Is abdominal pain after an injury just an injury? Case report of rare aspiration pneumonia with lung gangrene and peritoneal response in a 5-year-old child.

Although pneumonia presents a relatively common diagnosis, it does not always present with classic clinical symptoms, nor does it follow a regular course without complications. The presented case describes a rare case of aspiration necrotizing pneumonia, which despite intensive therapy, progressed to lung gangrene and required a lung lobectomy. Another peculiarity is that the correct diagnosis was established only after the onset of abdominal pain, surprisingly by a trauma surgeon. This case emphasizes the necessity of a thorough general examination and draws attention to a rare, but conservatively intractable necrotizing pneumonia complicated by lung gangrene.

Tetracycline-modifying enzyme SmTetX from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

The resistance of the emerging human pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to tetracycline antibiotics mainly depends on multidrug efflux pumps and ribosomal protection enzymes. However, the genomes of several strains of this Gram-negative bacterium code for a FAD-dependent monooxygenase (SmTetX) homologous to tetracycline destructases. This protein was recombinantly produced and its structure and function were investigated. Activity assays using SmTetX showed its ability to modify oxytetracycline with a catalytic rate comparable to those of other destructases. SmTetX shares its fold with the tetracycline destructase TetX from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron; however, its active site possesses an aromatic region that is unique in this enzyme family. A docking study confirmed tetracycline and its analogues to be the preferred binders amongst various classes of antibiotics.

Structure of the human NK cell NKR-P1:LLT1 receptor:ligand complex reveals clustering in the immune synapse.

Signaling by the human C-type lectin-like receptor, natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptor NKR-P1, has a critical role in many immune-related diseases and cancer. C-type lectin-like receptors have weak affinities to their ligands; therefore, setting up a comprehensive model of NKR-P1-LLT1 interactions that considers the natural state of the receptor on the cell surface is necessary to understand its functions. Here we report the crystal structures of the NKR-P1 and NKR-P1:LLT1 complexes, which provides evidence that NKR-P1 forms homodimers in an unexpected arrangement to enable LLT1 binding in two modes, bridging two LLT1 molecules. These interaction clusters are suggestive of an inhibitory immune synapse. By observing the formation of these clusters in solution using SEC-SAXS analysis, by dSTORM super-resolution microscopy on the cell surface, and by following their role in receptor signaling with freshly isolated NK cells, we show that only the ligation of both LLT1 binding interfaces leads to effective NKR-P1 inhibitory signaling. In summary, our findings collectively support a model of NKR-P1:LLT1 clustering, which allows the interacting proteins to overcome weak ligand-receptor affinity and to trigger signal transduction upon cellular contact in the immune synapse.

The first structure-function study of GH151 α-l-fucosidase uncovers new oligomerization pattern, active site complementation, and selective substrate specificity.

Fucosylated compounds are abundantly present in nature and are associated with many biological processes, therefore carrying great potential for use in medicine and biotechnology. Efficient ways to modify fucosylated compounds are still being developed. Promising results are provided by glycosyl hydrolases with transglycosylating activities, such as α-l-fucosidase isoenzyme 2 from Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus (family GH151 of Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes). Currently, there is no 3D structure representing this glycoside hydrolase family and only a few members have been investigated. Here, we present the first structure-function study of a GH151 member, providing the key insights into its specific oligomerization and active site properties. According to the crystal structure, small-angle X-ray scattering data and catalytic investigation, this enzyme functions as a tetramer of a new type and represents the second known case of active site complementation among all α-l-fucosidases. Mutation of the active site-complementing residue histidine 503 to alanine confirmed its influence on α-l-fucosidase activity and, specifically, on substrate binding. Several unique features of GH151 family α-l-fucosidases were revealed, including the oligomerization pattern, active site accessibility and complementation, and substrate selectivity. Some common properties of GH151 glycosyl hydrolases then would be the overall three-domain structure and conservation of the central domain loop 2 function, including its complementation role and the formation of the carbohydrate-binding platform in the active site vicinity.

Outcomes of Mini-Invasive Arthroscopic Arthrolysis Combined with Locking Screw and/or Intramedullary Nail Extraction after Osteosynthesis of the Proximal Humerus Fracture.

Data on the effectiveness of arthroscopic arthrolysis and extraction of osteosynthetic material after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus in patients with persisting problems are rare and insufficient. In this study, we performed arthroscopic arthrolysis and extraction of fixation screws, and, where protruding, extraction of the nail in 34 patients with problems persisting 12 months after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus using an intramedullary nail. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using the Constant-Murley shoulder score and forward flexion difference between the treated arm and the contralateral one. A median increase of 16 points in CMS score and 30 degrees reduction in the arm forward flexion difference was recorded 12 months after the arthroscopy. The improvement was significantly higher in the patient group with intramedullary nail extraction (however, this group had worse pre-operative values and the screw was only extracted where likely to cause problems). The median time to heal was 11 weeks; no serious peri- or post-procedural complications occurred. Mini-invasive arthroscopic arthrolysis combined with extraction of osteosynthetic material proved to be a safe and effective method for treatment of patients after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus using an intramedullary nail with persisting pain and/or mobility limitation.

Crystallographic fragment screening-based study of a novel FAD-dependent oxidoreductase from Chaetomium thermophilum. Corrigendum.

The synchrotron facilities used in collecting the data for the article by Svecová et al. [(2021), Acta Cryst. D77, 755-775] are acknowledged.

Crystallographic fragment screening-based study of a novel FAD-dependent oxidoreductase from Chaetomium thermophilum.

The FAD-dependent oxidoreductase from Chaetomium thermophilum (CtFDO) is a novel thermostable glycoprotein from the glucose-methanol-choline (GMC) oxidoreductase superfamily. However, CtFDO shows no activity toward the typical substrates of the family and high-throughput screening with around 1000 compounds did not yield any strongly reacting substrate. Therefore, protein crystallography, including crystallographic fragment screening, with 42 fragments and 37 other compounds was used to describe the ligand-binding sites of CtFDO and to characterize the nature of its substrate. The structure of CtFDO reveals an unusually wide-open solvent-accessible active-site pocket with a unique His-Ser amino-acid pair putatively involved in enzyme catalysis. A series of six crystal structures of CtFDO complexes revealed five different subsites for the binding of aryl moieties inside the active-site pocket and conformational flexibility of the interacting amino acids when adapting to a particular ligand. The protein is capable of binding complex polyaromatic substrates of molecular weight greater than 500 Da.

Rational Design of Suprastat: A Novel Selective Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitor with the Ability to Potentiate Immunotherapy in Melanoma Models.

Selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is being recognized as a therapeutic approach for cancers. In this study, we designed a new HDAC6 inhibitor, named Suprastat, using in silico simulations. X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations provide strong evidence to support the notion that the aminomethyl and hydroxyl groups in the capping group of Suprastat establish significant hydrogen bond interactions, either direct or water-mediated, with residues D460, N530, and S531, which play a vital role in regulating the deacetylase function of the enzyme and which are absent in other isoforms. In vitro characterization of Suprastat demonstrates subnanomolar HDAC6 inhibitory potency and a hundred- to a thousand-fold HDAC6 selectivity over the other HDAC isoforms. In vivo studies reveal that a combination of Suprastat and anti-PD1 immunotherapy enhances antitumor immune response, mediated by a decrease of protumoral M2 macrophages and increased infiltration of antitumor CD8+ effector and memory T-cells.

Trp-His covalent adduct in bilirubin oxidase is crucial for effective bilirubin binding but has a minor role in electron transfer.

Unlike any protein studied so far, the active site of bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria contains a unique type of covalent link between tryptophan and histidine side chains. The role of this post-translational modification in substrate binding and oxidation is not sufficiently understood. Our structural and mutational studies provide evidence that this Trp396-His398 adduct modifies T1 copper coordination and is an important part of the substrate binding and oxidation site. The presence of the adduct is crucial for oxidation of substituted phenols and it substantially influences the rate of oxidation of bilirubin. Additionally, we bring the first structure of bilirubin oxidase in complex with one of its products, ferricyanide ion, interacting with the modified tryptophan side chain, Arg356 and the active site-forming loop 393-398. The results imply that structurally and chemically distinct types of substrates, including bilirubin, utilize the Trp-His adduct mainly for binding and to a smaller extent for electron transfer.

Structural and Catalytic Properties of S1 Nuclease from Aspergillus oryzae Responsible for Substrate Recognition, Cleavage, Non-Specificity, and Inhibition.

The single-strand-specific S1 nuclease from Aspergillus oryzae is an archetypal enzyme of the S1-P1 family of nucleases with a widespread use for biochemical analyses of nucleic acids. We present the first X-ray structure of this nuclease along with a thorough analysis of the reaction and inhibition mechanisms and of its properties responsible for identification and binding of ligands. Seven structures of S1 nuclease, six of which are complexes with products and inhibitors, and characterization of catalytic properties of a wild type and mutants reveal unknown attributes of the S1-P1 family. The active site can bind phosphate, nucleosides, and nucleotides in several distinguished ways. The nucleoside binding site accepts bases in two binding modes-shallow and deep. It can also undergo remodeling and so adapt to different ligands. The amino acid residue Asp65 is critical for activity while Asn154 secures interaction with the sugar moiety, and Lys68 is involved in interactions with the phosphate and sugar moieties of ligands. An additional nucleobase binding site was identified on the surface, which explains the absence of the Tyr site known from P1 nuclease. For the first time ternary complexes with ligands enable modeling of ssDNA binding in the active site cleft. Interpretation of the results in the context of the whole S1-P1 nuclease family significantly broadens our knowledge regarding ligand interaction modes and the strategies of adjustment of the enzyme surface and binding sites to achieve particular specificity.

Phosphate binding in the active centre of tomato multifunctional nuclease TBN1 and analysis of superhelix formation by the enzyme.

Tomato multifunctional nuclease TBN1 belongs to the type I nuclease family, which plays an important role in apoptotic processes and cell senescence in plants. The newly solved structure of the N211D mutant is reported. Although the main crystal-packing motif (the formation of superhelices) is conserved, the details differ among the known structures. A phosphate ion was localized in the active site of the enzyme. The binding of the surface loop to the active centre is stabilized by the phosphate ion, which correlates with the observed aggregation of TBN1 in phosphate buffer. The conserved binding of the surface loop to the active centre suggests biological relevance of the contact in a regulatory function or in the formation of oligomers.

Four crystal structures of human LLT1, a ligand of human NKR-P1, in varied glycosylation and oligomerization states.

Human LLT1 is a C-type lectin-like ligand of NKR-P1 (CD161, gene KLRB1), a C-type lectin-like receptor of natural killer cells. Using X-ray diffraction, the first experimental structures of human LLT1 were determined. Four structures of LLT1 under various conditions were determined: monomeric, dimeric deglycosylated after the first N-acetylglucosamine unit in two forms and hexameric with homogeneous GlcNAc2Man5 glycosylation. The dimeric form follows the classical dimerization mode of human CD69. The monomeric form keeps the same fold with the exception of the position of an outer part of the long loop region. The hexamer of glycosylated LLT1 consists of three classical dimers. The hexameric packing may indicate a possible mode of interaction of C-type lectin-like proteins in the glycosylated form.