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Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 18010

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality review papers in all the fields of molecular microbiology. We encourage researchers from related fields to contribute review papers highlighting the latest developments in molecular microbiology, or to invite relevant experts and colleagues to do so. Full-length comprehensive reviews will be preferred.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Burkovski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 175 KiB  
Editorial
Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology
by Andreas Burkovski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13990; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813990 - 12 Sep 2023
Viewed by 603
Abstract
This Special Issue—dedicated to high-quality review papers in molecular microbiology—is highlighting two important developments in the field: (i) the analysis of microbiome data in health and disease and (ii) the search for strategies against bacteria showing antimicrobial resistance [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)

Review

Jump to: Editorial

26 pages, 1219 KiB  
Review
Impact of Gut Microbiota on the Peripheral Nervous System in Physiological, Regenerative and Pathological Conditions
by Sonia Calabrò, Svenja Kankowski, Matilde Cescon, Giovanna Gambarotta, Stefania Raimondo, Kirsten Haastert-Talini and Giulia Ronchi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 8061; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098061 - 29 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3822
Abstract
It has been widely demonstrated that the gut microbiota is responsible for essential functions in human health and that its perturbation is implicated in the development and progression of a growing list of diseases. The number of studies evaluating how the gut microbiota [...] Read more.
It has been widely demonstrated that the gut microbiota is responsible for essential functions in human health and that its perturbation is implicated in the development and progression of a growing list of diseases. The number of studies evaluating how the gut microbiota interacts with and influences other organs and systems in the body and vice versa is constantly increasing and several ‘gut–organ axes’ have already been defined. Recently, the view on the link between the gut microbiota (GM) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) has become broader by exceeding the fact that the PNS can serve as a systemic carrier of GM-derived metabolites and products to other organs. The PNS as the communication network between the central nervous system and the periphery of the body and internal organs can rather be affected itself by GM perturbation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the impact of gut microbiota on the PNS, with regard to its somatic and autonomic divisions, in physiological, regenerative and pathological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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25 pages, 1129 KiB  
Review
Human Male Genital Tract Microbiota
by Arnaud Zuber, Adriana Peric, Nicola Pluchino, David Baud and Milos Stojanov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 6939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24086939 - 08 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3465
Abstract
The human body is vastly colonised by microorganisms, whose impact on health is increasingly recognised. The human genital tract hosts a diverse microbiota, and an increasing number of studies on the male genital tract microbiota suggest that bacteria have a role in male [...] Read more.
The human body is vastly colonised by microorganisms, whose impact on health is increasingly recognised. The human genital tract hosts a diverse microbiota, and an increasing number of studies on the male genital tract microbiota suggest that bacteria have a role in male infertility and pathological conditions, such as prostate cancer. Nevertheless, this research field remains understudied. The study of bacterial colonisation of the male genital tract is highly impacted by the invasive nature of sampling and the low abundance of the microbiota. Therefore, most studies relied on the analysis of semen microbiota to describe the colonisation of the male genital tract (MGT), which was thought to be sterile. The aim of this narrative review is to present the results of studies that used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to profile the bacterial colonisation patterns of different male genital tract anatomical compartments and critically highlight their findings and their weaknesses. Moreover, we identified potential research axes that may be crucial for our understanding of the male genital tract microbiota and its impact on male infertility and pathophysiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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25 pages, 4267 KiB  
Review
The Blood Microbiome and Health: Current Evidence, Controversies, and Challenges
by Hong Sheng Cheng, Sin Pei Tan, David Meng Kit Wong, Wei Ling Yolanda Koo, Sunny Hei Wong and Nguan Soon Tan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5633; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065633 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3265
Abstract
Blood is conventionally thought to be sterile. However, emerging evidence on the blood microbiome has started to challenge this notion. Recent reports have revealed the presence of genetic materials of microbes or pathogens in the blood circulation, leading to the conceptualization of a [...] Read more.
Blood is conventionally thought to be sterile. However, emerging evidence on the blood microbiome has started to challenge this notion. Recent reports have revealed the presence of genetic materials of microbes or pathogens in the blood circulation, leading to the conceptualization of a blood microbiome that is vital for physical wellbeing. Dysbiosis of the blood microbial profile has been implicated in a wide range of health conditions. Our review aims to consolidate recent findings about the blood microbiome in human health and to highlight the existing controversies, prospects, and challenges around this topic. Current evidence does not seem to support the presence of a core healthy blood microbiome. Common microbial taxa have been identified in some diseases, for instance, Legionella and Devosia in kidney impairment, Bacteroides in cirrhosis, Escherichia/Shigella and Staphylococcus in inflammatory diseases, and Janthinobacterium in mood disorders. While the presence of culturable blood microbes remains debatable, their genetic materials in the blood could potentially be exploited to improve precision medicine for cancers, pregnancy-related complications, and asthma by augmenting patient stratification. Key controversies in blood microbiome research are the susceptibility of low-biomass samples to exogenous contamination and undetermined microbial viability from NGS-based microbial profiling, however, ongoing initiatives are attempting to mitigate these issues. We also envisage future blood microbiome research to adopt more robust and standardized approaches, to delve into the origins of these multibiome genetic materials and to focus on host–microbe interactions through the elaboration of causative and mechanistic relationships with the aid of more accurate and powerful analytical tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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21 pages, 1467 KiB  
Review
Pivotal Role of Intestinal Microbiota and Intraluminal Metabolites for the Maintenance of Gut–Bone Physiology
by Niklas Grüner, Anna Lisa Ortlepp and Jochen Mattner
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065161 - 08 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2181
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota, and their mutual interactions with host tissues, are pivotal for the maintenance of organ physiology. Indeed, intraluminal signals influence adjacent and even distal tissues. Consequently, disruptions in the composition or functions of microbiota and subsequent altered host–microbiota interactions disturb the homeostasis [...] Read more.
Intestinal microbiota, and their mutual interactions with host tissues, are pivotal for the maintenance of organ physiology. Indeed, intraluminal signals influence adjacent and even distal tissues. Consequently, disruptions in the composition or functions of microbiota and subsequent altered host–microbiota interactions disturb the homeostasis of multiple organ systems, including the bone. Thus, gut microbiota can influence bone mass and physiology, as well as postnatal skeletal evolution. Alterations in nutrient or electrolyte absorption, metabolism, or immune functions, due to the translocation of microbial antigens or metabolites across intestinal barriers, affect bone tissues, as well. Intestinal microbiota can directly and indirectly alter bone density and bone remodeling. Intestinal dysbiosis and a subsequently disturbed gut–bone axis are characteristic for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who suffer from various intestinal symptoms and multiple bone-related complications, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. Immune cells affecting the joints are presumably even primed in the gut. Furthermore, intestinal dysbiosis impairs hormone metabolism and electrolyte balance. On the other hand, less is known about the impact of bone metabolism on gut physiology. In this review, we summarized current knowledge of gut microbiota, metabolites and microbiota-primed immune cells in IBD and bone-related complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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15 pages, 2222 KiB  
Review
Antibacterial Activity of Ebselen
by Marta Maślanka and Artur Mucha
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021610 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2186
Abstract
Ebselen is a low-molecular-weight organoselenium compound that has been broadly studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. These advantageous properties were initially associated with mimicking the activity of selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase, but the biomedical impact of this compound appear to be far [...] Read more.
Ebselen is a low-molecular-weight organoselenium compound that has been broadly studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. These advantageous properties were initially associated with mimicking the activity of selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase, but the biomedical impact of this compound appear to be far more complex. Ebselen serves as a substrate or inhibitor with multiple protein/enzyme targets, whereas inhibition typically originates from the covalent modification of cysteine residues by opening the benzisoselenazolone ring and S–Se bond formation. The inhibition of enzymes of various classes and origins has been associated with substantial antimicrobial potential among other activities. In this contribution, we summarize the current state of the art regarding the antibacterial activity of ebselen. This activity, alone and in combination with commercial pharmaceuticals, against pathogens, including those resistant to drugs, is presented, together with the molecular mechanism behind the reactivity. The specific inactivation of thioredoxin reductase, bacterial toxins, and other resistance factors is considered to have certain therapeutic implications. Synergistic action and sensitization to common antibiotics assisted with the use of ebselen appear to be promising directions in the treatment of persistent infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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21 pages, 4441 KiB  
Review
Rejuvenating the Activity of Usual Antibiotics on Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: Recent Issues and Perspectives
by Jinane Tabcheh, Julia Vergalli, Anne Davin-Régli, Noha Ghanem, Jean-Marie Pages, Charbel Al-Bayssari and Jean Michel Brunel
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1515; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021515 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance continues to evolve and spread beyond all boundaries, resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality for non-curable infectious diseases. Due to the failure of conventional antimicrobial therapy and the lack of introduction of a novel class of antibiotics, novel strategies [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance continues to evolve and spread beyond all boundaries, resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality for non-curable infectious diseases. Due to the failure of conventional antimicrobial therapy and the lack of introduction of a novel class of antibiotics, novel strategies have recently emerged to combat these multidrug-resistant infectious microorganisms. In this review, we highlight the development of effective antibiotic combinations and of antibiotics with non-antibiotic activity-enhancing compounds to address the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Microbiology 2023)
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