Beyond Pattern Recognition: TLR2 Promotes Chemotaxis, Cell Adhesion, and Migration in THP-1 Cells.

The interaction between monocytes and endothelial cells in inflammation is central to chemoattraction, adhesion, and transendothelial migration. Key players, such as selectins and their ligands, integrins, and other adhesion molecules, and their functions in these processes are well studied. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), expressed in monocytes, is critical for sensing invading pathogens and initiating a rapid and effective immune response. However, the extended role of TLR2 in monocyte adhesion and migration has only been partially elucidated. To address this question, we performed several functional cell-based assays using monocyte-like wild type (WT), TLR2 knock-out (KO), and TLR2 knock-in (KI) THP-1 cells. We found that TLR2 promotes the faster and stronger adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium and a more intense endothelial barrier disruption after endothelial activation. In addition, we performed quantitative mass spectrometry, STRING protein analysis, and RT-qPCR, which not only revealed the association of TLR2 with specific integrins but also uncovered novel proteins affected by TLR2. In conclusion, we show that unstimulated TLR2 influences cell adhesion, endothelial barrier disruption, migration, and actin polymerization.

A structural inventory of native ribosomal ABCE1-43S pre-initiation complexes.

In eukaryotic translation, termination and ribosome recycling phases are linked to subsequent initiation of a new round of translation by persistence of several factors at ribosomal sub-complexes. These comprise/include the large eIF3 complex, eIF3j (Hcr1 in yeast) and the ATP-binding cassette protein ABCE1 (Rli1 in yeast). The ATPase is mainly active as a recycling factor, but it can remain bound to the dissociated 40S subunit until formation of the next 43S pre-initiation complexes. However, its functional role and native architectural context remains largely enigmatic. Here, we present an architectural inventory of native yeast and human ABCE1-containing pre-initiation complexes by cryo-EM. We found that ABCE1 was mostly associated with early 43S, but also with later 48S phases of initiation. It adopted a novel hybrid conformation of its nucleotide-binding domains, while interacting with the N-terminus of eIF3j. Further, eIF3j occupied the mRNA entry channel via its ultimate C-terminus providing a structural explanation for its antagonistic role with respect to mRNA binding. Overall, the native human samples provide a near-complete molecular picture of the architecture and sophisticated interaction network of the 43S-bound eIF3 complex and the eIF2 ternary complex containing the initiator tRNA.

C-Terminal Motifs of the MTW1 Complex Cooperatively Stabilize Outer Kinetochore Assembly in Budding Yeast.

Kinetochores are macromolecular protein assemblies at centromeres that mediate accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. The outer kinetochore KNL1SPC105, MIS12MTW1, and NDC80NDC80 complexes assemble the KMN network, which harbors the sites of microtubule binding and spindle assembly checkpoint signaling. The buildup of the KMN network that transmits microtubule pulling forces to budding yeast point centromeres is poorly understood. Here, we identify 225 inter-protein crosslinks by mass spectrometry on KMN complexes isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that delineate the KMN subunit connectivity for outer kinetochore assembly. C-Terminal motifs of Nsl1 and Mtw1 recruit the SPC105 complex through Kre28, and both motifs aid tethering of the NDC80 complex by the previously reported Dsn1 C terminus. We show that a hub of three C-terminal MTW1 subunit motifs mediates the cooperative stabilization of the KMN network, which is augmented by a direct NDC80-SPC105 association.

The COMA complex interacts with Cse4 and positions Sli15/Ipl1 at the budding yeast inner kinetochore.

Kinetochores are macromolecular protein complexes at centromeres that ensure accurate chromosome segregation by attaching chromosomes to spindle microtubules and integrating safeguard mechanisms. The inner kinetochore is assembled on CENP-A nucleosomes and has been implicated in establishing a kinetochore-associated pool of Aurora B kinase, a chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) subunit, which is essential for chromosome biorientation. By performing crosslink-guided in vitro reconstitution of budding yeast kinetochore complexes we showed that the Ame1/Okp1CENP-U/Q heterodimer, which forms the COMA complex with Ctf19/Mcm21CENP-P/O, selectively bound Cse4CENP-A nucleosomes through the Cse4 N-terminus. The Sli15/Ipl1INCENP/Aurora-B core-CPC interacted with COMA in vitro through the Ctf19 C-terminus whose deletion affected chromosome segregation fidelity in Sli15 wild-type cells. Tethering Sli15 to Ame1/Okp1 rescued synthetic lethality upon Ctf19 depletion in a Sli15 centromere-targeting deficient mutant. This study shows molecular characteristics of the point-centromere kinetochore architecture and suggests a role for the Ctf19 C-terminus in mediating CPC-binding and accurate chromosome segregation.

Fuzzy Interactions Form and Shape the Histone Transport Complex.

Protein transport into the nucleus is mediated by transport receptors. Import of highly charged proteins, such as histone H1 and ribosomal proteins, requires a dimer of two transport receptors. In this study, we determined the cryo-EM structure of the Imp7:Impß:H1.0 complex, showing that the two importins form a cradle that accommodates the linker histone. The H1.0 globular domain is bound to Impß, whereas the acidic loops of Impß and Imp7 chaperone the positively charged C-terminal tail. Although it remains disordered, the H1 tail serves as a zipper that closes and stabilizes the structure through transient non-specific interactions with importins. Moreover, we found that the GGxxF and FxFG motifs in the Imp7 C-terminal tail are essential for Imp7:Impß dimerization and H1 import, resembling importin interaction with nucleoporins, which, in turn, promote complex disassembly. The architecture of many other complexes might be similarly defined by rapidly exchanging electrostatic interactions mediated by disordered regions.

Three New Lactobacillus plantarum Strains in the Probiotic Toolbox against Gut Pathogen Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium.

The benefits of probiotic bacteria have been widely explored. However, fermented foods and digestive system of humans and animals are an inexhaustible source of new potentially probiotic microorganisms. In this study we present three new Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from different dairy products: cow's cheese, sheep's cheese and whey. In order to determine the antibacterial activity of yet unexplored L. plantarum strains against Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, in vitro competition and co-culture tests were done. Furthermore, adhesion of these strains to Caco-2 cells and their influence on the adhesion of Salmonella were tested. Results showed the potential probiotic activity of isolated strains. L. plantarum strains survived in the presence of 1% bile salts, they possessed acidification ability, antibacterial activity and significantly attenuated the growth of S. Typhimurium in brain heart infusion broth. All tested L. plantarum strains were able to adhere to Caco-2 cells and significantly impair the adhesion of S. Typhimurium. All three L. plantarum strains exhibited significant probiotic potential and anti-Salmonella activity; therefore, further testing on in vivo models should follow.

Environmental factors affecting the survival of soil dwelling Legionella longbeachae in water.

INTRODUCTION: Legionella longbeachae, a causative agent of Legionnaire's disease, has often been associated with potting soil and gardening, a feature quite distinct from other Legionella species. The precise transmission mechanism is still unknown, although due to the ecological coherence of the soil and water there is a potential risk of infection by contaminated stagnant water in the garden. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the ability of L. longbeachae to survive in stagnant tap water usually used for watering in gardens. The influence of different factors (temperature, pH and NaCl concentration) on L. longbeachae survival in stagnant tap water was also tested. RESULTS: The result showed that L. longbeachae is viable in stagnant tap water over 100 days at 4 °C and 25 °C. The survival of L. longbeachae exposed to different pH and NaCl concentration suggests resistance to low pH values (pH2 and pH5) and all tested NaCl concentrations at temperatures lower than 25 °C. The ability of L. longbeachae to persist in stagnant tap water should be taken seriously in the risk assessments as a possible hidden reservoir of infection.