fashion in mammalian cells, yet without affecting nuclear entry of PB2. Numerous other adaptive mutations, some of which compensate for the lack of PB2 E627K, have been observed in PB2 as well as in the polymerase subunit PB1, the nucleoprotein NP, and the nuclear export protein NEP (NS2).     

Single-cell approaches to investigate B cells and antibodies in autoimmune neurological disorders

Autoimmune neurological disorders, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, anti-MOG antibody-associated disorders, and myasthenia gravis, are clearly defined by the presence of autoantibodies against neurological antigens. Although these autoantibodies have been heavily studied for their biological activities, given the heterogeneity of polyclonal patient samples, the characteristics of a single antibody cannot be definitively assigned. This review details the findings of polyclonal serum and CSF studies and then explores the advances made by single-cell technologies to the field of antibody-mediated neurological disorders. High-resolution single-cell methods have revealed abnormalities in the tolerance mechanisms of several disorders and provided further insight into the B cells responsible for autoantibody production. Ultimately, several factors, including epitope specificity and binding affinity, finely regulate the pathogenic potential of an autoantibody, and a deeper appreciation of these factors may progress the development of targeted immunotherapies for patients.     

烟曲霉致病相关因子的研究进展

毒力因子是在病原体适应生存环境的过程中产生.烟曲霉毒力是多因素相关的,包括微小的孢子结构使之能够吸入到达宿主的肺泡,耐热特征,疏水性,快速的繁殖速度以及抵抗氧化应激反应的能力.此外,烟曲霉适应环境及代谢相关的蛋白、通路信号分子、脂类代谢产物、毒素等均可看作毒力因子.     

Lactobacillus fermentum,a pathogen in documented cholecystitis

INTRODUCTIONLactobacillus species are probiotics proven to exhibit various preventative as well as therapeutic properties. While lactobacillus species have been implicated in the formation of dental caries, endocarditis and bacteremia, their role as pathogens in cholecystitis has not been reported. We present a rare case of Lactobacillus fermentum working as a pathogen in cholecystitis.PRESENTATION OF CASEAn 81-year old male was admitted with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. His signs, symptoms, laboratory values and imaging were consistent with a diagnosis of cholecystitis with ascending cholangitis. In view of his co-morbidity and severe sepsis, the patient was treated non-operatively with antibiotics and cholecystostomy. L. fermentum, which was vancomycin resistant, was identified from the cholecystostomy aspirate and from anaerobic blood culture. The patient went into septic shock, developed multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and eventually died.DISCUSSIONCommensal bacteria such as L. fermentum are known to modulate immunity, reduce the pathogenicity of gastrointestinal organisms and play a therapeutic role in various disease processes. We isolated L. fermentum as a pathogen in a documented case of cholecystitis with ascending cholangitis.CONCLUSIONWhile the routine use lactobacillus species as a probiotic is supported in the literature, understanding its potential role as a pathogen may allow more judicious use of these bacteria and encourage research to elucidate the pathogenicity of lactobacillus species.     

5种食源性致病微生物毒力基因重组质粒的构建、克隆表达与表达产物的研究

目的构建大肠杆菌O157∶H7、副溶血性弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、沙门氏菌和志贺氏菌5种主要食源性致病微生物毒力基因重组质粒载体并鉴定其表达产物,为探讨高通量磁性荧光纳米颗粒标记相应的抗体技术快速检测带毒力基因的致病微生物的可行性奠定基础。方法分别从5种食源性致病微生物毒力岛中选择特异性的毒力基因进行引物设计,分别提取5种目的细菌DNA片段,经PCR扩增、电泳回收目的基因片段,将目的基因片段与原核表达载体pET-23a、pET-28a、pET-32a构建各自的重组质粒,将重组质粒转化入大肠杆菌DH5α内并提取质粒载体,构建后的重组质粒进行酶切和测序鉴定,再转化入表达宿主E·coliBL21（DE3）。在0.1 mmol/L的IPTG诱导下,目的质粒载体在E·coliBL21（DE3）株中表达,SDS-PAGE电泳检测表达蛋白。结果实验成功构建大肠杆菌O157∶H7、副溶血性弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、沙门氏菌和志贺氏菌等细菌的毒力基因重组质粒载体pET-23a-eaeA、pET-28a-tdh、pET-28a-enterotoxin B、pET-32a-invA和pET-28a-ipaH,并克隆出969 bp的eaeA基因片段、567 bp的tdh基因片段、798 bp的enterotoxin B基因片段、1 041 bp的invA基因片段和771 bp的ipaH基因片段。重组质粒载体经酶切和测序与目标基因序列一致。在E·coliBL21（DE3）株中有质粒表达蛋白37.5 kDa（eaeA）、26 kDa（tdh）、34.5 kDa（enterotoxin B）、41 kDa（invA）、32 kDa（ipaH）。结论本研究成功构建了5种食源性致病微生物毒力基因重组质粒并在原核细胞中高效表达,为下一步获得相应的毒力基因抗体及快速诊断试剂的研制应用奠定了基础。     

利用DNA序列对错义突变的致病性进行预测

错义突变的致病性预测在基因组学和临床研究中有重要作用,其中基于计算方法的预测工具已经取得较大进展。现有的工具大多根据功能影响、保守性来对错义突变的致病性进行预测,从DNA序列出发进行错义突变致病性预测的工具较少。随着自然语言处理技术在多个生物序列领域的迁移学习和应用,将DNA序列作为一种生物语言进行处理并进行基因突变的致病性预测越来越值得探索。该文提出了一个基于预训练的自然语言模型DNABert和DNA突变序列对错义突变致病性进行预测的深度学习模型MissenseBert,并且在多个数据集上对MissenseBert进行了训练和测试,测试结果说明MissenseBert取得了较好的预测效果,证明了利用DNA序列预测错义突变的致病性具有可行性。