A pipeline for identification of causal mutations in barley identifies Xantha-j as the chlorophyll synthase gene.

Thousands of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutants have been isolated over the last century, and many are stored in gene banks across various countries. In the present work, we developed a pipeline to efficiently identify causal mutations in barley. The pipeline is also efficient for mutations located in centromeric regions. Through bulked segregant analyses using whole genome sequencing of pooled F2 seedlings, we mapped 2 mutations and identified a limited number of candidate genes. We applied the pipeline on F2 mapping populations made from xan-j.59 (unknown mutation) and xan-l.82 (previously known). The Xantha-j (xan-j) gene was identified as encoding chlorophyll synthase, which catalyzes the last step in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway: the addition of a phytol moiety to the propionate side chain of chlorophyllide. Key amino acid residues in the active site, including the binding sites of the isoprenoid and chlorophyllide substrates, were analyzed in an AlphaFold2-generated structural model of the barley chlorophyll synthase. Three allelic mutants, xan-j.19, xan-j.59, and xan-j.64, were characterized. While xan-j.19 is a 1 base pair deletion and xan-j.59 is a nonsense mutation, xan-j.64 causes an S212F substitution in chlorophyll synthase. Our analyses of xan-j.64 and treatment of growing barley with clomazone, an inhibitor of chloroplastic isoprenoid biosynthesis, suggest that binding of the isoprenoid substrate is a prerequisite for the stable maintenance of chlorophyll synthase in the plastid. We further suggest that chlorophyll synthase is a sensor for coordinating chlorophyll and isoprenoid biosynthesis.

Structural basis for the transformation of the traditional medicine berberine by bacterial nitroreductase.

The bacterial nitroreductases (NRs) NfsB and NfsA are conserved homodimeric FMN-dependent flavoproteins that are responsible for the reduction of nitroaromatic substrates. Berberine (BBR) is a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid with a large conjugated ring system that is widely used in the treatment of various diseases. It was recently found that the gut microbiota convert BBR into dihydroberberine (dhBBR, the absorbable form) mediated by bacterial NRs. The molecular basis for the transformation of BBR by the gut microbiota remains unclear. Here, kinetic studies showed that NfsB from Escherichia coli (EcNfsB), rather than EcNfsA, is responsible for the conversion of BBR to dhBBR in spite of a low reaction rate. The crystal structure of the EcNfsB-BBR complex showed that BBR binds into the active pocket at the dimer interface, and its large conjugated plane stacks above the plane of the FMN cofactor in a nearly parallel orientation. BBR is mainly stabilized by π-stacking interactions with both neighboring aromatic residues and FMN. Structure-based mutagenesis studies further revealed that the highly conserved Phe70 and Phe199 are important residues for the conversion of BBR. The structure revealed that the C6 atom of BBR (which receives the hydride) is ∼7.5 Šfrom the N5 atom of FMN (which donates the hydride), which is too distant for hydride transfer. Notably, several well ordered water molecules make hydrogen-bond/van der Waals contacts with the N1 atom of BBR in the active site, which probably donate protons in conjunction with electron transfer from FMN. The structure-function studies revealed the mechanism for the recognition and binding of BBR by bacterial NRs and may help to understand the conversion of BBR by the gut microbiota.

Evaluation of GeneXpert vanA/vanB in the early diagnosis of vancomycin-resistant enterococci infection.

PURPOSE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci infection is a worrying worldwide clinical problem. To evaluate the accuracy of GeneXpert vanA/vanB in the diagnosis of VRE, we conducted a systematic review in the study. METHODS: Experimental data were extracted from publications until May 03 2021 related to the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert vanA/vanB for VRE in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. The accuracy of GeneXpert vanA/vanB for VRE was evaluated using summary receiver to operate characteristic curve, pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. RESULTS: 8 publications were divided into 3 groups according to two golden standard references, vanA and vanB group, vanA group, vanB group, including 6 researches, 5 researches and 5 researches, respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of group vanA and vanB were 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.88-0.91) respectively. The DOR was 440.77 (95% CI, 37.92-5123.55). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of group vanA were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.81-0.90) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-0.99) respectively, and those of group vanB were 0.85 (95% CI, 0.63-0.97) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.80-0.83) respectively. CONCLUSION: GeneXpert vanA/vanB can diagnose VRE with high-accuracy and shows greater accuracy in diagnosing vanA.

Effect of Vancomycin on Cytoplasmic Peptidoglycan Intermediates and van Operon mRNA Levels in VanA-Type Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium.

Resistance in VanA-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is due to an inducible gene cassette encoding seven proteins (vanRSHAXYZ). This provides for an alternative peptidoglycan (PG) biosynthesis pathway whereby D-Ala-D-Ala is replaced by D-Ala-d-lactate (Lac), to which vancomycin cannot bind effectively. This study aimed to quantify cytoplasmic levels of normal and alternative pathway PG intermediates in VanA-type VREfm by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry before and after vancomycin exposure and to correlate these changes with changes in vanA operon mRNA levels measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Normal pathway intermediates predominated in the absence of vancomycin, with low levels of alternative pathway intermediates. Extended (18-h) vancomycin exposure resulted in a mixture of the terminal normal (UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid [NAM]-l-Ala-D-Glu-l-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala [UDP-Penta]) and alternative (UDP-NAM-l-Ala-γ-D-Glu-l-Lys-D-Ala-D-Lac [UDP-Pentadepsi]) pathway intermediates (2:3 ratio). Time course analyses revealed normal pathway intermediates responding rapidly (peaking in 3 to 10 min) and alternative pathway intermediates responding more slowly (peaking in 15 to 45 min). RT-qPCR demonstrated that vanA operon mRNA transcript levels increased rapidly after exposure, reaching maximal levels in 15 min. To resolve the effect of increased van operon protein expression on PG metabolite levels, linezolid was used to block protein biosynthesis. Surprisingly, linezolid dramatically reduced PG intermediate levels when used alone. When used in combination with vancomycin, linezolid only modestly reduced alternative UDP-linked PG intermediate levels, indicating substantial alternative pathway presence before vancomycin exposure. Comparison of PG intermediate levels between VREfm, vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus faecium, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after vancomycin exposure demonstrated substantial differences between S. aureus and E. faecium PG biosynthesis pathways. IMPORTANCE VREfm is highly resistant to vancomycin due to the presence of a vancomycin resistance gene cassette. Exposure to vancomycin induces the expression of genes in this cassette, which encode enzymes that provide for an alternative PG biosynthesis pathway. In VanA-type resistance, these alternative pathway enzymes replace the D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of normal PG intermediates with D-Ala-D-Lac terminated intermediates, to which vancomycin cannot bind. While the general features of this resistance mechanism are well known, the details of the choreography between vancomycin exposure, vanA gene induction, and changes in the normal and alternative pathway intermediate levels have not been described previously. This study comprehensively explores how VREfm responds to vancomycin exposure at the mRNA and PG intermediate levels.

Xanthophyll carotenoids stabilise the association of cyanobacterial chlorophyll synthase with the LHC-like protein HliD.

Chlorophyll synthase (ChlG) catalyses a terminal reaction in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway, attachment of phytol or geranylgeraniol to the C17 propionate of chlorophyllide. Cyanobacterial ChlG forms a stable complex with high light-inducible protein D (HliD), a small single-helix protein homologous to the third transmembrane helix of plant light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). The ChlG-HliD assembly binds chlorophyll, ß-carotene, zeaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll and associates with the YidC insertase, most likely to facilitate incorporation of chlorophyll into translated photosystem apoproteins. HliD independently coordinates chlorophyll and ß-carotene but the role of the xanthophylls, which appear to be exclusive to the core ChlG-HliD assembly, is unclear. Here we generated mutants of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 lacking specific combinations of carotenoids or HliD in a background with FLAG- or His-tagged ChlG. Immunoprecipitation experiments and analysis of isolated membranes demonstrate that the absence of zeaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll significantly weakens the interaction between HliD and ChlG. ChlG alone does not bind carotenoids and accumulation of the chlorophyllide substrate in the absence of xanthophylls indicates that activity/stability of the 'naked' enzyme is perturbed. In contrast, the interaction of HliD with a second partner, the photosystem II assembly factor Ycf39, is preserved in the absence of xanthophylls. We propose that xanthophylls are required for the stable association of ChlG and HliD, acting as a 'molecular glue' at the lateral transmembrane interface between these proteins; roles for zeaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll in ChlG-HliD complexation are discussed, as well as the possible presence of similar complexes between LHC-like proteins and chlorophyll biosynthesis enzymes in plants.

Biosynthesis and Export of Bacterial Glycolipids.

Complex carbohydrates are essential for many biological processes, from protein quality control to cell recognition, energy storage, and cell wall formation. Many of these processes are performed in topologically extracellular compartments or on the cell surface; hence, diverse secretion systems evolved to transport the hydrophilic molecules to their sites of action. Polyprenyl lipids serve as ubiquitous anchors and facilitators of these transport processes. Here, we summarize and compare bacterial biosynthesis pathways relying on the recognition and transport of lipid-linked complex carbohydrates. In particular, we compare transporters implicated in O antigen and capsular polysaccharide biosyntheses with those facilitating teichoic acid and N-linked glycan transport. Further, we discuss recent insights into the generation, recognition, and recycling of polyprenyl lipids.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying salicylic acid-mitigated mercury toxicity in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.).

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic heavy metals with strong negative effects on the plant growth and functions. Salicylic acid (SA) is an important signaling molecule which confers tolerance to metal toxicities but little is known about the mechanisms of SA-mediated alleviation of Hg stress. Here, physiochemical and molecular responses of Hg-stressed lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) to exogenous SA were investigated to reveal SA-induced tolerance mechanisms. The CHLG gene of lemon balm which encodes chlorophyll synthase was also partly isolated and sequenced for the first time. Hg stress markedly decreased growth, relative water content (RWC) and photosynthetic pigments of the plant. However, exogenous SA significantly mitigated the toxic effects of mercury on the growth and RWC and enabled plant to maintain chlorophylls to the similar levels of unstressed plants. Hg-induced oxidative damage was also reduced following treatment with SA and treated plants showed the lower extent of lipid peroxidation which was accompanied with the higher free proline and phenolics contents and elevation of the antioxidant capacity as evidenced by DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays. Moreover, SA treatment resulted in up-regulation of CHLG and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) genes as key components of chlorophyll and phenylpropanoid routes, respectively. Our results collectively indicate the ameliorative effects of exogenous SA in mercury toxicity through coordinated alternations in plant metabolic processes which provide insights to better understand mechanisms of Hg tolerance in lemon balm plant.

Characterization of chlorophyll f synthase heterologously produced in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.

In diverse terrestrial cyanobacteria, Far-Red Light Photoacclimation (FaRLiP) promotes extensive remodeling of the photosynthetic apparatus, including photosystems (PS)I and PSII and the cores of phycobilisomes, and is accompanied by the concomitant biosynthesis of chlorophyll (Chl) d and Chl f. Chl f synthase, encoded by chlF, is a highly divergent paralog of psbA; heterologous expression of chlF from Chlorogloeopsis fritscii PCC 9212 led to the light-dependent production of Chl f in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 (Ho et al., Science 353, aaf9178 (2016)). In the studies reported here, expression of the chlF gene from Fischerella thermalis PCC 7521 in the heterologous system led to enhanced synthesis of Chl f. N-terminally [His]10-tagged ChlF7521 was purified and identified by immunoblotting and tryptic-peptide mass fingerprinting. As predicted from its sequence similarity to PsbA, ChlF bound Chl a and pheophytin a at a ratio of ~ 3-4:1, bound ß-carotene and zeaxanthin, and was inhibited in vivo by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Cross-linking studies and the absence of copurifying proteins indicated that ChlF forms homodimers. Flash photolysis of ChlF produced a Chl a triplet that decayed with a lifetime (1/e) of ~ 817 µs and that could be attributed to intersystem crossing by EPR spectroscopy at 90 K. When the chlF7521 gene was expressed in a strain in which the psbD1 and psbD2 genes had been deleted, significantly more Chl f was produced, and Chl f levels could be further enhanced by specific growth-light conditions. Chl f synthesized in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was inserted into trimeric PSI complexes.

Armeniaspirol Antibiotic Biosynthesis: Chlorination and Oxidative Dechlorination Steps Affording Spiro[4.4]non-8-ene.

Armeniaspirols are potent antibiotics containing an unusual spiro[4.4]non-8-ene moiety. Herein, we describe the cloning and functional analysis of the armeniaspirol biosynthetic gene cluster. Gene-inactivation studies and subsequent isolation of previously unknown biosynthetic intermediates shed light on intriguing biosynthetic details. Remarkably, deletion of ams15, which encodes a protein bearing a flavin-binding domain, led to the accumulation of several non-spiro intermediates with various numbers of chlorine substitutions on the pyrrole moiety. The di- and trichloropyrrole species were converted by Streptomyces albus expressing Ams15 into mono- and dichlorinated spiro derivatives, respectively. In addition, in vitro conversion of these non-spiro intermediates into des-N-methyl spiro intermediates by the cell lysate of the same recombinant strain proved Ams15 to be responsible for spiro formation through oxidative dehalogenation.

A partial reconstitution implicates DltD in catalyzing lipoteichoic acid d-alanylation.

Modifications to the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall play important roles in antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis, but the pathway for the d-alanylation of teichoic acids (DLT pathway), a ubiquitous modification, is poorly understood. The d-alanylation machinery includes two membrane proteins of unclear function, DltB and DltD, which are somehow involved in transfer of d-alanine from a carrier protein inside the cell to teichoic acids on the cell surface. Here, we probed the role of DltD in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus using both cell-based and biochemical assays. We first exploited a known synthetic lethal interaction to establish the essentiality of each gene in the DLT pathway for d-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and confirmed this by directly detecting radiolabeled d-Ala-LTA both in cells and in vesicles prepared from mutant strains of S. aureus We developed a partial reconstitution of the pathway by using cell-derived vesicles containing DltB, but no other components of the d-alanylation pathway, and showed that d-alanylation of previously formed lipoteichoic acid in the DltB vesicles requires the presence of purified and reconstituted DltA, DltC, and DltD, but not of the LTA synthase LtaS. Finally, based on the activity of DltD mutants in cells and in our reconstituted system, we determined that Ser-70 and His-361 are essential for d-alanylation activity, and we propose that DltD uses a catalytic dyad to transfer d-alanine to LTA. In summary, we have developed a suite of assays for investigating the bacterial DLT pathway and uncovered a role for DltD in LTA d-alanylation.

Plant and algal chlorophyll synthases function in Synechocystis and interact with the YidC/Alb3 membrane insertase.

In the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the terminal enzyme of chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll synthase (ChlG), forms a complex with high light-inducible proteins, the photosystem II assembly factor Ycf39 and the YidC/Alb3/OxaI membrane insertase, co-ordinating chlorophyll delivery with cotranslational insertion of nascent photosystem polypeptides into the membrane. To gain insight into the ubiquity of this assembly complex in higher photosynthetic organisms, we produced functional foreign chlorophyll synthases in a cyanobacterial host. Synthesis of algal and plant chlorophyll synthases allowed deletion of the otherwise essential native cyanobacterial gene. Analysis of purified protein complexes shows that the interaction with YidC is maintained for both eukaryotic enzymes, indicating that a ChlG-YidC/Alb3 complex may be evolutionarily conserved in algae and plants.

Aliivibrio salmonicida requires O-antigen for virulence in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Aliivibrio salmonicida is the causative agent of cold-water vibriosis, a hemorrhagic septicemia of salmonid fish. The bacterium has been shown to rapidly enter the fish bloodstream, and proliferation in blood is seen after a period of latency. Although the pathogenesis of the disease is largely unknown, shedding of high quantities of outer-membrane complex VS-P1, consisting of LPS and a protein moiety, has been suggested to act as decoy and contribute to immunomodulation. To investigate the role of LPS in the pathogenesis, we constructed O-antigen deficient mutants by knocking out the gene encoding O-antigen ligase waaL. As this gene exists in two copies in the Al. salmonicida genome, we constructed single and double in-frame deletion mutants to explore potential effects of copy number variation. Our results demonstrate that the LPS structure of Al. salmonicida is essential for virulence in Atlantic salmon. As the loss of O-antigen did not influence invasive properties of the bacterium, the role of LPS in virulence applies to later stages of the pathogenesis. One copy of waaL was sufficient for O-antigen ligation and virulence in experimental models. However, as a non-significant decrease in mortality was observed after immersion challenge with a waaL single mutant, it is tempting to suggest that multiple copies of the gene are beneficial to the bacterium at lower challenge doses. The loss of O-antigen was not found to affect serum survival in vitro, but quantification of bacteria in blood following immersion challenge suggested a role in in vivo survival. Furthermore, fish challenged with the waaL double mutant induced a more transient immune response than fish challenged with the wild type strain. Whether the reduction in virulence following the loss of waaL is caused by altered immunomodulative properties or impaired survival remains unclear. However, our data demonstrate that LPS is crucial for development of disease.

Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide O-antigen ligases share similar membrane topology and biochemical properties.

WaaL is an inner membrane glycosyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of O-antigen polysaccharide from its lipid-linked intermediate to a terminal sugar of the lipid A-core oligosaccharide, a conserved step in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. Ligation occurs at the periplasmic side of the bacterial cell membrane, suggesting the catalytic region of WaaL faces the periplasm. Establishing the membrane topology of the WaaL protein family will enable understanding its mechanism and exploit it as a potential antimicrobial target. Applying oxidative labeling of native methionine/cysteine residues, we previously validated a topological model for Escherichia coli WaaL, which differs substantially from the reported topology of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa WaaL, derived from the analysis of truncated protein reporter fusions. Here, we examined the topology of intact E. coli and P. aeruginosa WaaL proteins by labeling engineered cysteine residues with the membrane-impermeable sulfhydryl reagent polyethylene glycol maleimide (PEG-Mal). The accessibility of PEG-Mal to targeted engineered cysteine residues in both E. coli and P. aeruginosa WaaL proteins demonstrates that both ligases share similar membrane topology. Further, we also demonstrate that P. aeruginosa WaaL shares similar functional properties with E. coli WaaL and that E. coli WaaL may adopt a functional dimer conformation.

Photoenzymes and Related Topics: An Update.

Photoenzymes are enzymes that catalyze photochemical reactions. For a long time, it was believed that only two types of photoenzymes exist: light-dependent NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase and photolyase. However, other photoenzymes have now been discovered, most recently fatty acid photodecarboxylase.

Genetic Characterization of vanA-Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Wild Red-Legged Partridges in Portugal.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been detected in wild animals representing a public health concern. The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a common game bird and its meat is consumed in several countries, including Portugal. Three hundred five fecal samples of red-legged partridge from the north of Portugal were screened for VRE. Samples were cultured on Slanetz-Bartley agar supplemented with vancomycin (4 mg/L) and six vanA-Enterococcus faecium were recovered. Isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to study the genotypic diversity of vanA-containing E. faecium. The six isolates showed erythromycin resistance and harbored the erm(B) gene and the four that were tetracycline resistant showed the tet(M) gene. The C-terminal region of the pbp5 gene of the ampicillin-resistant isolates (minimal inhibitory concentration range of 256 µg/ml) was sequenced. Two different pbp5 alleles were detected when considering the changes of amino acid in 461-629 region. All isolates harbored the esp gene, whereas hyl, together with the esp gene, was detected in five isolates. MLST analysis grouped the isolates as ST448 (n = 1), ST139 (n = 1), and ST18 (n = 4). Our findings show that the red-legged partridges could be a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes and may contribute to the dissemination and transference of the resistance genes to other animals and humans.

Occurrence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in Various Clinical Infections: Detection of Their Drug Resistance and Virulence Determinants.

The aim of this study was to characterize virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance profiles in enterococci obtained from various clinical sources in the northwest of Iran. A total of 160 enterococcal clinical isolates from various wards of University Teaching Hospitals were collected and specified by biochemical test, from September 2014 to July 2015. Identification of enterococci was confirmed by multiplex PCR in the genus and species level. Antibiotic resistance properties and virulence determinants were examined by phenotypic and molecular methods. Of 160 enterococcal isolates, 125 (78.12%) and 35 (21.88%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. The most common antibiotic nonsusceptible pattern observed was resistance toward rifampicin [n = 122 (76.25%)] followed by erythromycin [n = 117 (73.12%)]. Among all isolates, gelE [n = 140 (87.5%)], cpd [n = 137 (85.6%)], and asa1 [n = 118 (73.8%)] were the most prevalent virulence genes studied. Thirty isolates (11 E. faecalis, 19 E. faecium) were found to be resistant to vancomycin, with minimum inhibitory concentration of ≥256 µg/ml. Twenty-seven isolates carried the vanA gene, whereas none of the isolates carried vanB. E. faecalis had a considerable ability to show virulence genes and drug resistance. Emergence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci and the high prevalence of virulence traits in our study could be regarded as an alarming situation.

Characterization of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Fresh Produces and Human Fecal Samples.

Increased enterococcal infections in hospitals and multidrug-resistant and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolated from humans, animals, and food sources raised public health concern on the presence of VRE in multiple sources. We performed a comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and genetics of VRE isolates derived from fresh produce and human fecal samples. Of 389 Enterococcus isolates, 8 fecal and 3 produce isolates were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin; all harbored vanA gene. The VRE isolates showed multidrug-resistant properties. The isolates from fresh produce in this study showed to have the common shared characteristics with the isolates from humans by the results of antimicrobial resistance, multilocus sequence typing, and Tn 1546 transposon analysis. Therefore, VRE isolates from fresh produce are likely related to VRE derived from humans. The results suggested that VRE may contaminate vegetables through the environment, and the contaminated vegetables could then act as a vehicle for human infections. Ongoing nationwide surveillance of antibiotic resistance and the promotion of the proper use of antibiotics are necessary.

Characteristics of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Strains in the West Balkans: A First Report.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are among the major causes of nosocomial infections and represent a growing problem in many European countries. Among the most common enterococcal isolates, Enterococcus faecium is considered to be the reservoir of VanA and VanB-mediated resistance to glycopeptides. Enterococci with VanA-mediated resistance can transfer resistance genes to other enterococci and gram-positive bacteria. Hence, monitoring and surveillance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VREs) are crucial for the prevention of the spread of glycopeptide resistance. No reports have yet been published that document the resistance rates and typization of VREs in the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia. In this study, 64 clinical enterococcal strains that were isolated in clinical centers, Mostar, Sarajevo, and Zagreb, were studied and findings regarding characteristics of vancomycin-resistant strains found in the West Balkan region are reported for the first time. All of the strains were identified using conventional phenotypic methods, and the resistance to glycopeptides was determined using the disk diffusion method, Vitek 2, and genotypic Enterococcus assay. The results of genotyping showed that 40 strains were identified as VREs (30% Enterococcus faecalis and 70% E. faecium), while the sensitivity of the phenotypic methods was 87.5%. Furthermore, VanA and VanB resistance types were found in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, with slightly higher prevalence of the latter (72.5%) over the former (27.5%).

Building Graphs To Describe Dynamics, Kinetics, and Energetics in the d-ALa:d-Lac Ligase VanA.

The d-Ala:d-Lac ligase, VanA, plays a critical role in the resistance of vancomycin. Indeed, it is involved in the synthesis of a peptidoglycan precursor, to which vancomycin cannot bind. The reaction catalyzed by VanA requires the opening of the so-called "ω-loop", so that the substrates can enter the active site. Here, the conformational landscape of VanA is explored by an enhanced sampling approach: the temperature-accelerated molecular dynamics (TAMD). Analysis of the molecular dynamics (MD) and TAMD trajectories recorded on VanA permits a graphical description of the structural and kinetics aspects of the conformational space of VanA, where the internal mobility and various opening modes of the ω-loop play a major role. The other important feature is the correlation of the ω-loop motion with the movements of the opposite domain, defined as containing the residues A149-Q208. Conformational and kinetic clusters have been determined and a path describing the ω-loop opening was extracted from these clusters. The determination of this opening path, as well as the relative importance of hydrogen bonds along the path, permit one to propose some key residue interactions for the kinetics of the ω-loop opening.

Incorporation of a Valine-Leucine-Lysine-Containing Substrate in the Bacterial Cell Wall.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a major public health threat, and therefore novel antimicrobial targets and strategies are urgently needed. In this regard, cell-wall-associated proteases are envisaged as interesting antimicrobial targets due to their role in cell wall remodeling. Here, we describe the discovery and characteristics of a protease substrate that is processed by a bacterial cell-wall-associated protease. Stationary-phase grown Gram-positive bacteria were incubated with fluorogenic protease substrates, and their cleavage and covalent incorporation into the cell wall was analyzed. Of all of the substrates used, only one substrate, containing a valine-leucine-lysine (VLK) motif, was covalently incorporated into the bacterial cell wall. Linkage of the VLK-peptide substrate appeared unrelated to sortase A and B activity, as both wild-type and sortase A and B knock out Staphylococcus aureus strains incorporated this substrate into their cell wall with comparable efficiency. Additionally, the VLK-peptide substrate showed significantly higher incorporation in the cell wall of VanA-positive Enterococcus faecium strains than in VanB- and vancomycin-susceptible isolates. In conclusion, the VLK-peptide substrate identified in this study shows promise as a vehicle for targeting antimicrobial compounds and diagnostic contrast agents to the bacterial cell wall.