The emergence of the tetrathionate reductase operon in the Escherichia coli/Shigella pan-genome.

Escherichia coli pathogenic variants (pathovars) are generally characterized by defined virulence traits and are susceptible to the evolution of hybridized identities due to the considerable plasticity of the E. coli genome. We have isolated a strain from a purified diet intended for research animals that further demonstrates the ability of E. coli to acquire novel genetic elements leading potentially to emergent new pathovars. Utilizing next generation sequencing to obtain a whole genome profile, we report an atypical strain of E. coli, EcoFA807-17, possessing a tetrathionate reductase (ttr) operon, which enables the utilization of tetrathionate as an electron acceptor, thus facilitating respiration in anaerobic environments such as the mammalian gut. The ttr operon is a potent virulence factor for several enteric pathogens, most prominently Salmonella enterica. However, the presence of chromosomally integrated tetrathionate reductase genes does not appear to have been previously reported in wild-type E. coli or Shigella. Accordingly, it is possible that the appearance of this virulence factor may signal the evolution of new mechanisms of pathogenicity in E. coli and Shigella and may potentially alter the effectiveness of existing assays using tetrathionate reductase as a unique marker for the detection of Salmonella enterica.

The estrogenic content of rodent diets, bedding, cages, and water bottles and its effect on bisphenol A studies.

The lowest observed adverse effect level for bisphenol A (BPA) in mice and rats is currently poorly defined due to inconsistent study designs and results in published studies. The objectives of the current study were to (1) compare the estrogenic content of rodent diets, bedding, cages, and water bottles to evaluate their impact on the estrogenic activity of BPA and (2) review the literature on BPA to determine the most frequently reported diets, beddings, cages, and water bottles used in animal studies. Our literature review indicated that low-dose BPA animal studies have inconsistent results and that factors contributing to this inconsistency are the uses of high-phytoestrogen diets and the different routes of exposure. In 44% (76 of 172) of all reports, rodents were exposed to BPA via the subcutaneous route. Our literature review further indicated that the type of diet, bedding, caging, and water bottles used in BPA studies were not always reported. Only 37% (64 of 172) of the reports described the diet used. In light of these findings, we recommend the use of a diet containing low levels of phytoestrogen (less than 20 µg/g diet) and metabolizable energy (approximately 3.1 kcal/g diet) and estrogen-free bedding, cages, and water bottles for studies evaluating the estrogenic activity of endocrine-disrupting compounds such as BPA. The oral route of BPA exposure should be used when results are to be extrapolated to humans.

The 1.5 Å crystal structure of human receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) ectodomains reveals unique features determining ligand binding.

Interaction of the pattern recognition receptor, RAGE with key ligands such as advanced glycation end products (AGE), S100 proteins, amyloid ß, and HMGB1 has been linked to diabetic complications, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. To help answer the question of how a single receptor can recognize and respond to a diverse set of ligands we have investigated the structure and binding properties of the first two extracellular domains of human RAGE, which are implicated in various ligand binding and subsequent signaling events. The 1.5-Å crystal structure reveals an elongated molecule with a large basic patch and a large hydrophobic patch, both highly conserved. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and deletion experiments indicate S100B recognition by RAGE is an entropically driven process involving hydrophobic interaction that is dependent on Ca(2+) and on residues in the C'D loop (residues 54-67) of domain 1. In contrast, competition experiments using gel shift assays suggest that RAGE interaction with AGE is driven by the recognition of negative charges on AGE-proteins. We also demonstrate that RAGE can bind to dsDNA and dsRNA. These findings reveal versatile structural features of RAGE that help explain its ability to recognize of multiple ligands.

The 1.4 angstrom crystal structure of the human oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor lox-1.

The lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (Lox-1) mediates the recognition and internalization of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein by vascular endothelial cells. This interaction results in a number of pro-atherogenic cellular responses that probably play a significant role in the pathology of atherosclerosis. The 1.4 angstrom crystal structure of the extracellular C-type lectin-like domain of human Lox-1 reveals a heart-shaped homodimer with a ridge of six basic amino acids extending diagonally across the apolar top of Lox-1, a central hydrophobic tunnel that extends through the entire molecule, and an electrostatically neutral patch of 12 charged residues that resides next to the tunnel at each opening. Based on the arrangement of critical binding residues on the Lox-1 structure, we propose a binding mode for the recognition of modified low density lipoprotein and other Lox-1 ligands.