[
Virulence,
2012]
Community-associated (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have emerged as major human pathogens. CA-MRSA virulence appears to be distinct from healthcare-associated (HA) MRSA with several factors [-hemolysin (Hla), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), -type phenol soluble modulins (PSM) and SCCmec IV] postulated to enhance virulence or fitness. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, we compared the virulence of clinical and laboratory isolates of CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA and explored the contribution of CA-MRSA associated virulence factors to nematode killing. All CA-MRSA strains were highly pathogenic to nematodes, while HA-MRSA strains demonstrated variable nematode killing. Nematode killing by isogenic mutants of hla or the loci for PVL, PSM, PSM, PSM or SCCmec IV was not different than the parental strains. These results demonstrate that CA-MRSA is highly virulent, shows some strains of HA-MRSA are equally virulent toward nematodes and suggests CA-MRSA virulence in C. elegans is not linked to a single virulence factor.
[
Genetics,
2020]
Environmental toxicants are chemicals that negatively affect human health. Although there are numerous ways to limit exposure, the ubiquitous nature of certain environmental toxicants makes it impossible to avoid them entirely. Consequently, scientists are continuously working toward developing strategies for combating their harmful effects. Using the nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, a model with many genetic and physiological similarities to humans, researchers in the Colaiacovo laboratory have identified several molecular mechanisms by which the toxic agent bisphenol A (BPA) interferes with reproduction. Here, we address their recent discovery that a widely available compound, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), can rescue BPA-induced damage. This work is significant in that it poses a low-cost method for improving reproductive success in humans. The goal of this primer is to assist educators and students with navigating the paper entitled "Antioxidant CoQ10 Restores Fertility by Rescuing Bisphenol A-Induced Oxidative DNA Damage in the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> Germline." It is ideally suited for integration into an upper-level undergraduate course such as Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, or Toxicology. The primer provides background information on the history of BPA, the utility of the <i>C. elegans</i> germ line as a model for studying reproductive toxicity, and research methods including assessment of programmed cell death, fluorescent microscopy applications, and assays to quantify gene expression. Questions for deeper exploration in-class or online are provided.<b>Related article in <i>GENETICS</i>:</b> Hornos Carneiro MF, Shin N, Karthikraj R, Barbosa F Jr, Kannan K, Colaiacovo MP. Antioxidant CoQ10 restores fertility by rescuing bisphenol A-induced oxidative DNA damage in the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> Germline. Genetics 214:381-395.