Β-glucuronidase Activity Research Articles

Interaction between young fecal transplantation and perfluorobutanesulfonate endocrine disrupting toxicity in aged recipients: An estrobolome perspective

Transplanting young feces into the aged was found to effectively counteract the endocrine disrupting effects of perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) pollutant, showing promise in the maintenance of healthy aging. However, the interactive mechanisms between young fecal transplantation and PFBS endocrine disruption during aging remain unclear. In this follow-up study, aged zebrafish were administered young donor feces and then exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFBS (0 and 100 μg/L). Alterations in the holistic estrobolome along gut-liver axis were investigated. The results showed that PFBS singular exposure significantly increased blood estradiol concentration in the aged, inducing an estrogenic activity. Concentrations of other estrogen forms, including estrone and estriol, were also disrupted by PFBS. Interestingly, young fecal transplant effectively mitigated the estrogenic toxicity of PFBS and largely restored estrogen equilibrium. After PFBS exposure, the transcriptions of estrogen metabolic genes were consistently upregulated in aged livers, causing the accumulation of 2-methoxyestradiol-3-methylether metabolite. In contrast, aged livers coexposed to young fecal transplant and PFBS enhanced the glucuronidation process, successfully facilitating the elimination and detoxification of estrogen metabolites. In aged gut, PFBS exposure inhibited β-glucuronidase enzyme activity, implying the suppression of estrogen deconjugation and recycle. However, in the combined group, β-glucuronidase activity was significantly stimulated, thus reestablishing estrobolome dynamics. Overall, current findings provide mechanistic insights into the antagonistic interaction between young fecal transplant and PFBS on reproductive endocrinology. Gut microbiota manipulation appears appealing to maintain healthy aging progression albeit the interruption of environmental xenobiotics.

Persulfate oxidation of plant-based indigo wastewater enhanced by Aspergillus niger

Due to a lack of effective treatments and processes, the substantial amount of wastewater generated during plant indigo production causes environmental issues, impacting the production's sustainability. This study found that the constituents of plant indigo wastewater influence using activated carbon on persulfate. After the activated carbon treatment, the wastewater contained 78.87% sugar and 28.09% saponins. Aspergillus niger (A. niger) exhibited a high degradation performance against sugars and saponins, owing to the activities of cellulase, β-glucosidase, and β-glucuronidase. The degradation improved the activation ability of activated carbon for persulfate, with the removal rates of 46.87% and 31.62% for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC), respectively. Further analyses indicated that the A. niger treatment significantly increased the level of reactive oxygen species in the oxidation system and improved the microstructure, porosity, and adsorption capacity of activated carbon. Through the synergy of response surface analysis, prediction, and validation, we significantly reduced COD and TOC concentrations to 225.8 and 185.6mg/L (removal rates of 96.7% and 94.1%), respectively. These findings are essential for promoting the sustainable development of plant indigo production.

Endometrial Dysbiosis: A Possible Association with Estrobolome Alteration

Background/Objectives: Microbiota modification at the endometrial level can favor gynecological diseases and impair women’s fertility. The overgrowth of pathogen microorganisms is related to the contemporary alteration of estrogen-metabolizing bacteria, including β-glucuronidase, thereby enhancing estrogen-related inflammatory states and decreasing anti-inflammatory cells. The possible connection between estrobolome impairment and gynecological diseases has been suggested in animal models. Nevertheless, in humans, coherent evidence on the estrobolome alteration and functionality of the female reproductive tract is still lacking. The objective of this study was to explore alterations in estrogen-related signaling and the putative link with endometrial dysbiosis. Methods: Women with infertility and repeated implantation failure (RIF, N = 40) were enrolled in order to explore the putative link between estrogen metabolism and endometrial dysbiosis. Endometrial biopsies were used to measure inflammatory and growth factor molecules. β-glucuronidase enzyme activity and estrogen receptor (ER) expression were also assessed. Results: Herein, increased levels of inflammatory molecules (i.e., IL-1β and HIF-1α) and decreased levels of the growth factor IGF-1 were found in the endometrial biopsies of patients presenting dysbiosis compared to eubiotic ones. β-glucuronidase activity and the expression of ERβ were significantly enhanced in patients in the dysbiosis group. Interestingly, Lactobacilli abundance was inversely related to β-glucuronidase activity and to ERβ expression, thus suggesting that an alteration of the estrogen-activating enzyme may affect the expression of ERs as well. Conclusions. Overall, these preliminary data suggested a link between endometrial dysbiosis and estrobolome impairment as possible synergistic contributing factors to women infertility and RIF.

Three bioactive compounds from Huangqin decoction ameliorate Irinotecan-induced diarrhea via dual-targeting of Escherichia coli and bacterial β-glucuronidase

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic for the treatment of colon cancer. Unfortunately, acute and delayed diarrhea are prominent side effects of CPT-11 use, and this limits its therapeutic potential. The curative effect of Huangqin decoction (HQD) on chemotherapy-induced diarrhea has been proven. This study investigated the efficacy of the components of HQD (baicalein, baicalin, and paeoniflorin) on CPT-11-induced diarrhea and their underlying mechanisms. Baicalein was found to be the most effective component in improving CPT-11-induced enterotoxicity by intestinal permeability test, ELISA, fluorescence co-localization, and IHC. The combination of baicalin, baicalin and paeoniflorin can obtain similar therapeutic effect to that of HQD. Mendelian randomization analysis, 16 s rRNA sequencing, and fluorescence imaging revealed that baicalein and baicalin significantly inhibited β-glucuronidase (β-GUS) activity. Bacterial abundance analysis and scanning electron microscopy showed that baicalein inhibited the proliferation of Escherichia coli by destroying its cell wall. The molecular dynamics and site-directed mutagenesis results revealed the structural basis for the inhibition of β-GUS by baicalein and baicalin. The results above provide a new idea for the development of drug therapy for adjuvant chemotherapy and theoretical guidance for the optimization of molecular structure targeting β-GUS.Graphical

Characterization of Extractable and Non-Extractable Phenols and Betalains in Berrycactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) and Its Chemoprotective Effect in Early Stage of Colon Cancer In Vivo.

This research identified the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the extractable (EP) and non-extractable (NEP) polyphenol fractions of berrycactus (BC). Additionally, the effects of BC and its residue (BCR) on preventing AOM/DSS-induced early colon carcinogenesis were evaluated in vivo. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 12/group): healthy control (C), AOM/DSS, BC, BCR, BC+AOM/DSS, and BCR+AOM/DSS. NEP was obtained through acid hydrolysis using H2SO4 and HCl (1 M or 4 M). The HCl-NEP fraction exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, while condensed tannins were more abundant in the H2SO4-NEP fraction. A total of 33 polyphenols were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MSE in both EP and NEP, some of which were novel to BC. Both NEP hydrolysates demonstrated significant total antioxidant capacity (TEAC), with HCl-NEP exhibiting the highest ORAC values. The BC+AOM/DSS and BCR+AOM/DSS groups exhibited fewer aberrant crypt foci (p < 0.05), reduced colonic epithelial injury, and presented lower fecal β-glucuronidase activity, when compared to AOM/DSS group. No differences in butyric acid concentrations were observed between groups. This study presents novel bioactive compounds in EP and NEP from BC that contribute to chemopreventive effects in early colon carcinogenesis, while reducing fecal β-glucuronidase activity and preserving colonic mucosal integrity.

Improvement and application of vacuum-infiltration system in tomato.

The Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system has been developed and applied to various plants as an alternative to stable transformation. However, its application in tomatoes is still limited due to low expression efficiency. In this study, we describe an improved vacuum-infiltration system that can be used in both tomato fruits and leaves. Notably, this study is the first report of vacuum infiltration in attached tomato fruits. The feasibility of the improved vacuum-infiltration system in Micro-Tom tomato was confirmed by various assays, including multiple fluorescent protein expression analysis, β-glucuronidase activity analysis, and RUBY reporter visualization. Subsequently, the improved vacuum-infiltration system was successfully applied to tomato biotechnology research. Herein, a trichome-specific promoter in tomato was identified that can drive the directional synthesis of specific plant natural products (PNPs). Additionally, based on the assessment results of the improved vacuum-infiltration system, we obtained a flavonoid-rich tomato variety through the stable transformation of AmRosea and AmDelila. In a significant practical application, we successfully synthesized the high-value scutellarin in tomato, which provides an alternative route for the production of PNPs from plants. In addition, the improved vacuum-infiltration system has been demonstrated to be suitable for commercial tomato varieties ('Emerald' and 'Provence') as well. The improved vacuum-infiltration system not only speeds up fundamental and applied research in tomato but also offers an additional powerful tool for advancing tomato synthetic biology research.

D-glucaro-1,4-lactone improves Diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats via the uric acid-ROS pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLiuwei dihuang pills is a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine with various anti-cancer properties. Over 50 pharmaceutical manufacturers produce Liuwei dihuang pills in China and an estimated millions of people around the world orally take it every day. D-glucaro-1,4-lactone (1,4-GL) was quantified to be about 12.0 mg/g in Liuwei dihuang pills and a primary bioactive component of it inhibiting the activity of β-glucuronidase in vivo. 1,4-GL can prevent and effectively inhibit various types of cancer. However, its exact mechanism of action remains unknown. The study would justify the traditional usage of Liuwei dihuang pills against cancers. Aim of the study1,4-GL, a bioactive ingredient derived from Liuwei dihuang pills, a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine, could delay the progression of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. The mechanism underpinning the effect, however, remains poorly understood. Materials and methodsHealthy and HCC rats were treated with or without 1,4-GL (40.0 mg/kg) and 1HNMR-based metabonomic analysis was employed. 10 metabolites in uric acid pathway were quantitatively determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The expression of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), SLC2A9 mRNA, and SLC2A9 protein was determined using RT-qPCR and Western Blot. The effect of 1,4-GL on HCC-LM3 cells was verified in vitro. The alterations of ROS activity, SLC2A9 and XDH gene levels were observed in NCTC-1469 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after 1,4-GL treatment. ResultsAfter the intervention of 1,4-GL, improved pathological morphology, liver lesions in HCC rats was observed with restored serum levels of AFP, AST, ALP, γ-GGT and Fisher's ratio. Hepatic metabonomics revealed that puring metabolism were significantly regulated by 1,4-GL in HCC rats. Uric acid, xanthine and hypoxanthine levels were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS and found to be nearly restored to control levels after 1,4-GL treatment in HCC rats. Changes in xanthine oxidase activity, XDH mRNA expression, and SLC2A9 mRNA and protein expression were also reversed. 1,4-GL treatment in LM3 HCC cells were consistent with the results in vivo. Furthermore, oxidative stress indicators such as T-SOD, GSH, CAT and MDA in serum and liver were improved after HCC rats treated with 1,4-GL. In vitro, 1,4-GL was observed to reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced ROS levels in NCTC-1469 cells with enhanced mRNA and protein expression of SLC2A9 and decreased mRNA level of XDH. ConclusionThe protective effects of 1,4-GL against DEN-induced HCC by reducing uric acid and ROS levels due to down-regulation of uric acid production and up-regulation of SLC2A9 expressions. 1,4-GL may represent a novel treatment that improves recovery from HCC by targeting uric acid-ROS pathway.

Investigation of the inhibitory activity of triterpenoids isolated from Actinidia polygama stems against β-glucuronidase via enzyme kinetics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics analyses

Actinidia polygama, well-known for its traditional medicinal properties, has garnered significant attention due to its distinctive chemical composition. In this study, we isolated and structurally elucidated 11 known compounds, including a monoterpene glycoside (1), eight triterpenoids (2–9), and two lignan glycosides (10 and 11), from A. polygama stems. Notably, the inhibitory activity of these compounds on β-glucuronidase activity was evaluated for the first time. Our results show that 2α,3α,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4), strongly inhibited β-glucuronidase (IC50 = 14.36 ± 0.42 μM) to a degree much higher than that of the positive control (d-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone, DSA; IC50 = 16.30 ± 0.21 μM). Furthermore, the results of an enzyme kinetics analysis indicate that compound 4 acts as a non-competitive inhibitor of β-glucuronidase. Finally, the findings from molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the inhibition mode of compound 4, its interaction with the allosteric site of β-glucuronidase, and the stability of the complex in the bound state.

Supplementation with a Probiotic Formula Having β-Glucuronidase Activity Modulates Serum Estrogen Levels in Healthy Peri- and Postmenopausal Women.

Declines in estrogen levels occur in women transitioning to menopause. Estrogen hormones play important roles in multiple systems of the body, and estrogen loss is associated with a variety of symptoms that can decrease quality of life. The gut microbiota is involved in regulating endogenous estrogen levels. A portion of estrogen glucuronides can be reactivated in the gut by the microbial enzyme β-glucuronidase, and the resulting free estrogens can return to the bloodstream. Here, we carried out in vitro screening of β-glucuronidase activities for 84 strains belonging to 16 different species of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and found that one and three strains of Levilactobacillus brevis and Lacticasebacillus rhamnosus, respectively, can deconjugate estrogens. Among these strains, L. brevis KABP052 had the highest β-glucuronidase activity. Moreover, in an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we demonstrated that serum estrogen levels in healthy peri- and postmenopausal women given a probiotic formula containing KABP052 were maintained over time, whereas levels significantly decreased in the group given a placebo. Significantly higher levels of estradiol (31.62 ± 7.97 pg/mL vs. 25.12 ± 8.17 pg/mL) and estrone (21.38 ± 8.57 pg/mL vs. 13.18 ± 8.77 pg/mL) were observed in the probiotic versus placebo group after 12 weeks of intervention. This clinical study demonstrated for the first time the estrogen modulation capacity of a probiotic formula containing a bacterial strain having β-glucuronidase activity in women during the menopausal transition and formed the basis for future investigations using probiotics in the menopausal population.

Endometrial microbial dysbiosis and metabolic alteration promote the development of endometrial cancer.

Emerging evidence suggests that the endometrial microbiome plays important roles in the development of endometrial cancer (EC). Here, we evaluate stage-specific roles of microbial dysbiosis and metabolic disorders in patients with EC, patients with endometrial hyperplasia (EH), and patients afflicted with benign uterine conditions (CK). This prospective cohort study included 33 women with EC, 15 women with endometrial EH, and 15 women with benign uterine conditions (CK) from November 2022 to September 2023. Different typical endometrial samples were imaged with a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. The endometrial microbiome was assessed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and the ITS1 to fill the gap in relation to the study of the uterine fungal microbiome. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was used to identify and quantify metabolic changes among these groups. The endometrial microbiome revealed that there is a structural microbiome shift and an increase in the α-diversity in the EC and EH cases, distinguishable from the benign cases, especially the fungal community structure. The fungal microbiome from patients with EC and EH was altered relative to controls and dominated by Penicillium sp. By contrast, Sarocladium was more abundant in controls. Significant differences were observed in the composition and content of compounds between benign cases and EC, especially estradiol-like metabolism-related substances. Altered microbiota was correlated with the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-11, transforming growth factor-beta, and β-glucuronidase activity especially the relative abundance increase of Penicillium sp. This study suggested that the endometrial microbiome is complicit in modulating the development of EC such as estrogen activity and a pro-inflammatory response. Our work provides a new insight into the endometrial microbiome from a perspective of stages, which opens up new avenues for EC prognosis and therapy.

Benefits of maternal pectin supplementation in gestation diet on vaginal microbiota of sows and intestinal health of newborn piglets.

Pectin is a proven prebiotic and widely used in human health products. This study aims to assess the impact of dietary pectin supplementation during gestation on sow vaginal microbiota and the offspring's intestinal composition. Thirty sows were randomly allocated to two groups and fed a standard diet (CON) or a standard diet supplemented with 3 g/kg pectin (PEC). Blood, feces, and vaginal swab samples from the sows and blood, intestines issue, and colonic content samples from the offspring were collected and analyzed. The results indicate that the relative abundance of vaginal Lactobacillus was notably enhanced in the PEC group and fecal β-glucuronidase (β-G) activity and plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) concentration were also significantly increased in the PEC group. Newborn piglets were found to host different microbial communities as well. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria dominated in the CON group, and Firmicutes was predominant in the PEC group. Newborn piglets in the PEC group had a lower interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in their plasma. The expression of intestinal cytokines of offspring was improved as well. Villus height and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) in the PEC group were extremely higher than those in the CON group. In conclusion, dietary pectin supplementation can be of benefit to both sows and newborn piglets.

Community assembly of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in pure and mixed Pinus massoniana forests

Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi play an important role in nutrient cycling and community ecological dynamics and are widely acknowledged as important components of forest ecosystems. However, little information is available regarding EcM fungal community structure or the possible relationship between EcM fungi, soil properties, and forestry activities in Pinus massoniana forests. In this study, we evaluated soil properties, extracellular enzyme activities, and fungal diversity and community composition in root and soil samples from pure Pinus massoniana natural forests, pure P. massoniana plantations, and P. massoniana and Liquidambar gracilipes mixed forests. The mixed forest showed the highest EcM fungal diversity in both root and bulk soil samples. Community composition and co-occurrence network structures differed significantly between forest types. Variation in the EcM fungal community was significantly correlated with the activities of β-glucuronidase and β−1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, whereas non-EcM fungal community characteristics were significantly correlated with β-1,4-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase activities. Furthermore, stochastic processes predominantly drove the assembly of both EcM and non-EcM fungal communities, while deterministic processes exerted greater influence on soil fungal communities in mixed forests compared to pure forests. Our findings may inform a deeper understanding of how the assembly processes and environmental roles of subterranean fungal communities differ between mixed and pure plantations and may provide insights for how to promote forest sustainability in subtropical areas.

Disease characteristics, effectiveness, and safety of vestronidase alfa for the treatment of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis VII in a novel, longitudinal, multicenter disease monitoring program

BackgroundMucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) is an ultra-rare, autosomal recessive, debilitating, progressive lysosomal storage disease caused by reduced activity of β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzyme. Vestronidase alfa (recombinant human GUS) intravenous enzyme replacement therapy is an approved treatment for patients with MPS VII.MethodsThis disease monitoring program (DMP) is an ongoing, multicenter observational study collecting standardized real-world data from patients with MPS VII (N ≈ 50 planned) treated with vestronidase alfa or any other management approach. Data are monitored and recorded in compliance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines and planned interim analyses of captured data are performed annually. Here we summarize the safety and efficacy outcomes as of 17 November 2022.ResultsAs of the data cutoff date, 35 patients were enrolled: 28 in the Treated Group and seven in the Untreated Group. Mean (SD) age at MPS VII diagnosis was 4.5 (4.0) years (range, 0.0 to 12.4 years), and mean (SD) age at DMP enrollment was 13.9 (11.1) years (range, 1.5 to 50.2 years). Ten patients (29%) had a history of nonimmune hydrops fetalis. In the 23 patients who initiated treatment prior to DMP enrollment, substantial changes in mean excretion from initial baseline to DMP enrollment were observed for the three urinary glycosaminoglycans (uGAGs): dermatan sulfate (DS), -84%; chondroitin sulfate (CS), -55%; heparan sulfate (HS), -42%. Also in this group, mean reduction from initial baseline to months 6, 12, and 24 were maintained for uGAG DS (-84%, -87%, -89%, respectively), CS (-70%, -71%, -76%, respectively), and HS (+ 3%, -32%, and − 41%, respectively). All adverse events (AEs) were consistent with the known vestronidase alfa safety profile. No patients discontinued vestronidase alfa. One patient died.ConclusionsTo date, the DMP has collected invaluable MPS VII disease characteristic data. The benefit-risk profile of vestronidase alfa remains unchanged and favorable for its use in the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with MPS VII. Reductions in DS and CS uGAG demonstrate effectiveness of vestronidase alfa to Month 24. Enrollment is ongoing.

The Probiotic Properties and Safety of Limosilactobacillus mucosae NK41 and Bifidobacterium longum NK46.

Probiotics should possess specific properties to exert beneficial effects, and their safety must be ensured for human consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties and safety of Limosilactobacillus mucosae NK41 and Bifidobacterium longum NK46 isolated from human feces in vitro. Both strains exhibited high resistance to simulated gastrointestinal fluid. Furthermore, probiotic-related cell surface characteristics including auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity were assessed by measuring the absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm, which demonstrated good auto-aggregation ability and affinity for xylene, indicating their effective adhesion to Caco-2 cells. In addition, hemolytic, gelatinase, and β-glucuronidase activities were found to be negative in both strains. The susceptibility to nine commonly used antibiotics was assessed using the broth macrodilution method, which demonstrated that both strains were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. Furthermore, L. mucosae NK41 and B. longum NK46 produced significantly higher levels of L-lactate (71.8 ± 0.7% and 97.8 ± 0.4%) than D-lactate (28.2 ± 0.7% and 2.2 ± 0.4%, respectively). Using PCR amplification to investigate genes associated with virulence factors, we found that neither strain harbored any virulence genes. These findings suggest that L. mucosae NK41 and B. longum NK46 have the potential to be used as probiotics and are considered safe for human consumption.

Effects of Potential Prebiotics from Codium fragile on Intestinal Diseases

This study examined the effects of an extract of the green algae Codium fragile (hereafter referred to as CFE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. As the administration of CFE increased, the proliferation of Akkermansia muciniphila, which is a key player in metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, also increased. After CFE administration for 10 weeks, acetic acid was identified as the major metabolite in mouse cecum and β-glucuronidase activity in mouse fecesdecreased. Further, CFE significantly alleviated the acute intestinal injury induced by DSS administration, including DAI score, colon length, and histological score. The experimental group also displayed indications of significantly lower neutrophil activity and inflammation. In conclusion, the protective effect of CFE against DSS colitis suggests its clinical use by IBD patients.

Deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen conjugates in sewage and wastewater treatment plant: New insights from model prediction and on-site investigations

Natural estrogen conjugates play important roles in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), but their deconjugation potentials are poorly understood. This work is the first to investigate the relationships between the enzyme activities of arylsulfatase/β-glucuronidase and deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen conjugates. This work led to three important findings. First, the enzyme activity of β-glucuronidase in sewage is far higher than that of arylsulfatase, while their corresponding activities in activated sludge were similar. Second, a model based on β-glucuronidase could successfully predict the deconjugation potentials of natural estrogen glucuronide conjugates in sewage. Third, the enzyme activity of arylsulfatase in sewage was too low to lead to evident deconjugation of sulfate conjugates, which means that the deconjugation rate of estrogen sulfates can be regarded as zero. By comparing their theoretical removal based on enzyme activity and on-site investigation, it is reasonable to conclude that reverse deconjugation of estrogen conjugates (i.e., conjugation of natural estrogens to form conjugated estrogens) likely exist in WWTP, which explains well why natural estrogen conjugates cannot be effectively removed in WWTP. Meanwhile, this work provides new insights how to improve the removal performance of WWTP on natural estrogen conjugates. SynopsisThis work is the first to show how arylsulfatase/β-glucuronidase could affect deconjugation of natural estrogen conjugates and possible way to enhance their removal in wastewater treatment plant.

Genome-based taxonomic identification and safety assessment of an Enterococcus strain isolated from a homemade dairy product.

The aim of this study was to explore the taxonomic identification and evaluate the safety of a bacterium, Enterococcus lactis IDCC 2105, isolated from homemade cheese in Korea, using whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis. It sought to identify the species level of this Enterococcus spp., assess its antibiotic resistance, and evaluate its virulence potential. WGS analysis confirmed the bacterial strain IDCC 2105 as E. lactis and identified genes responsible for resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin, specifically msrC, and eatAv, which are chromosomally located, indicating a minimal risk for horizontal gene transfer. The absence of plasmids in E. lactis IDCC 2105 further diminishes the likelihood of resistance gene dissemination. Additionally, our investigation into seven virulence factors, including hemolysis, platelet aggregation, biofilm formation, hyaluronidase, gelatinase, ammonia production, and β-glucuronidase activity, revealed no detectable virulence traits. Although bioinformatic analysis suggested the presence of collagen adhesion genes acm and scm, these were not corroborated by phenotypic virulence assays. Based on these findings, E. lactis IDCC 2105 presents as a safe strain for potential applications, contributing valuable information on its taxonomy, antibiotic resistance profile, and lack of virulence factors, supporting its use in food products.

Draft genome sequences of two β-glucuronidase positive strains of Salmonella enterica subspecies salamae isolated from reptile feces in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Two Salmonella enterica isolates obtained from reptile feces displayed β-glucuronidase activity. Nearly complete genome sequences were obtained after shotgun sequencing and de novo genome assembly. By comparison to reference genomes, both isolates were identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies salamae with the sequence type identified as 1208 and the serotype as 42:r:-.

Stress response membrane protein OsSMP2 negatively regulates rice tolerance to drought.

In a gene chip analysis, rice (Oryza sativa) OsSMP2 gene expression was induced under various abiotic stresses, prompting an investigation into its role in drought resistance and abscisic acid signaling. Subsequent experiments, including qRT-PCR and β-glucuronidase activity detection, affirmed the OsSMP2 gene's predominant induction by drought stress. Subcellular localization experiments indicated the OsSMP2 protein primarily localizes to the cell membrane system. Overexpressing OsSMP2 increased sensitivity to exogenous abscisic acid, reducing drought resistance and leading to reactive oxygen species accumulation under drought stress. Conversely, in simulated drought experiments, OsSMP2-silenced transgenic plants showed significantly longer roots compared with the wild-type Nipponbare. These results suggest that OsSMP2 overexpression negatively affects rice drought resistance, offering valuable insights into molecular mechanisms, and highlight OsSMP2 as a potential target for enhancing crop resilience to drought stress.

Clinical manifestations and genetic mutation analysis of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII in China

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the clinical and genetic features of Chinese patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII), thereby improving early detection, disease management, and patient outcomes. MethodsA retrospective review of medical records for five patients presenting with coarse facial features, rib protrusion, chest deformities, and scoliosis was conducted. Exome sequencing was employed to identify causative genetic mutations. ResultsThe study comprised five patients (four males, one female) with disease onset at six months of age (range: 0–1.5 years). Common symptoms included coarse facial features, skeletal abnormalities, delayed motor and language development, and intellectual disability. Approximately 80% of the patients exhibited multiple skeletal dysplasias, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, and snoring; 60% had hernias; 40% reported hearing loss and hepatosplenomegaly. Less frequent manifestations were short stature, valvular heart disease, non-immune hydrops fetalis, and corneal opacity. All patients demonstrated elevated urine glycosaminoglycans levels and absent β-glucuronidase activity in leukocytes. Exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations in the GUSB gene in all four tested patients, uncovering seven mutations in total, three of which were novel (c.189G > A, c.869C > T, and c.1745 T > C). Furthermore, prenatal diagnosis through chorionic villus sampling in subsequent pregnancies of one patient's mother revealed both fetuses had normal β-glucuronidase activity and no disease-causing mutations in the GUSB gene. ConclusionThe study's patients all presented with classic symptoms of MPS VII due to β-glucuronidase deficiency, with three new pathogenic mutations identified in the GUSB gene. Genetic counseling and prenatal testing were highlighted as crucial for disease prevention.