Exploring the inhibitory potential of in silico-designed small peptides on Helicobacter pylori Hp0231 (DsbK), a periplasmic oxidoreductase involved in disulfide bond formation.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the gastric epithelium, which affects millions of people worldwide. H. pylori infection can lead to various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Conventional antibiotic therapies face challenges due to increasing antibiotic resistance and patient non-compliance, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatment approaches. In this study, we focused on Hp0231 (DsbK), an essential component of the H. pylori Dsb (disulfide bond) oxidative pathway, and investigated peptide-based inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy. Methods: Three inhibitory peptides designed by computational modeling were evaluated for their effectiveness using a time-resolved fluorescence assay. We also examined the binding affinity between Hp0231 and the peptides using microscale thermophoresis. Results and discussion: Our findings demonstrate that in silico-designed synthetic peptides can effectively inhibit Hp0231-mediated peptide oxidation. Targeting Hp0231 oxidase activity could attenuate H. pylori virulence without compromising bacterial viability. Therefore, peptide-based inhibitors of Hp0231 could be candidates for the development of new targeted strategy, which does not influence the composition of the natural human microbiome, but deprive the bacterium of its pathogenic properties.

Helicobacter pylori treatment in the post-antibiotics era-searching for new drug targets.

Helicobacter pylori, a member of Epsilonproteobacteria, is a Gram-negative microaerophilic bacterium that colonizes gastric mucosa of about 50% of the human population. Although most infections caused by H. pylori are asymptomatic, the microorganism is strongly associated with serious diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer, and it is classified as a group I carcinogen. The prevalence of H. pylori infections varies worldwide. The H. pylori genotype, host gene polymorphisms, and environmental factors determine the type of induced disease. Currently, the most common therapy to treat H. pylori is the first line clarithromycin-based triple therapy or a quadruple therapy replacing clarithromycin with new antibiotics. Despite the enormous recent effort to introduce new therapeutic regimens to combat this pathogen, treatment for H. pylori still fails in more than 20% of patients, mainly due to the increased prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains. In this review we present recent progress aimed at designing new anti-H. pylori strategies to combat this pathogen. Some novel therapeutic regimens will potentially be used as an extra constituent of antibiotic therapy, and others may replace current antibiotic treatments. KEY POINTS: • Attempts to improve eradication rate of H. pylori infection. • Searching for new drug targets in anti-Helicobacter therapies.

Thioloxidoreductase HP0231 of Helicobacter pylori impacts HopQ-dependent CagA translocation.

Thioloxidoreductase HP0231 of Helicobacter pylori plays essential roles in gastric colonization and related gastric pathology. Comparative proteomics and analysis of complexes between HP0231 and its protein substrates suggested that several Hop proteins are its targets. HP0231 is a dimeric oxidoreductase that functions in an oxidizing Dsb (disulfide bonds) pathway of H. pylori. H. pylori HopQ possesses six cysteine residues, which generate three consecutive disulfide bridges. Comparison of the redox state of HopQ in wild-type cells to that in hp0231-mutated cells clearly indicated that HopQ is a substrate of HP0231. HopQ binds CEACAM1, 3, 5 and 6 (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules). This interaction enables T4SS-mediated translocation of CagA into host cells and induces host signaling. Site directed mutagenesis of HopQ (changing cysteine residues into serine) and analysis of the functioning of HopQ variants showed that HP0231 influences the delivery of CagA into host cells, in part through its impact on HopQ redox state. Introduction of a C382S mutation into HopQ significantly affects its reaction with CEACAM receptors, which disturbs T4SS functioning and CagA delivery. An additional effect of HP0231 on other adhesins and their redox state, resulting in their functional impairment, cannot be excluded.

Impact of selected amino acids of HP0377 (Helicobacter pylori thiol oxidoreductase) on its functioning as a CcmG (cytochrome c maturation) protein and Dsb (disulfide bond) isomerase.

Helicobacter pylori HP0377 is a thiol oxidoreductase, a member of the CcmG family involved in cytochrome biogenesis, as previously shown by in vitro experiments. In this report, we document that HP0377 also acts in vivo in the cytochrome assembly process in Bacillus subtilis, where it complements the lack of ResA. However, unlike other characterized proteins in this family, HP0377 is a dithiol reductase and isomerase. We elucidated how the amino acid composition of its active site modulates its functionality. We demonstrated that cis-proline (P156) is involved in its interaction with the redox partner (CcdA), as a P156T HP0377 variant is inactive in vivo and is present in the oxidized form in B. subtilis. Furthermore, we showed that engineering the HP0377 active motif by changing CSYC motif into CSYS or SSYC, clearly diminishes two activities (reduction and isomerization) of the protein. Whereas HP0377CSYA is inactive in reduction as well as in isomerization, HP0377CSYS retains reductive activity. Also, replacement of F95 by Q decreases its ability to regenerate scRNase and does not influence the reductive activity of HP0377CSYS towards apocytochrome c. HP0377 is also distinguished from other CcmGs as it forms a 2:1 complex with apocytochrome c. Phylogenetic analyses showed that, although HP0377 is capable of complementing ResA in Bacillus subtilis, its thioredoxin domain has a different origin, presumably common to DsbC.

In vitro characteristics of Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from the chicken digestive tract and their role in the inhibition of Campylobacter colonization.

Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections are the leading cause of bacterial diarrheal illnesses in humans. Many epidemiological studies indicate that improperly prepared meat from chickens that carry a high load of Campylobacter in their intestinal tracts is the key source of human infections. LAB, mainly members of the Lactococcus and Lactobacillus genera, increasingly have been tested as vehicles for the delivery of heterologous bacterial or viral antigens to animal mucosal immune systems. Thus, the objective of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from chickens bred in Poland. Their ability to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain was also analyzed. First, the influence of the different chicken rearing systems was evaluated, especially the effect of diets on the Lactobacillus species that colonize the gut of chickens. Next, selected strains were analyzed in terms of their anti-Campylobacter activity in vitro; potential probiotic traits such as adhesion properties, bile and low pH tolerance; and their ability to grow on a defined carbon source. Given that improperly prepared chicken meat is the main source of human infection by Campylobacter, the selected strains were also assessed for their ability to inhibit Campylobacter colonization in the bird's intestine. These experiments revealed enormous physiological diversity among the Lactobacillus genus strains. Altogether, our results showed that L. plantarum strains isolated from the digestive tracts of chickens bred in Poland displayed some probiotic attributes in vitro and were able to decrease the level of bird gut colonization by C. jejuni strain. This suggests that they can be employed as vectors to deliver Campylobacter immunodominant proteins to the bird's immune system to strengthen the efficacy of in ovo vaccination.

Engineering of Helicobacter pylori Dimeric Oxidoreductase DsbK (HP0231).

The formation of disulfide bonds that are catalyzed by proteins of the Dsb (disulfide bond) family is crucial for the correct folding of many extracytoplasmic proteins. Thus, this formation plays an essential, pivotal role in the assembly of many virulence factors. The Helicobacter pylori disulfide bond-forming system is uncomplicated compared to the best-characterized Escherichia coli Dsb pathways. It possesses only two extracytoplasmic Dsb proteins named HP0377 and HP0231. As previously shown, HP0377 is a reductase involved in the process of cytochrome c maturation. Additionally, it also possesses disulfide isomerase activity. HP0231 was the first periplasmic dimeric oxidoreductase involved in disulfide generation to be described. Although HP0231 function is critical for oxidative protein folding, its structure resembles that of dimeric EcDsbG, which does not confer this activity. However, the HP0231 catalytic motifs (CXXC and the so-called cis-Pro loop) are identical to that of monomeric EcDsbA. To understand the functioning of HP0231, we decided to study the relations between its sequence, structure and activity through an extensive analysis of various HP0231 point mutants, using in vivo and in vitro strategies. Our work shows the crucial role of the cis-Pro loop, as changing valine to threonine in this motif completely abolishes the protein function in vivo. Functioning of HP0231 is conditioned by the combination of CXXC and the cis-Pro loop, as replacing the HP0231 CXXC motif by the motif from EcDsbG or EcDsbC results in bifunctional protein, at least in E. coli. We also showed that the dimerization domain of HP0231 ensures contact with its substrates. Moreover, the activity of this oxidase is independent on the structure of the catalytic domain. Finally, we showed that HP0231 chaperone activity is independent of its redox function.

Evaluation of a protective effect of in ovo delivered Campylobacter jejuni OMVs.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most prevalent cause of a food-borne gastroenteritis in the developed world, with poultry being the main source of infection. Campylobacter jejuni, like other Gram-negative bacteria, constitutively releases outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). OMVs are highly immunogenic, can be taken up by mammalian cells, and are easily modifiable by recombinant engineering. We have tested their usefulness for an oral (in ovo) vaccination of chickens. Four groups of 18-day-old chicken embryos (164 animals) underwent injection of wt C. jejuni OMVs or modified OMVs or PBS into the amniotic fluid. The OMVs modifications relied on overexpression of either a complete wt cjaA gene or the C20A mutant that relocates to the periplasm. Fourteen days post-hatch chicks were orally challenged with live C. jejuni strain. Cecum colonization parameters were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test. The wtOMVs and OMVs with wtCjaA overexpression were found to confer significant protection of chicken against C. jejuni (p = 0.03 and p = 0.013, respectively) in comparison to PBS controls and are promising candidates for further in ovo vaccine development.

Chicken Anti-Campylobacter Vaccine - Comparison of Various Carriers and Routes of Immunization.

Campylobacter spp, especially the species Campylobacter jejuni, are important human enteropathogens responsible for millions of cases of gastro-intestinal disease worldwide every year. C. jejuni is a zoonotic pathogen, and poultry meat that has been contaminated by microorganisms is recognized as a key source of human infections. Although numerous strategies have been developed and experimentally checked to generate chicken vaccines, the results have so far had limited success. In this study, we explored the potential use of non-live carriers of Campylobacter antigen to combat Campylobacter in poultry. First, we assessed the effectiveness of immunization with orally or subcutaneously delivered Gram-positive Enhancer Matrix (GEM) particles carrying two Campylobacter antigens: CjaA and CjaD. These two immunization routes using GEMs as the vector did not protect against Campylobacter colonization. Thus, we next assessed the efficacy of in ovo immunization using various delivery systems: GEM particles and liposomes. The hybrid protein rCjaAD, which is CjaA presenting CjaD epitopes on its surface, was employed as a model antigen. We found that rCjaAD administered in ovo at embryonic development day 18 by both delivery systems resulted in significant levels of protection after challenge with a heterologous C. jejuni strain. In practice, in ovo chicken vaccination is used by the poultry industry to protect birds against several viral diseases. Our work showed that this means of delivery is also efficacious with respect to commensal bacteria such as Campylobacter. In this study, we evaluated the protection after one dose of vaccine given in ovo. We speculate that the level of protection may be increased by a post-hatch booster of orally delivered antigens.

Cell Wall Anchoring of the Campylobacter Antigens to Lactococcus lactis.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most frequent cause of human food-borne gastroenteritis and chicken meat is the main source of infection. Recent studies showed that broiler chicken immunization against Campylobacter should be the most efficient way to lower the number of human infections by this pathogen. Induction of the mucosal immune system after oral antigen administration should provide protective immunity to chickens. In this work we tested the usefulness of Lactococcus lactis, the most extensively studied lactic acid bacterium, as a delivery vector for Campylobacter antigens. First we constructed hybrid protein - CjaA antigen presenting CjaD peptide epitopes on its surface. We showed that specific rabbit anti-rCjaAD serum reacted strongly with both CjaA and CjaD produced by a wild type C. jejuni strain. Next, rCjaAD and CjaA were fused to the C-terminus of the L. lactis YndF containing the LPTXG motif. The genes expressing these proteins were transcribed under control of the L. lactis Usp45 promoter and their products contain the Usp45 signal sequences. This strategy ensures a cell surface location of both analyzed proteins, which was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. In order to evaluate the impact of antigen location on vaccine prototype efficacy, a L. lactis strain producing cytoplasm-located rCjaAD was also generated. Animal experiments showed a decrease of Campylobacter cecal load in vaccinated birds as compared with the control group and showed that the L. lactis harboring the surface-exposed rCjaAD antigen afforded greater protection than the L. lactis producing cytoplasm-located rCjaAD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to employ Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains as a mucosal delivery vehicle for chicken immunization. Although the observed reduction of chicken colonization by Campylobacter resulting from vaccination was rather moderate, the experiments showed that LAB strains can be considered as an alternative vector to deliver heterologous antigens to the bird immune system. Additionally, the analysis of the structure and immunogenicity of the generated rCjaAD hybrid protein showed that the CjaA antigen can be considered as a starting point to construct multiepitope anti-Campylobacter vaccines.

Functional and evolutionary analyses of Helicobacter pylori HP0231 (DsbK) protein with strong oxidative and chaperone activity characterized by a highly diverged dimerization domain.

Helicobacter pylori does not encode the classical DsbA/DsbB oxidoreductases that are crucial for oxidative folding of extracytoplasmic proteins. Instead, this microorganism encodes an untypical two proteins playing a role in disulfide bond formation - periplasmic HP0231, which structure resembles that of EcDsbC/DsbG, and its redox partner, a membrane protein HpDsbI (HP0595) with a ß-propeller structure. The aim of presented work was to assess relations between HP0231 structure and function. We showed that HP0231 is most closely related evolutionarily to the catalytic domain of DsbG, even though it possesses a catalytic motif typical for canonical DsbA proteins. Similarly, the highly diverged N-terminal dimerization domain is homologous to the dimerization domain of DsbG. To better understand the functioning of this atypical oxidoreductase, we examined its activity using in vivo and in vitro experiments. We found that HP0231 exhibits oxidizing and chaperone activities but no isomerizing activity, even though H. pylori does not contain a classical DsbC. We also show that HP0231 is not involved in the introduction of disulfide bonds into HcpC (Helicobacter cysteine-rich protein C), a protein involved in the modulation of the H. pylori interaction with its host. Additionally, we also constructed a truncated version of HP0231 lacking the dimerization domain, denoted HP0231m, and showed that it acts in Escherichia coli cells in a DsbB-dependent manner. In contrast, HP0231m and classical monomeric EcDsbA (E. coli DsbA protein) were both unable to complement the lack of HP0231 in H. pylori cells, though they exist in oxidized forms. HP0231m is inactive in the insulin reduction assay and possesses high chaperone activity, in contrast to EcDsbA. In conclusion, HP0231 combines oxidative functions characteristic of DsbA proteins and chaperone activity characteristic of DsbC/DsbG, and it lacks isomerization activity.

Diversity of the Epsilonproteobacteria Dsb (disulfide bond) systems.

The bacterial proteins of the Dsb family-important components of the post-translational protein modification system-catalyze the formation of disulfide bridges, a process that is crucial for protein structure stabilization and activity. Dsb systems play an essential role in the assembly of many virulence factors. Recent rapid advances in global analysis of bacteria have thrown light on the enormous diversity among bacterial Dsb systems. While the Escherichia coli disulfide bond-forming system is quite well understood, the mechanisms of action of Dsb systems in other bacteria, including members of class Epsilonproteobacteria that contain pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria colonizing extremely diverse ecological niches, are poorly characterized. Here we present a review of current knowledge on Epsilonproteobacteria Dsb systems. We have focused on the Dsb systems of Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. because our knowledge about Dsb proteins of Wolinella and Arcobacter spp. is still scarce and comes mainly from bioinformatic studies. Helicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen that colonizes the gastric epithelium of humans with severe consequences. Campylobacter spp. is a leading cause of zoonotic enteric bacterial infections in most developed and developing nations. We focus on various aspects of the diversity of the Dsb systems and their influence on pathogenicity, particularly because Dsb proteins are considered as potential targets for a new class of anti-virulence drugs to treat human infections by Campylobacter or Helicobacter spp.

The Campylobacter jejuni RacRS two-component system activates the glutamate synthesis by directly upregulating γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT).

The highly conserved enzyme γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) plays an important role in metabolism of glutathione and glutamine. Yet, the regulation of ggt transcription in prokaryotes is poorly understood. In the human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, GGT is important as it contributes to persistent colonization of the gut. Here we show that the GGT activity in C. jejuni is dependent on a functional RacRS (reduced ability to colonize) two-component system. Electrophoretic mobility shift and luciferase reporter assays indicate that the response regulator RacR binds to a promoter region ~80 bp upstream of the ggt transcriptional start site, which contains a recently identified RacR DNA binding consensus sequence. RacR needs to be phosphorylated to activate the transcription of the ggt gene, which is the case under low oxygen conditions in presence of alternative electron acceptors. A functional GGT and RacR are needed to allow C. jejuni to grow optimally on glutamine as sole carbon source under RacR inducing conditions. However, when additional carbon sources are present C. jejuni is capable of utilizing glutamine independently of GGT. RacR is the first prokaryotic transcription factor known to directly up-regulate both the cytoplasmic [glutamine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT)] as well as the periplasmic (GGT) production of glutamate.

A novel insight into the oxidoreductase activity of Helicobacter pylori HP0231 protein.

BACKGROUND: The formation of a disulfide bond between two cysteine residues stabilizes protein structure. Although we now have a good understanding of the Escherichia coli disulfide formation system, the machineries at work in other bacteria, including pathogens, are poorly characterized. Thus, the objective of this work was to improve our understanding of the disulfide formation machinery of Helicobacter pylori, a leading cause of ulcers and a risk factor for stomach cancer worldwide. METHODS AND RESULTS: The protein HP0231 from H. pylori, a structural counterpart of E. coli DsbG, is the focus of this research. Its function was clarified by using a combination of biochemical, microbiological and genetic approaches. In particular, we determined the biochemical properties of HP0231 as well as its redox state in H. pylori cells. CONCLUSION: Altogether our results show that HP0231 is an oxidoreductase that catalyzes disulfide bond formation in the periplasm. We propose to call it HpDsbA.

The controversy over anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium, member of epsilon-Proteobacteria specifically colonizing the gastric epithelium of humans. It causes one of the most common infections worldwide, affecting about half of the world's population. However, it should be noted that the prevalence of H. pylori, particularly in the Western world, has significantly decreased coinciding with an increase of some autoimmune and allergic diseases, such as asthma. Various epidemiological studies have also documented a negative association between H. pylori colonization and the presence of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and risk of esophageal cancer. Additionally, an upward trend of obesity recently observed in inhabitants of developed countries raised a question about the relationship between H. pylori infection and the human body mass index. The first part of this review describes common, recommended anti-H. pylori treatments. The second part, presents the results of recent experiments aimed at evaluating the association between H. pylori infections and gastro-esophageal diseases, the level of stomach hormones, the human body mass index and allergic diseases. Although some studies suggest an inverse association of H. pylori infection with some health problems of the modern world such as asthma, obesity or GERD, H. pylori should be considered as a harmful human pathogen responsible for serious and sometimes lethal diseases. Thus, many scientists advocate the eradication of H. pylori.

Campylobacter jejuni dsb gene expression is regulated by iron in a Fur-dependent manner and by a translational coupling mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Many bacterial extracytoplasmic proteins are stabilized by intramolecular disulfide bridges that are formed post-translationally between their cysteine residues. This protein modification plays an important role in bacterial pathogenesis, and is facilitated by the Dsb (disulfide bond) family of the redox proteins. These proteins function in two parallel pathways in the periplasmic space: an oxidation pathway and an isomerization pathway. The Dsb oxidative pathway in Campylobacter jejuni is more complex than the one in the laboratory E. coli K-12 strain. RESULTS: In the C. jejuni 81-176 genome, the dsb genes of the oxidative pathway are arranged in three transcriptional units: dsbA2-dsbB-astA, dsbA1 and dba-dsbI. Their transcription responds to an environmental stimulus - iron availability - and is regulated in a Fur-dependent manner. Fur involvement in dsb gene regulation was proven by a reporter gene study in a C. jejuni wild type strain and its isogenic fur mutant. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed that analyzed genes are members of the Fur regulon but each of them is regulated by a disparate mechanism, and both the iron-free and the iron-complexed Fur are able to bind in vitro to the C. jejuni promoter regions. This study led to identification of a new iron- and Fur-regulated promoter that drives dsbA1 gene expression in an indirect way. Moreover, the present work documents that synthesis of DsbI oxidoreductase is controlled by the mechanism of translational coupling. The importance of a secondary dba-dsbI mRNA structure for dsbI mRNA translation was verified by estimating individual dsbI gene expression from its own promoter. CONCLUSIONS: The present work shows that iron concentration is a significant factor in dsb gene transcription. These results support the concept that iron concentration - also through its influence on dsb gene expression - might control the abundance of extracytoplasmic proteins during different stages of infection. Our work further shows that synthesis of the DsbI membrane oxidoreductase is controlled by a translational coupling mechanism. The dba expression is not only essential for the translation of the downstream dsbI gene, but also Dba protein that is produced might regulate the activity and/or stability of DsbI.

Proteomics for development of vaccine.

The success of genome projects has provided us with a vast amount of information on genes of many pathogenic species and has raised hopes for rapid progress in combating infectious diseases, both by construction of new effective vaccines and by creating a new generation of therapeutic drugs. Proteomics, a strategy complementary to the genomic-based approach, when combined with immunomics (looking for immunogenic proteins) and vaccinomics (characterization of host response to immunization), delivers valuable information on pathogen-host cell interaction. It also speeds the identification and detailed characterization of new antigens, which are potential candidates for vaccine development. This review begins with an overview of the global status of vaccinology based on WHO data. The main part of this review describes the impact of proteomic strategies on advancements in constructing effective antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer vaccines. Diverse aspects of disease mechanisms and disease preventions have been investigated by proteomics.

[The influence of bacterial toxins on the carcinogenesis]. / Wplyw toksyn bakteryjnych na proces nowotworzenia.

Bacterial infections may constitute an important risk factor of developing cancer disease. Molecular mechanisms by which bacteria contribute to cancer are extremely complex and still remain not fully understood. So far, it is generally accepted that Helicobacter pylori infections are associated with induction of gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma. Two H. pylori toxins which modulate many cellular functions are VacA and CagA. So far, CagA is the only one known bacterial oncoprotein. However, many other bacteria produce toxins or effector proteins perturbing host cell homeostasis or/and evoking chronic inflammation. Both processes may be associated with tumour formation. Bacterial toxins which interfere, with various host signal transduction pathways, deregulate processes of cell division, proliferation and differentiation and modulate apoptosis. Some toxins cause even direct DNA damage. This review discuss the potential links between action of bacterial toxins and cancer.

AAN82231 protein from uropathogenic E. coli CFT073 is a close paralog of DsbB enzymes and does not belong to the DsbI family.

Dsb proteins control the formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds during the folding of membrane and exported proteins. DsbA is an oxidant that catalyzes formation of disulfide bonds in newly synthesized, and yet unfolded proteins. In order to act catalytically again, it has to be reoxidized by a transmembrane protein DsbB characterized by two pairs of disulfides. DsbB is related to another protein family DsbI, characterized by the presence of only one disulfide, and an additional C-terminal beta-propeller domain. The protein AAN82231 from E. coli strain CFT073 has been recently described as a new member of the DsbI family (Grimshaw et al., 2008). It was found that AAN82231 forms a functional redox pair with DsbL--a newly described DsbA-like protein. Here, we report that AAN82231 shares no characteristic features with the DsbI proteins. Instead, according to phylogenetic analyses AAN82231 clearly belongs to another, previously described subfamily of DsbB paralogs. To facilitate classification of DsbB and DsbI homologs, we propose a new nomenclature system and present an updated phylogenetic analysis of the DsbB superfamily, which comprises the following families: "orthodox" DsbB, its paralogs now named DsbB2 (including AAN82231), DsbI and two groups of so far uncharacterized DsbB paralogs termed DsbB3 and DsbB4. We have also developed a web server dedicated to phylogenetic assignment of DsbB/DsbI candidate proteins that will be identified in the future.

Impact of proteomics on anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) vaccine development.

Tuberculosis is a serious infection disease which causes more than two million deaths annually. The TB pandemic has continued despite widespread use of the only available licensed TB vaccine--Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Additionally, the increasing incidences of multidrug resistant strains and coinfection with HIV mean that tuberculosis constitutes a growing global threat. Thus, improvement of the vaccination strategy against TB is an urgent need, requiring international cooperation of the research community. The completion of many mycobacterial genome sequences has greatly facilitated the global analysis at the transcriptome and proteome level. This in consequence has accelerated progress in the vaccinology field resulting in identification of a large numbers of antigens with potential in TB vaccines. This review concentrates on the proteomic contribution to TB vaccinology. At the end of the article some recent achievements of structural proteomics and developing an epitope-driven tuberculosis vaccine are presented.

New approaches for Helicobacter vaccine development--difficulties and progress.

Despite the enormous progress in understanding the process of bacterial pathogenesis and interactions of pathogens with eucaryotic cells the infectious diseases still remain the main cause of human premature deaths. It is now recognized that Helicobacter pylori infects about half of the world's population. Based on results of clinical studies the World Health Organization has assigned H. pylori as a class I carcinogen. The review presents new achievements aimed at construction efficient and safe anti-Helicobacter vaccine. We discuss the new global technologies such as immunoproteomics employed for selecting new candidates for vaccine construction as well as new vaccine delivery systems. The review presents also our knowledge concerning H. pylori interaction with immune system which might facilitate modulation of the host immune system by specific adjuvant included into vaccine.