The genus Leptospira consists of a genetically heterogeneous group of pathogenic and saprophytic species belonging to the phylum Spirochaetales. It is the causative agent of Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution and transmission to humans occurs through contact with domestic or wild animal reservoirs or an environment contaminated by their urine. Leptospira is a flexible, spiral-shaped, Gram-negative Spirochete with internal flagella. Leptospira enters the host through mucosa and broken skin, resulting in Bacteremia. The Spirochetes multiply in organs, most commonly the Central Nervous System, kidneys, liver and conjunctiva. Infective bacteria are shed in the urine. These organisms establish themselves a commensal relationship with many animal[..]

Leptospira is a genus of Spirochetal bacteria and the causative agent of Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution and transmission to humans occurs through contact with domestic or wild animal reservoirs or an environment contaminated by their urine. Leptospira is a flexible, spiral-shaped, Gram-negative Spirochete with internal flagella. Leptospira enters the host through mucosa and broken skin, resulting in Bacteremia. The Spirochetes multiply in organs, most commonly the Central Nervous System, kidneys, liver and conjunctiva. Infective bacteria are shed in the urine. These organisms establish themselves a commensal relationship with many animal hosts, persisting in the renal tubules without producing disease or causing pathologic changes in the[..]

P. acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) is the most common Gram-positive, non-spore forming, anaerobic rod and a major inhabitant of adult human skin, where it resides within sebaceous follicles, usually as a harmless commensal, even though it has been implicated in Acne Vulgaris (Pimples) formation. P. acnes typically grows as an obligate anaerobe, however, some strains are aerotolerant, but still show better growth as an anaerobe. It has the ability to produce Propionic acid and Catalase along with Indole, Nitrate, or both Indole and Nitrate. The bacteria release Lipases to digest a surplus of the skin oil, Sebum. The combination of digestive products (Fatty acids) and bacterial antigens stimulates an intense local inflammation that bursts the hair follicle. Then, a[..]

Organisms vary widely in their ability to metabolize amino acids. Based on metabolic requirements amino acids are grouped as essential amino acids (that must be provided in as nutrient) and non-essential amino acids (biosynthesized in adequate amounts). Except for Glycine, all amino acids occur in two possible optical isomers, called D and L. Because of the two hydrogen atoms at the Alpha-carbon, Glycine is not optically active. The L-amino acids represent the vast majority of amino acids found in proteins, whereas, D-amino acids are found in some proteins produced by exotic sea-dwelling organisms, but are abundant components of the cell walls of bacteria. Amino acid metabolisms are vital for the maintenance of normal nitrogen balance in an organism. The Alpha-amino[..]

H. hepaticus (Helicobacter hepaticus) causes chronic Hepatitis and liver cancer in mice. It is the prototype enterohepatic Helicobacter species and a close relative of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), also a recognized carcinogen. H. hepaticus have a circular chromosome encoding 1,875 proteins. A total of 938, 953, and 821 proteins have orthologs in H. pylori, C. jejuni (Campylobacter jejuni), and both pathogens, respectively. H. hepaticus lacks orthologs of most known H. pylori virulence factors, including Adhesins, the Vacuolating Cytotoxin, and almost all cag pathogenicity island proteins, but have orthologs of the C. jejuni Adhesin Peb1 and the CDT (Cytolethal Distending Toxin) (Ref.1). The Type-IV secretion system helps in establishing pathogenicity. H. hepaticus[..]

Wolbachia are intracellular Gram-negative bacteria found in association with a variety of invertebrate species, including Insects, Mites, Spiders, terrestrial Crustaceans, and Nematodes. Wolbachia are transovarialy transmitted from females to their offspring and are extremely widespread. Wolbachia sp. are members of the Rickettsiales order of the Alpha-subdivision of the Proteobacteria phyla and belong to the Anaplasmataceae family, with members of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Cowdria, and Neorickettsia. Six major clades (A-F) of Wolbachia have been identified to date: A, B, E, and F have been reported from Insects, Arachnids, and Crustaceans; C and D from Filarial Nematodes (Ref.1). Wolbachia are of great interest due to their diverse interactions with different[..]

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) are Gram-negative, micro-aerophilic, spiral-shaped and flagellated bacteria that remains associated with Gastric inflammation and Peptic ulcer disease. As a human pathogen, H. pylori’s presence in the gastric mucosa is associated with Gastritis and is often implicated in Peptic ulceration and Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue Lymphomas (Ref.1). The H. pylori genome is important for drug discovery and vaccine development and this is exemplified by the genome analysis of H. pylori Strain 26695. H. pylori 26695 protein-coding genes (1,590 genes) are unique to the strain. H. pylori have well-developed systems for motility, for scavenging iron, and for DNA restriction and modification. Many putative Adhesins, Lipoproteins and other[..]

The human pathogen, H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) present in the gastric mucosa is associated with Gastritis and is often implicated in Peptic ulceration and Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue Lymphomas (Ref.1). The H. pylori genome is important for drug discovery and vaccine development and this is exemplified by the genome analysis of not only H. pylori Strain 26695 but also H. pylori J99. H. pylori J99 protein-coding genes (91 genes) are unique to the strain. H. pylori J99 are Gram-negative, micro-aerophilic, spiral-shaped and flagellated bacteria and mainly stimulate pathogenesis of Duodenal ulcers (Ref.2 & 3).H. pylori utilize amino acids as the sole carbon and nitrogen energy source. Amino acids like Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartate, Glutamine,[..]

ILK(Integrin-linked kinase) is a key scaffold protein that localizes to focal adhesions, acts as a central component of a heterotrimer (the ILK–PINCH–parvin complex). Since its discovery, ILK has been demonstrated to have an essential role in connecting the cytoplasmic tail of β subunits of integrins to the actin cytoskeleton, and in regulating actin polymerization. Within this pivotal position, ILK has been shown to interact with many intracellular proteins through PINCH or parvin to mediate diverse arrays of biological events,or to mediate cell responses induced by the interaction of integrins with the ECM(extracellular matrix)(Ref.1). Several adaptor proteins with Actin binding properties interact with the C-terminus (COOH-terminus) of ILK.[..]

H. hepaticus (Helicobacter hepaticus) are motile and Gram-negative, curved to spiral in shape, with one to several spirals; and it has bipolar sheathed flagella (one at each end) but lacks the periplasmic fibers that envelope the bacterial cells in other mouse Helicobacter species. It grows microaerobically at 37ºC but not at 25ºC or 42ºC. H. hepaticus colonize in the large intestine and then translocate to the liver and colonize in the biliary system in mice and thereby cause chronic Hepatitis and liver cancer. It is the prototype enterohepatic Helicobacter species and a close relative of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), also a recognized carcinogen. H. hepaticus have a circular chromosome encoding 1,875 proteins. A total of 938, 953, and 821 proteins[..]

The Gram-negative, micro-aerophilic, spiral-shaped and flagellated bacteria, H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) are associated with the pathogenesis of Gastric inflammation and Peptic ulcer disease. Presence of H. pylori in the gastric mucosa is associated with Gastritis and is often implicated in Peptic ulceration and Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue Lymphomas. The H. pylori genome is important for drug discovery and vaccine development and this is exemplified by the genome analysis of H. pylori Strain 26695 (Ref.1). H. pylori 26695 protein-coding genes (1,590 genes) are unique to the strain. H. pylori have well-developed systems for motility, for scavenging iron, and for DNA restriction and modification. H. pylori utilize amino acids as the sole carbon and nitrogen[..]

The H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) J99 strains are Gram-negative, micro-aerophilic, spiral-shaped and flagellated bacteria, are associated with the pathogenesis of Gastric inflammation and Peptic ulcer disease (Ref.1). Presence of H. pylori J99 in the gastric mucosa is associated with Duodenal ulcers. The H. pylori genome is important for drug discovery and vaccine development and this is exemplified by the genome analysis of not only H. pylori Strain 26695 but also H. pylori J99. H. pylori J99 protein-coding genes (91 genes) are unique to the strain. H. pylori have well-developed systems for motility, for scavenging iron, and for DNA restriction and modification. H. pylori utilize amino acids as the sole carbon and nitrogen energy source. It also utilizes Glucose.[..]