Genetic profiles of Propionibacterium acnes and identification of a unique transposon with novel insertion sequences in sarcoid and non-sarcoid isolates.

Propionibacterium acnes is one of the most commonly implicated etiologic agents of sarcoidosis. We previously reported a complete genome sequence of the C1 strain of P. acnes as a clinical isolate from subcutaneous granulomatous inflammatory lesions in a patient with sarcoidosis. In the present study, we initially searched for genetic profiles specific to the C1 strain by core genome analysis and multiple genome alignment with database sequences from 76 and 9 P. acnes strains, respectively. The analysis revealed that the C1 strain was phylogenetically independent and carried an 18.8-kbp transposon sequence unique to the sarcoid isolate. The unique composite transposon comprised a novel insertion sequence and extrinsic genes from bacteria other than P. acnes. Multilocus sequence typing using 24 sarcoid and 36 non-sarcoid isolates revealed a total of 28 sequence types (STs), including ST26, which was most frequently found without specificity for sarcoid isolates. All 13 ST26 isolates exhibited cell-invasiveness and were confirmed to carry the novel insertion sequence and 4 of the 27 extrinsic CDSs in the transposon, with one exception. ST26 of P. acnes with the composite transposon is the most unique strain detected to date and should be further examined as a causative strain of sarcoidosis.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Propionibacterium acnes Isolate from a Sarcoidosis Patient.

Propionibacterium acnes is a human skin commensal that resides preferentially within sebaceous follicles and is the only microorganism that has been isolated from sarcoid lesions. We report the complete genome sequence of P. acnes, which was isolated from a Japanese patient with sarcoidosis.

Complete genome sequence of the serotype k Streptococcus mutans strain LJ23.

Streptococcus mutans is the major pathogen of dental caries and occasionally causes infective endocarditis. Here we report the complete genome sequence of serotype k S. mutans strain LJ23, which was recently isolated from the oral cavity of a Japanese patient.

Widespread expression of γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase suggests it is not a general tumor marker.

γ-Glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) contributes to the γ-glutamyl cycle that regulates glutathione metabolism. Although GGCT has been implicated in several studies as a possible cancer marker, little is known about its distribution in cells and tissues. The authors investigated GGCT expression in normal tissues and tumors using Western blots and immunohistochemistry with a novel anti-GGCT monoclonal antibody. GGCT was detected in most organs and was mainly found in epithelial cells. Although the intracellular distribution was mainly cytoplasmic, in some situations, nuclear staining was strong. A significant increase in the expression of GGCT was found in tumors of the lung, esophagus, stomach, bile duct, and uterine cervix. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in expression in renal and urothelial tumors. These results suggest that GGCT may be a biomarker of tumors in a limited range of organs.