Ask about this productRelated genes to: SARS Blocking Peptide
- Gene:
- SARS NIH gene
- Name:
- seryl-tRNA synthetase
- Previous symbol:
- -
- Synonyms:
- SERS
- Chromosome:
- 1p13.3
- Locus Type:
- gene with protein product
- Date approved:
- 1995-06-09
- Date modifiied:
- 2014-11-18
- Gene:
- SARS2 NIH gene
- Name:
- seryl-tRNA synthetase 2, mitochondrial
- Previous symbol:
- SARSM
- Synonyms:
- FLJ20450, mtSerRS, SerRSmt, SARS, SERS, SYS
- Chromosome:
- 19q13.2
- Locus Type:
- gene with protein product
- Date approved:
- 2002-10-09
- Date modifiied:
- 2016-11-09
Related products to: SARS Blocking Peptide
Related articles to: SARS Blocking Peptide
- Malayan pangolins are unusual hosts for several SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses, which have previously been known to only infect bats. Much debate has hence surrounded their possible role as intermediate hosts in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, but the virological phenotypes of most pangolin coronaviruses (pCoVs) remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively analyze all pCoVs to date identified from trafficked pangolins seized in the Guangdong province of China, which are remarkably similar to SARS-CoV-2 in the spike (S) protein. We explore the genetic diversity within these viruses and uncover how this diversity translates to different virological phenotypes. Strikingly, several Guangdong pCoVs harbor a lysine substitution at residue 519 of the S protein, which contributes to marked immune evasion by modulating the conformational state of the S protein. Furthermore, we highlight that a divergent immuno-evasive mutation at residue 519 of the S protein was acquired by SARS-CoV-2. These findings support that pangolin- and human-infecting coronaviruses likely represent independent spillover events from natural bat reservoirs, and that immuno-evasive mutations at residue 519 may be a common direction of viral evolution in coronaviruses that infect non-bat hosts.IMPORTANCEPangolins are frequently moved through illegal wildlife trade, creating opportunities for animal viruses to cross borders and encounter people. Guangdong pangolin coronaviruses are genetically close to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in spike, but their biological properties have been poorly defined. By analyzing all the available spike sequences of Guangdong pangolin coronaviruses and testing representative spikes in functional assays, we show that closely related pangolin coronaviruses can differ substantially in susceptibility to antibody neutralization. Notably, a single substitution at spike residue 519 can shift this phenotype by altering spike conformational dynamics, supporting the idea that residue 519 has been repeatedly targeted during adaptation outside bat reservoirs. These findings highlight spike residue 519 as a practical molecular marker to help flag immune-evasive, spillover-prone sarbecoviruses and to prioritize surveillance at wildlife-trade interfaces. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/06/10
Yo Maximilian StanleyKaku YuKosugi YusukeTolentino Jarel ElginKuroda DaisukeCao YunlongSato Kei - Gonorrhea, caused by (NG), is rising globally alongside increasing antimicrobial resistance, including to first-line treatment. Standard diagnostics, such as nucleic acid amplification tests, cannot distinguish viable from non-viable bacteria, while culture-an inherent viability assessment-is challenged by the organism's fastidious nature and environmental sensitivity. Molecular viability assays have not been applied to NG. This study aims to validate and apply a viability PCR (V-PCR) method for NG and perform an exploratory application on clinical samples to assess concordance with culture. Viability was assessed using PMAxx, a membrane-impermeable dye that binds nucleic acids in non-viable cells, enabling discrimination from viable cells. Technical validation used mixtures of viable and heat-killed NG with paired PMAxx-treated/PMAxx-untreated aliquots and subsequent qPCR to derive ΔCt values. In an exploratory application, clinical samples (anorectal, oropharyngeal, and urogenital) were tested using V-PCR and compared with culture. V-PCR eliminated 99.998% of DNA from non-viable NG, with a strong correlation (²=0.96) across dilution series. Culture-positive clinical samples had a higher median viable load (3.92 log copies/mL, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.71-5.23) than culture-negative samples (0.87 log copies/mL, IQR: 0.38-2.69, = 0.0003). Median viability percentage was significantly higher in culture-positive samples (16.92%, IQR: 0.41%-42.45%) versus culture-negative samples (1.23%, IQR: 0.00%-9.38%, = 0.01). Overall, V-PCR reliably discriminated viable from non-viable NG in controlled experiments. In an exploratory application on clinical specimens, higher viable loads and viability percentages were associated with culture positivity. These findings support further evaluation of V-PCR as a tool to study factors influencing culture recovery; formal validation would be required before clinical implementation.IMPORTANCEGonorrhea affects an estimated 82 million people annually, with rising antimicrobial resistance threatening its treatability. Accurate diagnostics are essential, yet a diagnostic gap persists: standard PCR cannot distinguish viable from non-viable , while culture-an inherent viability assessment-is challenged by the organism's fastidious nature and environmental sensitivity. This limits accurate viability assessment, which is relevant to diagnostic practice, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and broader research into gonococcal infection.PMAxx-based viability PCR (V-PCR) has shown promise in other pathogens, including and SARS-CoV-2, but had not been applied to . Here, V-PCR is validated for for the first time, demonstrating strong discrimination between viable and non-viable organisms with consistent performance across predefined viability ratios, and in an exploratory clinical application, viable load and viability percentage were significantly higher in culture-positive specimens. These findings establish a foundation for more accurate viability assessment in gonococcal diagnostics and research. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/06/10
Vellema Sem E HHoebe Christian J P ALucchesi MaykSavelkoul Paul H MWolffs Petra F G - SUMMARYThe human gut microbiotas constitute a complex microecosystem essential for host homeostasis. Among its metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) act as key signaling molecules linking microbial activity to host immunity and barrier function. Based on existing literature, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between SCFAs and 11 key gut pathogens. These pathogens include bacteria (i.e., , spp.), fungi (i.e., ), and viruses (i.e., SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus). In terms of antibacterial effects, SCFAs exhibit antibacterial activity against most gut microorganisms, but they support the colonization of a few species (i.e., ). Given the complex interactions between SCFAs and the gut microbiota, as well as their regulatory roles in infection, further investigation of the microbiota-SCFA axis is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent and treat infectious diseases. This review systematically summarizes the mechanism and clinical evidence of SCFAs in microbial infections to provide novel ideas for infectious disease management. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/06/10
Yu JunxiuLi WenweiranXu YajieTang Jianguo - Influenza A(H3N2) is a contributor to seasonal epidemics, yet its evolution during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is not fully understood. We analyzed surveillance data and hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) sequences from Hubei, China, 2017-2024. The epidemic followed regular seasonality before 2020, nearly disappeared during 2020-2022, and resurged with strong peaks after mid-2022. Multiple HA lineages co-circulated pre-pandemic. Several localized reassortment signals were observed before the pandemic, though overall evidence for intra-subtype reassortment remained limited. After resurgence, single dominant clades expanded, genetic diversity dropped, and clade turnover became clear. Bayesian coalescent analyses showed that effective population size had already declined by late 2019, before widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission and interventions. Relaxed-clock and selection pressure analyses revealed heterogeneous HA substitution rates among lineages, likely reflecting differences in baseline substitution rates and the effects of transmission bottlenecks, rather than detectable shifts in selection intensity. Overall, HA and NA evolution was dominated by purifying selection, with a few sites in antigenic regions showing evidence of positive selection, coinciding with recurrent amino acid changes. Pre-pandemic population contraction, phase-specific rate variation, and site-specific antigenic adaptation shaped lineage turnover and epidemic patterns in Hubei. Monitoring population shifts, lineage-specific rates, and key antigenic substitutions can guide vaccine updates and strengthen preparedness.IMPORTANCEThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted influenza activity worldwide, raising questions about its long-term effects on viral evolution. Our analysis of H3N2 in Hubei, China, shows that lineage contraction began before the pandemic and that post-pandemic evolutionary dynamics were shaped primarily by demographic processes, while purifying selection continued to dominate, with adaptive changes restricted to a limited number of antigenic sites. These findings suggest that intrinsic viral processes, not just pandemic restrictions, played a central role in shaping epidemic patterns and highlight the importance of continuous genomic surveillance to anticipate future outbreaks. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/06/10
Peng MingweiLiu LinlinLi XiangYu XiaoYin QianglingZhang XiaoluHan ShiFang Bin - The two largest US blood collection organizations led a multiphased, multicenter nationwide SARS-CoV-2 blood donor-based serosurveillance program. The potential impact of delayed sample processing and prolonged refrigerated or frozen storage on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection was investigated. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/06/10
Lanteri Marion CGreen ValerieSulaeman HasanStone MarsHaynes JamesDi Germanio ClaraSmith SakinaVillaflor Patricia GGroves JamelWilliamson Phillip CStramer Susan LCoughlin Melissa MJones Jefferson MGrebe EduardBusch Michael PSaa Paula