ABSTRACT Antibiotics that interfere with DNA replication and cell viability activate the SOS response. In Staphylococcus aureus , antibiotic-induced response promotes high-frequency horizontal transfer of pathogenicity island-encoded virulence factors. Here we report β-lactams induce a bona fide in S. characterized by activation RecA LexA proteins, two master regulators Moreover, show are capable triggering staphylococcal prophage induction lysogens. Consequently, as previously described for...

Summary Although mobile genetic elements have a crucial role in spreading pathogenicity‐determining genes among bacterial populations, environmental and factors involved the horizontal transfer of these are largely unknown. Here we show that SaPIbov1, Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity island belongs to growing family found many strains, is induced excise replicate after SOS induction at least three different temperate phages, 80α, φ11 φ147, then packaged into phage‐like particles...

The gut microbiota of insects contributes positively to the physiology its host mainly by participating in food digestion, protecting against pathogens, or provisioning vitamins amino acids, but dynamics this complex ecosystem is not well understood so far. In study, we have characterized omnivorous cockroach Blattella germanica pyrosequencing hypervariable regions V1-V3 16S rRNA gene whole bacterial community. Three diets differing protein content (0, 24 and 50%) were tested at two time...

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of COVID-19, is considered a pathogen animal origin that mainly transmitted from human to human. Several species can be naturally or experimentally infected by SARS-CoV-2, with compelling evidence mink highly susceptible SARS-CoV-2 infection. Human-to-mink infection cases have been reported and there are also suggestions mink-to-human occurs. Mink infections date only on fur farms, except for one free- ranging...

Animals have been involved in the three known outbreaks of severe respiratory syndromes due to coronaviruses (years 2005, 2012, and 2019). The pandemic nature SARS-CoV-2 outbreak increases likelihood infection from humans susceptible animal species that, thus, could become secondary viral hosts even disease reservoirs. We present evidence spillover wild mustelids by reporting presence a Eurasian river otter found near water reservoir Valencian Community (Spain). detected virus using two...

SaPIbov2 is a member of the SaPI family staphylococcal pathogenicity islands and very closely related to SaPIbov1. Typically, certain temperate phages can induce excision replication one or more these package them into special small phage-like particles commensurate with their genome sizes (referred as excision-replication-packaging [ERP] cycle). We have studied phage-SaPI interaction in some depth using SaPIbov2, reference role its integrase. demonstrate here that be induced replicate by...

The SaPIs are chromosomal islands in staphylococci and other Gram-positive bacteria that carry genes for superantigens, virulence factors, resistance certain metabolic functions. They have intimate relationships with temperate phages involving phage-induced excision, replication efficient packaging special small-headed infective phage-like particles, resulting very high transfer frequencies. generally contain 18-22 ORFs. We systematically inactivated each of these ORFs determined their...

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) have an intimate relationship with temperate staphylococcal phages. During phage growth, SaPIs are induced to replicate and efficiently encapsidated into special small heads commensurate their size. We analyzed by amino acid sequencing mass spectrometry the protein composition of specific SaPI particles. This has enabled identification major capsid tail proteins a putative portal protein. As expected, all these were encoded....

Summary Transfer of Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) is directly controlled by the cellular repressor LexA. We have found that transcription SaPIbov1 operon I repressed LexA and therefore SOS‐induced. Two copies binding site consensus (Cheo box) are present in 5′ region this operon, at same location all 15 different SaPIs analysed. Both these boxes bind protein. Furthermore, replacement chromosomal lexA with a non‐cleavable mutant (G94E) greatly diminished expression...

Using an oligonucleotide microarray, we searched for previously unrecognized transcription units in intergenic regions the genome of Bacillus subtilis, with emphasis on identifying small genes activated during spore formation. Nineteen were identified, 11 which shown to depend one or more sporulation-regulatory proteins their expression. A high proportion contained small, functional open reading frames (ORFs). One such newly identified ORF is a member family six structurally similar that are...

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19 , is considered a pathogen with animal origin, mainly transmitted human to human. It has been experimentally and naturally demonstrated that several animals can be infected by SARS-CoV-2. There are strong evidences minks highly susceptible SARS-CoV-2 infection, since cases mink infection have reported, it suggested exists, which so far most reliable example zoonotic event . However, all these...

Targeting conserved and essential processes is a successful strategy to combat enemies. Remarkably, the clinically important Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) use this tactic spread in nature. SaPIs reside passively host chromosome, under control of SaPI-encoded master repressor, Stl. It has been assumed that SaPI de-repression effected by specific phage proteins bind Stl, initiating cycle. Different encode different Stl repressors, so each targets protein for its...

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the zoonotic virus responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, has caused global health and economic dis-ruption. American mink (Neovison vison) are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 capable of transmitting it both humans. We previously reported first detection in feral mink, with two positive cases among 13 animals upper courses rivers Valencian Community, eastern Spain. Here, we expand that study 60 additional sampled from November 2020...

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the zoonotic virus responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, has caused global health and economic disruption. American mink (Neovison vison) are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 capable of transmitting it both humans. We previously reported first detection in feral mink, with two positive cases among 13 animals upper courses rivers Valencian Community, eastern Spain. Here, we expand that study 60 additional sampled from November 2020...

A process of phase variation is described that affects the expression Bap (biofilm-associated protein) in Staphylococcus aureus. Upon subculture Bap-positive S. aureus strain V329 on Congo red agar, spontaneous smooth biofilm-negative colonies appeared at a low frequency (5 x 10(-4)). Northern blot analysis these variants with bap-specific gene probe showed transcription bap did not occur. However, DNA typing, Southern hybridization and sequencing show any differences between parent...

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, has infected several animal species, including dogs, presumably via human-to-animal transmission. Most dogs reported were asymptomatic, with low viral loads. However, in this case we detected SARS-CoV-2 a dog from North African coastal Spanish city Ceuta presenting hemorrhagic diarrhea, disease also earlier on an USA. Case presentation In early January 2021, West Highland...

We have recently proposed that the trimeric staphylococcal phage encoded dUTPases (Duts) are signaling molecules act analogously to eukaryotic G-proteins, using dUTP as a second messenger. To perform this regulatory role, Duts require their characteristic extra motif VI, present in all coded Duts, well strongly conserved Dut V. Recently, however, an alternative model involving transfer of islands (SaPIs) has been suggested, questioning implication motifs V and VI. Here, state-of the-art...

The dUTPase (Dut) enzymes, encoded by almost all free-living organisms and some viruses, prevent the misincorporation of uracil into DNA. We previously proposed that trimeric Duts are regulatory proteins involved in different cellular processes; including phage-mediated transfer Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity island SaPIbov1. Recently, it has been shown structurally unrelated dimeric Dut phage ϕNM1 is similarly able to mobilize SaPIbov1, suggesting could also be proteins. How this...

Mammary tumours in cats are biologically aggressive. The standard of care relies upon wide surgical resection. Chemotherapy has been described the macroscopic disease setting; however, limited efficacy shown. aim this study was to assess toceranib phosphate feline mammary (FMTs).

Canine inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is an aggressive and rare type of gland cancer in dogs where vascular endothelial growth factor cyclooxigenase-2 overexpression usually occur, which contribute to its invasive angiogenic nature. This study aimed evaluate the efficacy safety a combined treatment regimen toceranib phosphate carprofen with measurable IMC. Fifteen female histopathologically confirmed IMC were included, undergoing (2.4-2.75 mg/kg PO, three times weekly) (4.4 mg/kg/24 h...

The trimeric staphylococcal phage-encoded dUTPases (Duts) are signalling molecules that induce the cycle of some Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) by binding to SaPI-encoded Stl repressor. To perform this regulatory role, these Duts require an extra motif VI, as well Dut conserved motifs IV and V. While apo form is required for interaction with repressor, usually only those normal enzymatic activity can SaPI cycle. understand link between activities inducing capacities protein, we...

In the setting of recent COVID-19 pandemic, transmission SARS-CoV-2 to animals has been reported in both domestic and wild is a matter concern. Given genetic functional similarities humans, non-human primates merit particular attention. case lemurs, generally considered endangered, they are believed be susceptible infection. We have conducted study for evidence infection among 43 lemurs Mundomar, zoological park Benidorm, Spain. They belong two endangered lemur species, 23 black-and-white...

After 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to face vital challenges stemming from SARS-CoV-2 variation, causing changes in disease transmission and severity, viral adaptation animal hosts, antibody/vaccine evasion. Since monitoring, characterization, cataloging variants are important existing information on this was scant for Sicily, pilot study explored circulation island before growth phase second wave (September October 2020), downslope that (early December 2020) through sequence...