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Aslam S, Aljawdah HM, Murshed M, Serrano GE. Pharmacophore modelling based virtual screening and molecular dynamics identified the novel inhibitors and drug targets against Waddlia chondrophila. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13472. [PMID: 38866811 PMCID: PMC11169463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63555-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is a possible cause of fetal death in humans. This Chlamydia-related bacterium is an emergent pathogen that causes human miscarriages and ruminant abortions, which results in financial losses. Despite the years of efforts, the underlying mechanism behind the pathogenesis of W. chondrophila is little known which hindered the development of novel treatment options. In the framework of current study, computational approaches were used to identify novel inhibitors (phytocompounds) and drug targets against W. chondrophila. At first, RNA polymerase sigma factor SigA and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid transferase were identified through subtractive proteomics pipeline. Afterwards, extensive docking and simulation analyses were conducted to optimize potentially novel phytocompounds by assessing their binding affinity to target proteins. A 100ns molecular dynamics simulation well complimented the compound's binding affinity and indicated strong stability of predicted compounds at the docked site. The calculation of binding free energies with MMGBSA corroborated the significant binding affinity between phytocompounds and target protein binding sites. The proposed phytocompounds may be a viable treatment option for patients infected with W. chondrophila; however, further research is required to ensure their safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Aslam
- Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ, USA.
| | - Hossam M Aljawdah
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mutee Murshed
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Screening of Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila Antibodies in Women with Tubal Factor Infertility. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060918. [PMID: 32560559 PMCID: PMC7355871 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is an emerging intracellular pathogen belonging to the order of Chlamydiales, and was previously associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, as well as tubal factor infertility (TFI). In this study, we investigate the link between both W. chondrophila and Chlamydia trachomatis IgG seropositivity and TFI. Antibodies against both bacteria were measured in 890 serum samples of women visiting a fertility clinic. After a hysterosalpingography and/or laparoscopy, they were classified as either TFI-negative (TFI−) or TFI-positive (TFI+). The total seroprevalence was 13.4% for C. trachomatis and 38.8% for W. chondrophila. C. trachomatis antibodies were present significantly more often in the TFI+ group than in the TFI− group, while for W. chondrophila no difference could be observed. In conclusion, our study confirms the association between C. trachomatis seropositivity and TFI, but no association was found between W. chondrophila seropositivity and TFI. The high percentage of W. chondrophila seropositivity in all women attending a fertility clinic does, however, demonstrate the need for further research on this Chlamydia-like bacterium and its possible role in infertility.
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Pilloux L, Martin V, Greub G. Eukaryotic Cell Permeabilisation to Identify New Putative Chlamydial Type III Secretion System Effectors Secreted within Host Cell Cytoplasm. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030361. [PMID: 32138376 PMCID: PMC7143554 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila are strict intracellular bacteria belonging to the Chlamydiales order. C. trachomatis is the most frequent bacterial cause of genital and ocular infections whereas W. chondrophila is an opportunistic pathogen associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and respiratory infections. Being strictly intracellular, these bacteria are engaged in a complex interplay with their hosts to modulate their environment and create optimal conditions for completing their life cycle. For this purpose, they possess several secretion pathways and, in particular, a Type III Secretion System (T3SS) devoted to the delivery of effector proteins in the host cell cytosol. Identifying these effectors is a crucial step in understanding the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis. Following incubation of infected cells with perfringolysin O, a pore-forming toxin that binds cholesterol present in plasma membranes, we analysed by mass spectrometry the protein content of the host cell cytoplasm. We identified 13 putative effectors secreted by C. trachomatis and 19 secreted by W. chondrophila. Using Y. enterocolitica as a heterologous expression and secretion system, we confirmed that four of these identified proteins are secreted by the T3SS. Two W. chondrophila T3SS effectors (hypothetical proteins Wcw_0499 and Wcw_1706) were further characterised and demonstrated to be early/mid-cycle effectors. In addition, Wcw_1706 is associated with a tetratricopeptide domain-containing protein homologous to C. trachomatis class II chaperone. Furthermore, we identified a novel C. trachomatis effector, CT460 that localises in the eukaryotic nucleus when ectopically expressed in 293 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gilbert Greub
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-314-4979; Fax: +41-21-314-4060
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Vouga M, Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Liénard J, Baskin L, Baud D, Greub G. What is the true clinical relevance of Simkania negevensis and other emerging Chlamydiales members? New Microbes New Infect 2018; 23:1-5. [PMID: 29692903 PMCID: PMC5913364 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila and Simkania negevensis are emerging Chlamydia-related bacteria. Similar to the pathogenic organisms Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis, these emerging bacteria are implicated in human genital infections and respiratory diseases. We used a screening strategy based on a newly developed S. negevensis–specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and a pan-Chlamydiales qPCR. We could not detect S. negevensis in 458 respiratory, genitourinary, cardiac and hepatic samples tested. One urethral swab was positive for W. chondrophila. We observed a low prevalence of Chlamydiales in respiratory samples (1/200, 0.5%), which suggests that C. pneumoniae is an uncommon respiratory pathogen. Furthermore, we screened 414 human serum samples from Switzerland, England and Israel and observed a low prevalence (<1%) of exposure to S. negevensis. Conversely, humans were commonly exposed to W. chondrophila, with seroprevalences ranging from 8.6% to 32.5%. S. negevensis is not a clinically relevant pathogen, but further research investigating the role of W. chondrophila is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Vouga
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department “Femme-Mére-Enfant”, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - C. Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J. Liénard
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - L. Baskin
- Virology Laboratory, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - D. Baud
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department “Femme-Mére-Enfant”, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - G. Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- Infectious Disease Service, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author: G. Greub, Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Bugnon 48, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Chlamydia trachomatis and chlamydia-like bacteria: new enemies of human pregnancies. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2018; 30:289-296. [PMID: 28306562 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an update on the roles of Chlamydia trachomatis and the related Waddlia chondrophila and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in miscarriage, stillbirths and preterm labour in humans. A broad audience, including microbiologist, infectiologists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, should be aware of the potential threat of these Chlamydiales for human reproduction. RECENT FINDINGS Despite increasing laboratory techniques and possibilities to perform diagnostic tests, the cause of miscarriage is only identified in 50% of the cases. Intracellular bacteria, such as C. trachomatis and Chlamydia-related bacteria, are difficult to detect in routine clinical samples and could represent possible agents of miscarriages. C. trachomatis is considered the world largest sexual transmitted bacterial agent and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome in human. In the last decade Chlamydia-like organisms, such as W. chondrophila and P. acanthamoebae, have also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in human and/or animals. SUMMARY We review here the current evidences for a pathogenic role in humans, the diagnostic approaches and possible treatment options of C. trachomatis, W. chondrophila and P. acanthamoebae.
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Vouga M, Baud D, Greub G. Simkania negevensis, an insight into the biology and clinical importance of a novel member of the Chlamydiales order. Crit Rev Microbiol 2016; 43:62-80. [PMID: 27786615 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2016.1165650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simkania negevensis is a Chlamydia-related bacterium discovered in 1993 and represents the founding member of the Simkaniaceae family within the Chlamydiales order. As other Chlamydiales, it is an obligate intracellular bacterium characterized by a biphasic developmental cycle. Its similarities with the pathogenic Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae make it an interesting bacterium. So far, little is known about its biology, but S. negevensis harbors various microbiological characteristics of interest, including a strong association of the Simkania-containing vacuole with the ER and the presence of an intron in the 23S rRNA encoding gene. Evidence of human exposition has been reported worldwide. However, there is a lack of robust clinical studies evaluating its implication in human diseases; current data suggest an association with pneumonia and bronchiolitis making S. negevensis a potential emerging pathogen. Owing to its fastidious growth requirements, the clinical relevance of S. negevensis is probably underestimated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on S. negevensis and explore future research challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Vouga
- a Institute of Microbiology , Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University and University Hospital of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland.,b Department "Femme-Mère-Enfant" , Materno-Fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, University Hospital , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - David Baud
- a Institute of Microbiology , Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University and University Hospital of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland.,b Department "Femme-Mère-Enfant" , Materno-Fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, University Hospital , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- a Institute of Microbiology , Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University and University Hospital of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland.,c Infectious Diseases Unit , University hospital , Lausanne , Switzerland
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Verweij SP, Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Land JA, Ouburg S, Morré SA, Greub G. Waddlia chondrophila and Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in screening infertile women for tubal pathology. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:745-8. [PMID: 26428856 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Since Waddlia chondrophila is closely related to Chlamydia trachomatis, we hypothesise that W. chondrophila may also be associated with tubal factor infertility (TFI) in women, a major complication of chronic C. trachomatis infection. Five hundred twenty serum samples were tested for anti-Waddlia antibodies by ELISA. Among the 520 investigated women, a total number of 142 (27.3%) has had laparoscopic diagnosis performed, and were either classified TFI positive or negative. Presence of high titres of W. chondrophila antibodies was linked to TFI (p < 0.0001; OR: 7.5; 95% CI: 3.3-17). Moreover, antibody positivity to both W. chondrophila and C. trachomatis-MOMP was strongly associated with TFI (p < 0.0001; OR: 21; 95% CI: 3.8-12E1). This association was much stronger than the statistical association of C. trachomatis-MOMP antibodies only (p < 0.0001; OR: 7.1; 95% CI: 3.7-14), suggesting that co-infection with W. chondrophila and C. trachomatis may lead to more severe reproductive sequelae and immune responses than single infection with either Chlamydiales members.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Verweij
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - C Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J A Land
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S Ouburg
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S A Morré
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Institute for Public Health Genomics, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research Institute GROW, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - G Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Fatton M, Greub G. Permissivity of insect cells to Waddlia chondrophila, Estrella lausannensis and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:749-54. [PMID: 26423021 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent large scale studies questioning the presence of intracellular bacteria of the Chlamydiales order in ticks and fleas revealed that arthropods, similarly to mammals, reptiles, birds or fishes, can be colonized by Chlamydia-related bacteria with a predominant representation of the Rhabdochlamydiaceae and Parachlamydiaceae families. We thus investigated the permissivity of two insect cell lines towards Waddlia chondrophila, Estrella lausannensis and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, three bacteria representative of three distinct families within the Chlamydiales order, all documented in ticks and/or in other arthropods. We demonstrated that W. chondrophila and E. lausannensis are able to very efficiently multiply in these insect cell lines. E. lausannensis however induced a rapid cytopathic effect, which somehow restricted its replication. P. acanthamoebae was not able to grow in these cell lines even if inclusions containing a few replicating bacteria could occasionally be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Morgane Fatton
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kebbi-Beghdadi C, Domröse A, Becker E, Cisse OH, Hegemann JH, Greub G. OmpA family proteins and Pmp-like autotransporter: new adhesins of Waddlia chondrophila. Pathog Dis 2015; 73:ftv035. [PMID: 25986220 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Waddlia chondrophila is a obligate intracellular bacterium belonging to the Chlamydiales order, a clade that also includes the well-known classical Chlamydia responsible for a number of severe human and animal diseases. Waddlia is an emerging pathogen associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and abortion in ruminants. Adhesion to the host cell is an essential prerequisite for survival of every strict intracellular bacteria and, in classical Chlamydia, this step is partially mediated by polymorphic outer membrane proteins (Pmps), a family of highly diverse autotransporters that represent about 15% of the bacterial coding capacity. Waddlia chondrophila genome however only encodes one putative Pmp-like protein. Using a proteomic approach, we identified several bacterial proteins potentially implicated in the adhesion process and we characterized their expression during the replication cycle of the bacteria. In addition, we demonstrated that the Waddlia Pmp-like autotransporter as well as OmpA2 and OmpA3, two members of the extended Waddlia OmpA protein family, exhibit adhesive properties on epithelial cells. We hypothesize that the large diversity of the OmpA protein family is linked to the wide host range of these bacteria that are able to enter and multiply in various host cells ranging from protozoa to mammalian and fish cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Kebbi-Beghdadi
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Domröse
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Becker
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ousmane H Cisse
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes H Hegemann
- Institut für Funktionelle Genomforschung der Mikroorganismen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and emerging Chlamydia-related bacteria in ectopic pregnancy in Vietnam. Epidemiol Infect 2014; 143:2635-8. [PMID: 25543825 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268814003616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In this case-control study, we investigated the seroprevalence and molecular evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila in ectopic pregnancies (EP) and uneventful control pregnancies in 343 women from Vietnam. Whereas presence of C. trachomatis IgG was strongly associated with EP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5·41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·58-11·32], its DNA remained undetected in all tubal lesions. We confirmed an independent association between antibodies against Waddlia and previous miscarriage (aOR 1·87, 95% CI 1·02-3·42). Further investigations are needed to understand the clinical significance of Waddlia's high seroprevalence (25·9% in control pregnancies) in this urban population.
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Aistleitner K, Anrather D, Schott T, Klose J, Bright M, Ammerer G, Horn M. Conserved features and major differences in the outer membrane protein composition of chlamydiae. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:1397-413. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Aistleitner
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Dorothea Anrather
- Department of Mass Spectrometry Facility Max F. Perutz Laboratories University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Thomas Schott
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Julia Klose
- Department of Limnology and Oceanography University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Monika Bright
- Department of Limnology and Oceanography University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Gustav Ammerer
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Max F. Perutz Laboratories University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Matthias Horn
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science University of Vienna Vienna Austria
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