RESUMEN
In this narrative medicine essay, a lecturer in narrative medicine strives to accept her best self by surmounting the barriers of itchy skin and unsightly red patches caused by chronic atopic dermatitis.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Atópica , Humanos , Dermatitis Atópica/complicaciones , Dermatitis Atópica/diagnóstico , Dermatitis Atópica/psicología , Femenino , AdultoRESUMEN
The segregation of prokaryotic plasmids typically requires a centromere-like site and two proteins, a centromere-binding protein (CBP) and an NTPase. By contrast, a single 245 residue Par protein mediates partition of the prototypical staphylococcal multiresistance plasmid pSK1 in the absence of an identifiable NTPase component. To gain insight into centromere binding by pSK1 Par and its segregation function we performed structural, biochemical and in vivo studies. Here we show that pSK1 Par binds a centromere consisting of seven repeat elements. We demonstrate this Par-centromere interaction also mediates Par autoregulation. To elucidate the Par centromere binding mechanism, we obtained a structure of the Par N-terminal DNA-binding domain bound to centromere DNA to 2.25 Å. The pSK1 Par structure, which harbors a winged-helix-turn-helix (wHTH), is distinct from other plasmid CBP structures but shows homology to the B. subtilis chromosome segregation protein, RacA. Biochemical studies suggest the region C-terminal to the Par wHTH forms coiled coils and mediates oligomerization. Fluorescence microscopy analyses show that pSK1 Par enhances the separation of plasmids from clusters, driving effective segregation upon cell division. Combined the data provide insight into the molecular properties of a single protein partition system.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas , Centrómero , Segregación Cromosómica , Nucleósido-Trifosfatasa , Plásmidos , Staphylococcus , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Centrómero/genética , Centrómero/metabolismo , ADN/química , Nucleósido-Trifosfatasa/metabolismo , Plásmidos/genética , Staphylococcus/genéticaRESUMEN
Infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in children are on the rise worldwide. Treating these infections is a challenge for pediatric caregivers. In this arms race, the armamentarium of antibiotics is quickly being depleted. This article reviews the problems facing clinicians caring for children with resistant bacterial infections, examines some of the newer antibiotics, and discusses other methods for pediatric caregivers to combat these infections. Only through an informed and concerted effort will we be able to address this growing problem in children. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(9):e354-e358.].
