W. succinogenes (Wolinella succinogenes) is a non-fermenting bacterium that grows anaerobically. It is rod-shaped bacteria with monotrichous flagellation and the insertion of the flagellar motor is into the pole of the cell. W. succinogenes resides in the bovine rumen, the human gingival sulcus, and dental root canal infections. W. succinogenes, is closely related to the pathogenic bacteria H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) and C. jejuni (Campylobacter jejuni) (Ref.1). Despite being considered non-pathogenic to its bovine host, W. succinogenes holds an extensive repertoire of genes homologous to known bacterial virulence factors. Many of these genes have been acquired by lateral gene transfer. W. succinogenes genome also reveals genes related to soil and plant associated[..]

W. succinogenes (Wolinella succinogenes) is a non-fermenting bacterium that grows anaerobically. It is rod-shaped bacteria with monotrichous flagellation and the insertion of the flagellar motor is into the pole of the cell. W. succinogenes resides in the bovine rumen, the human gingival sulcus, and dental root canal infections. W. succinogenes, is closely related to the pathogenic bacteria H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) and C. jejuni (Campylobacter jejuni) (Ref.1). Despite being considered non-pathogenic to its bovine host, W. succinogenes holds an extensive repertoire of genes homologous to known bacterial virulence factors. Many of these genes have been acquired by lateral gene transfer. W. succinogenes genome also reveals genes related to soil and plant associated[..]

T. thermophilus (Thermus thermophilus) is a Gram-negative, aerobic eubacterium which grows at temperatures ranging from 50 to 82 degrees Centigrade. The organism, T. thermophilus strain HB27 grows in a natural thermal environment with an optimal growth at 68 degrees Centigrade and pH 7.0. Most extreme thermophiles that live in geothermal environments are strict anaerobes as a consequence of the adaptation to the low solubility of oxygen at these temperatures. However, Thermus species are an exception because they are strictly aerobic chemorganotrophs. T. thermophilus HB27 is unable to grow under anaerobic conditions but the ability to grow anaerobically by nitrate reduction can be transferred to the aerobic strain HB27 by conjugation. Thermophilic organisms, like the[..]

Shigella strains are unusual among enteric bacteria in their ability to gain access to the epithelial cell cytosol, where they replicate and spread directly into adjacent cells. These strains are pathogenic only for human. It invades the epithelium of the colon, resulting in an intense acute inflammatory response. The S. flexneri (Shigella flexneri) serotype 2a is the most prevalent species and serotype that cause Bacillary Dysentery or Shigellosis in man. S. flexneri is commonly found in water polluted with human faeces. It is transmitted in contaminated food or water and through contact between people. Upon infection, humans develop severe abdominal cramps, fever, and frequent passage of bloody stools. Shigellosis is not only a significant cause of infant mortality[..]

The organism T. thermophilus HB8 (Thermus thermophilus HB8) is a Gram-negative eubacterium that grows in a natural thermal environment with temperatures ranging from 50 to 82 degrees Centigrade. Unlike other extreme anaerobic thermophiles, the Thermus species are an exception, as they are strict aerobic chemorganotrophs. Although aerobic, T. thermophilus HB8 can also grow under anaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate due to synthesis of the nitrate reductase complex encoded by the nar operon. Expression from this operon is induced under low oxygen concentrations only when nitrate is present. Thermophilic organisms, like the vast majority of other microorganisms, accumulate compatible solutes in response to water stress imposed by salt (Ref.1 & 2). These[..]

Shigella is pathogenic only for humans and the strains are unusual among enteric bacteria in their ability to gain access to the epithelial cell cytosol, where they replicate and spread directly into adjacent cells. It causes disease by invading the epithelium of the colon, resulting in an intense acute inflammatory response. Shigella species are Gram-negative, non-sporulating and facultative anaerobes. S. flexneri (Shigella flexneri) lacks surface structures such as flagella, fimbriae, and curli. Entry into epithelial cells occurs by an engulfment of the host cell membrane at the interaction points with bacteria. Shigella strains contain a large virulence plasmid that is known to encode genes required and sufficient for invasion of epithelial cells. Genes on a[..]

S. typhimurium (Salmonella enterica subspecies I, serovar Typhimurium), is a leading cause of human Gastroenteritis, and is used in mouse models of human Typhoid fever. The genus Salmonella comprises two species: S. enterica, which is subdivided into over 2,000 serovars, and S. bongori (Salmonella bongori). Some serovars of S. enterica, such as S. typhi, cause systemic infections and Typhoid fever, whereas others, such as S. typhimurium, cause Gastroenteritis. Some serovars, such as S. typhi, are host specialists that infect only humans, whereas others such as S. typhimurium are host generalists that occur in humans and many other mammalian species. Domestic animals act as a reservoir for the food-borne spread of host-generalist serovars, which accounts for the high[..]

Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram-negative, fastidious, xylem-limited bacterium that causes a range of economically important plant diseases. It causes citrus variegated chlorosis-a serious disease of orange trees. It is responsible for pathogenicity and virulence involving toxins, antibiotics and ion sequestration systems (Ref.1 & 2). X. fastidiosa Temecula-1 is 2.52MB. It is isolated from a naturally infected grapevine with Pierce's disease in a wine-grape-growing region of California. This disease is characterized by wilted, shriveled, raisin-like fruits and scorched leaves that detach, leaving bare petioles attached to the canes. This devastating disease is a major threat to the viability of the California wine industry (Ref.3).Glutathione is a tripeptide[..]

Yersinia sp. is responsible for disease syndromes ranging from gastroenteritis to plague. Y. pestis is categorized into three subtypes or biovars; Antiqua, Mediaevalis, and Orientalis, each associated with a major pandemic. Y. pestis strain CO92 belongs to biovar Orientalis that are responsible for the current pandemic (modern plague). Glutathione is a tripeptide present in Yersinia sp., which is composed of Glutamate, Cysteine and Glycine, and has numerous important functions within cells. The tripeptide is the thiol compound, present in the highest concentration in all types of cells (Ref.1).Glutathione metabolism in Y. pestis involves both the synthesis of Glutathione and its catabolism. Glutathione biosynthesis starts from 5-Oxoproline (OP) the lactam of[..]

Glutathione is a tripeptide present in Yersinia sp., which is composed of Glutamate, Cysteine and Glycine, and has numerous important functions within cells. Yersinia sp. is responsible for disease syndromes ranging from gastroenteritis to plague. Y. pestis is categorized into three subtypes or biovars; Antiqua, Medievalis, and Orientalis, each associated with a major pandemic. The strain Y. pestis KIM belongs to biovar Mediaevalis and is associated with the second pandemic, including the Black Death (Ref.1).Glutathione metabolism in Y. pestis involves both the synthesis of Glutathione and its catabolism. Glutathione biosynthesis starts from an L-Amino acid, which in presence of the enzyme Gamma-GT (Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase) forms L-Gamma-Glutamyl-L-Amino acid and[..]

Yersinia sp. is responsible for disease syndromes ranging from gastroenteritis to plague. Y. pestis is categorized into three subtypes or biovars; Antiqua, Mediaevalis, and Orientalis, each associated with a major pandemic. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is the least common of the three main Yersinia species to cause infections in humans. It is primarily a zoonotic infection with variable hosts, including domestic and sylvatic animals. The condition has been associated with food-borne infection, including a few outbreaks. The organism primarily leads to a gastroenteritis (diarrheal component uncharacteristic) characterized by a self-limited mesenteric lymphadenitis mimicking appendicitis. Postinfectious complications include erythema nodosum and reactive arthritis. Thus,[..]

Glutathione is a sulfhydryl (-SH) antioxidant, antitoxin, and enzyme cofactor. It is ubiquitous in animals, plants, and microorganisms, and being water soluble is found mainly in the cell cytosol and other aqueous phases of the living system. Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of Glutamate, Cysteine and Glycine that has numerous important functions within cells. Glutathione is homeostatically controlled, both inside the cell and outside. It often attains millimolar levels inside cells, which makes it one of the most highly concentrated intracellular antioxidants. Glutathione exists in two forms. The antioxidant "reduced Glutathione" tripeptide is conventionally called Glutathione and abbreviated Gsh; the oxidized form is a sulfur-sulfur linked compound,[..]