Molecular Microbiology
Biosynthesis
Mycobacteria
Metabolites
Microbiome
Biosynthesis of mycobacterial polysaccharides
Biology of nontuberculous mycobacteria
Microbiome studies in chronic diseases
Despite the monumental advances in science in recent decades, infectious diseases remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. This pressing situation is exacerbated by the rapidly growing antimicrobial resistance trend in synergy with an aged population and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Consequently, integrated approaches that include the role of the human gut microbiome became essential to investigate infectious diseases and other disorders.
Mycobacteria have been killing millions of humans for far too long and new treatments are more urgent than ever (WHO, 2017). Although the genomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been available for several years, the functions of many genes remain undisclosed, delaying the path toward new therapies. Considering that we are daily exposed to NTM in a looming but neglected public health threat, we will continue investigating the biosynthesis of vital mycobacterial polysaccharides in a quest for new targets for innovative therapies and will also explore the biology of adaptation of NTM to anthropogenic environments.
Our group is also focused on deciphering microbiome signatures of the dysbiotic gut in neurodegenerative and other chronic diseases in view of preventive or bacteriotherapeutic approaches combining NGS data and unique microbial culture collections recently created at CNC. In this context we are also interested in identifying the microbial pathways for biosynthesis of neuroactive metabolites and how they modulate microbiota homeostasis and host susceptibility to disease.
Information about journal articles, updated at 19-03-2023, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.
The Role of Bacteria-Mitochondria Communication in the Activation of Neuronal Innate Immunity: Implications to Parkinson's Disease
Magalhães JD, 2023. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 5. 24. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054339 . 10.3390/ijms24054339 . published International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Self-recycling and partially conservative replication of mycobacterial methylmannose polysaccharides
Maranha A; Pereira PJB, Empadinhas N, 2023. Communications Biology. 1. 6. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-04448-3 . 10.1038/s42003-023-04448-3 . published Communications Biology
Footprints of a microbial toxin from the gut microbiome to mesencephalic mitochondria
Esteves AR; Alarico S, 2023. Gut. 73 - 89. 1. 72. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326023 . 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326023 . published Gut
Neurodegenerative Microbially-Shaped Diseases: Oxidative Stress Meets Neuroinflammation
Silva DF, 2022. Antioxidants. 11. 11. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112141 . 10.3390/antiox11112141 . published Antioxidants
Parkinson's Disease: A Multisystem Disorder
Costa HN, 2022. Neuroscience Bulletin. 113 - 124. 1. 39. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12264-022-00934-6 . 10.1007/s12264-022-00934-6 . Neuroscience Bulletin
Enzyme promiscuity in serotonin biosynthesis, from bacteria to plants and humans
Gonçalves S, 2022. Frontiers in Microbiology. 13. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.873555 . 10.3389/fmicb.2022.873555 . published Frontiers in Microbiology
Sequential scCO2 drying and sterilisation of alginate-gelatine aerogels for biomedical applications
Bento C, 2022. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids. 184. 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2022.105570 . 10.1016/j.supflu.2022.105570 . published The Journal of Supercritical Fluids
The Mitochondrial Ribosome: A World of Opportunities for Mitochondrial Dysfunction Toward Parkinson's Disease
Gonçalves AM, 2021. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. 694 - 711. 8. 34. 2021. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ars.2019.7997 . 10.1089/ars.2019.7997 . published Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
Improved diabetic wound healing by bovine lactoferricin is associated with relevant changes in the skin immune response and microbiota
Mouritzen MV, 2021. Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development. 726 - 739. 20. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omtm.2021.02.008 . 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.02.008 . published Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development
The neuromicrobiology of Parkinson's disease: A unifying theory
Muñoz-Pinto MF, 2021. Ageing Research Reviews. 70. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101396 . 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101396 . published Ageing Research Reviews
Editorial: Interplay Between Nutrition, the Intestinal Microbiota and the Immune System
Oriá RB, 2020. Frontiers in Immunology. 11. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01758 . 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01758 . published Frontiers in Immunology
Stabilization of blood for long-term storage can affect antibody-based recognition of cell surface markers
Silva MB; Färnert A, 2020. Journal of Immunological Methods. 481. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jim.2020.112792 . 10.1016/j.jim.2020.112792 . published Journal of Immunological Methods
Microbial BMAA elicits mitochondrial dysfunction, innate immunity activation and Alzheimer's disease features in cortical neurons
Silva DF, 2020. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 332. 17. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12974-020-02004-y . 10.1186/s12974-020-02004-y . published Journal of Neuroinflammation
A genuine mycobacterial thermophile: Mycobacterium hassiacum growth, survival and GpgS stability at near-pasteurization temperatures
Alarico S, 2020. Microbiology. 474 - 483. 5. 166. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000898 . 10.1099/mic.0.000898 . published Microbiology
Microbial BMAA and the Pathway for Parkinson's Disease Neurodegeneration
Nunes-Costa D, 2020. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 12. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00026 . 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00026 . published Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
The structural characterization of a glucosylglycerate hydrolase provides insights into the molecular mechanism of mycobacterial recovery from nitrogen starvation
Cereija TB, 2019. IUCrJ. 572 - 585. 4. 6. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052252519005372 . 10.1107/S2052252519005372 . published IUCrJ
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Rare Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolated from Surfaces of a Hospital
Tiago I, 2019. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 21. 8. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00496-19 . 10.1128/MRA.00496-19 . published Microbiology Resource Announcements
Biosynthesis of mycobacterial methylmannose polysaccharides requires a unique 1-O-methyltransferase specific for 3-O-methylated mannosides
Ripoll-Rozada J; Pereira PJB; Empadinhas N, 2019. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 201813450 - 201813450. 2019. https://www.pnas.org/content/116/3/835.long . 10.1073/pnas.1813450116 . published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Studies of antimicrobial resistance in rare mycobacteria from a nosocomial environment
Pereira SG, 2019. BMC Microbiology. 1. 19. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12866-019-1428-4 . 10.1186/s12866-019-1428-4 . published BMC Microbiology
Molecular Fingerprints for a Novel Enzyme Family in Actinobacteria with Glucosamine Kinase Activity
Manso JA, 2019. mBio. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00239-19 . 10.1128/mBio.00239-19 . published mBio
The Microbiome-Mitochondria Dance in Prodromal Parkinson’s Disease
Cardoso SM, Empadinhas N, 2018. Frontiers in Physiology. 9. 2018. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00471/full . 10.3389/fphys.2018.00471 . published Frontiers in Physiology
Production, crystallization and structure determination of a mycobacterial glucosylglycerate hydrolase
Cereija TB, 2017. Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology Communications. 536 - 540. 9. 73. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1107%2Fs2053230x17012419 . 10.1107/S2053230X17012419 . published Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology Communications
Hospital microbial surface colonization revealed during monitoring of Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Farias PG, 2017. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 863 - 876. 7. 110. 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10482-017-0857-z . 10.1007/s10482-017-0857-z . published Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Microbiota of Chronic Diabetic Wounds: Ecology, Impact, and Potential for Innovative Treatment Strategies
Pereira SG, 2017. Frontiers in Microbiology. 8. 2017. https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffmicb.2017.01791 . 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01791 . published Frontiers in Microbiology
Glucosylglycerate metabolism, bioversatility and mycobacterial survival
Nunes-Costa D, 2016. Glycobiology. 213 - 227. 27. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cww132 . 10.1093/glycob/cww132 . published Glycobiology
The looming tide of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in Portugal and Brazil
Nunes-Costa D, 2016. Tuberculosis. 107 - 119. 96. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tube.2015.09.006 . 10.1016/j.tube.2015.09.006 . published Tuberculosis
Octanoylation of early intermediates of mycobacterial methylglucose lipopolysaccharides
Maranha A; Clarke AJ, Empadinhas N, 2015. Scientific Reports. 1. 5. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep13610 . 10.1038/srep13610 . published Scientific Reports
Structure of Mycobacterium thermoresistibile GlgE defines novel conformational states that contribute to the catalytic mechanism
Mendes V, 2015. Scientific Reports. 1. 5. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep17144 . 10.1038/srep17144 . published Scientific Reports
Structure of mycobacterial maltokinase, the missing link in the essential GlgE-pathway
Fraga JS, 2015. Scientific Reports. 5. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08026 . 10.1038/srep08026 . published Scientific Reports
Autophagy in the fight against tuberculosis
Bento CF, 2014. DNA and Cell Biology. 228 - 242. 4. 34. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1089/dna.2014.2745 . 10.1089/dna.2014.2745 . published DNA and Cell Biology
Mycobacterium hassiacum recovers from nitrogen starvation with up-regulation of a novel glucosylglycerate hydrolase and depletion of the accumulated glucosylglycerate
Alarico S, 2014. Scientific Reports. 1. 4. 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep06766 . 10.1038/srep06766 . published Scientific Reports
The molecular biology of mycobacterial trehalose in the quest for advanced tuberculosis therapies
Nobre A, 2014. Microbiology (United Kingdom). 1547 - 1570. PART 8. 160. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.075895-0 . 10.1099/mic.0.075895-0 . published Microbiology (United Kingdom)
The plant Selaginella moellendorffii possesses enzymes for synthesis and hydrolysis of the compatible solutes mannosylglycerate and glucosylglycerate
Nobre A, 2013. Planta. 891 - 901. 3. 237. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-012-1808-6 . 10.1007/s00425-012-1808-6 . published Planta
A new bacterial hydrolase specific for the compatible solutes alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1,2)-D-glycerate and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1,2)-D-glycerate
Alarico S, 2013. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 77 - 83. 2. 52. 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2012.10.008 . 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2012.10.008 . published Enzyme and Microbial Technology
Genome sequence of Mycobacterium hassiacum DSM 44199, a rare source of heat-stable mycobacterial proteins
Tiago I, 2012. Journal of Bacteriology. 7010 - 7011. 24. 194. 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.01880-12 . 10.1128/JB.01880-12 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Biosynthesis of mycobacterial methylglucose lipopolysaccharides
Mendes V, 2012. Natural Product Reports. 834 - 844. 8. 29. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1039/C2NP20014G . 10.1039/c2np20014g . published Natural Product Reports
Functional and structural characterization of a novel mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase from Rubrobacter xylanophilus reveals its dual substrate specificity
Empadinhas N, 2011. Molecular Microbiology. 76 - 93. 1. 79. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07432.x . 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07432.x . published Molecular Microbiology
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv2419c, the missing glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase for the second step in methylglucose lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis
Mendes V, 2011. Scientific Reports. 1. 1. 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep00177 . 10.1038/srep00177 . published Scientific Reports
Diversity, biological roles and biosynthetic pathways for sugar-glycerate containing compatible solutes in bacteria and archaea
Empadinhas N, da Costa MS, 2011. Environmental Microbiology. 2056 - 2077. 8. 13. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2010.02390.x . 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2010.02390.x . published Environmental Microbiology
Two alternative pathways for the synthesis of the rare compatible solute mannosylglucosylglycerate in Petrotoga mobilis
Fernandes C, 2010. Journal of Bacteriology. 1624 - 1633. 6. 192. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.01424-09 . 10.1128/JB.01424-09 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Biochemical characterization of the maltokinase from Mycobacterium bovis BCG
Mendes V, 2010. BMC Biochemistry. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2091-11-21 . 10.1186/1471-2091-11-21 . published BMC Biochemistry
Identification of the mycobacterial glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase
Empadinhas N, 2008. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 195 - 202. 2. 280. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.01064.x . 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.01064.x . published FEMS Microbiology Letters
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase from Rubrobacter xylanophilus
Sá-Moura B, 2008. Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications. 760 - 763. 8. 64. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1107/S1744309108021490 . 10.1107/S1744309108021490 . published Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications
A Unique Combination of Genetic Systems for the Synthesis of Trehalose in Rubrobacter xylanophilus: Properties of a Rare Actinobacterial TreT
Nobre A, 2008. Journal of Bacteriology. 7939 - 7946. 24. 190. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.01055-08 . 10.1128/jb.01055-08 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Osmoadaptation mechanisms in prokaryotes: Distribution of compatible solutes
Empadinhas N, da Costa MS, 2008. International Microbiology. 151 - 161. 3. 11. 2008. https://europepmc.org/article/med/18843593 . 10.2436/20.1501.01.55 . published International Microbiology
Mycobacterium tuberculosis glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase: Structure of a key enzyme in methylglucose lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis
Pereira PJB, 2008. PLoS ONE. 11. 3. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003748 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0003748 . published PLoS ONE
Molecular and physiological role of the trehalose-hydrolyzing a-glucosidase from Thermus thermophilus HB27
Alarico S, 2008. Journal of Bacteriology. 2298 - 2305. 7. 190. 2008. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-41549086172&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.01794-07 . published Journal of Bacteriology
To be or not to be a compatible solute: Bioversatility of mannosylglycerate and glucosylglycerate
Empadinhas N, da Costa MS, 2008. Systematic and Applied Microbiology. 159 - 168. 3. 31. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2008.05.002 . 10.1016/j.syapm.2008.05.002 . published Systematic and Applied Microbiology
Bifunctional CTP:inositol-1-phosphate cytidylyltransferase/CDP-inositol: Inositol-1-phosphate transferase, the key enzyme for di-myo-inositol-phosphate synthesis in several (hyper)thermophiles
Rodrigues MV, 2007. Journal of Bacteriology. 5405 - 5412. 15. 189. 2007. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34547629796&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.00465-07 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Mannosylglycerate is essential for osmotic adjustment in Thermus thermophilus strains HB27 and RQ-1
Alarico S, 2007. Extremophiles. 833 - 840. 6. 11. 2007. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-35748948644&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1007/s00792-007-0106-x . published Extremophiles
Glucosylglycerate biosynthesis in the deepest lineage of the Bacteria: Characterization of the thermophilic proteins GpgS and GpgP from Persephonella marina
Costa J, 2007. Journal of Bacteriology. 1648 - 1654. 5. 189. 2007. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33947366922&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.00841-06 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Single-step pathway for synthesis of glucosylglycerate in Persephonella marina
Fernandes C, 2007. Journal of Bacteriology. 4014 - 4019. 11. 189. 2007. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34249786874&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.00075-07 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Organic solutes in Rubrobacter xylanophilus: The first example of di-myo-inositol-phosphate in a thermophile
Empadinhas N, 2007. Extremophiles. 667 - 673. 5. 11. 2007. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34548303944&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1007/s00792-007-0084-z . published Extremophiles
Diversity and biosynthesis of compatible solutes in hyper/thermophiles
Empadinhas N, da Costa MS, 2006. International Microbiology. 199 - 206. 3. 9. 2006. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33750584278&partnerID=MN8TOARS . published International Microbiology
Characterization of the biosynthetic pathway of glucosylglycerate in the archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii
Costa J, 2006. Journal of Bacteriology. 1022 - 1030. 3. 188. 2006. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-31344453995&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.188.3.1022-1030.2006 . published Journal of Bacteriology
Distribution of genes for synthesis of trehalose and mannosylglycerate in Thermus spp. and direct correlation of these genes with halotolerance
Alarico S, 2005. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2460 - 2466. 5. 71. 2005. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-18444382346&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/AEM.71.5.2460-2466.2005 . published Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Meiothermus timidus sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic yellow-pigmented species
Pires AL, 2005. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 39 - 45. 1. 245. 2005. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-15744405109&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.011 . published FEMS Microbiology Letters
Specialized Roles of the Two Pathways for the Synthesis of Mannosylglycerate in Osmoadaptation and Thermoadaptation of Rhodothermus marinus
Borges N, 2004. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 9892 - 9898. 11. 279. 2004. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-1642279326&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1074/jbc.M312186200 . published Journal of Biological Chemistry
A gene from the mesophilic bacterium Dehalococcoides ethenogenes encodes a novel mannosylglycerate synthase
Empadinhas N, 2004. Journal of Bacteriology. 4075 - 4084. 13. 186. 2004. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-3042523198&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/JB.186.13.4075-4084.2004 . published Journal of Bacteriology
The Bacterium Thermus thermophilus , Like Hyperthermophilic Archaea, Uses a Two-Step Pathway for the Synthesis of Mannosylglycerate
Empadinhas N, 2003. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 3272 - 3279. 6. 69. 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.69.6.3272-3279.2003 . 10.1128/aem.69.6.3272-3279.2003 . published Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Gamma-Proteobacteria Aquicella lusitana gen. nov., sp. nov., and Aquicella siphonis sp. nov. Infect Protozoa and Require Activated Charcoal for Growth in Laboratory Media
Santos P, 2003. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 6533 - 6540. 11. 69. 2003. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0242573382&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/AEM.69.11.6533-6540.2003 . published Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Rubritepida flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov., a New Slightly Thermophilic Member of the a-1 Subclass of the Proteobacteria
Alarico S, 2002. Systematic and Applied Microbiology. 198 - 206. 2. 25. 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0723-2020-00116 . 10.1078/0723-2020-00116 . published Systematic and Applied Microbiology
Albidovulum inexpectatum gen. nov., sp. nov., a nonphotosynthetic and slightly thermophilic bacterium from a marine hot spring that is very closely related to members of the photosynthetic genus Rhodovulum
Albuquerque L, 2002. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 4266 - 4273. 9. 68. 2002. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0036729238&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1128/AEM.68.9.4266-4273.2002 . published Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Pathway for the synthesis of mannosylglycerate in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii: Biochemical and genetic characterization of key enzymes
Empadinhas N, 2001. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 43580 - 43588. 47. 276. 2001. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0035941355&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1074/jbc.M108054200 . published Journal of Biological Chemistry
Biosynthesis of mannosylglycerate in the thermophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus. Biochemical and genetic characterization of a mannosylglycerate synthase
Martins LO, 1999. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 35407 - 35414. 50. 274. 1999. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0033544948&partnerID=MN8TOARS . 10.1074/jbc.274.50.35407 . published Journal of Biological Chemistry
5 65 out of 65 Publications
Thomé-Villar Award, Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia/Boehringer Ingelheim
Prémio Santa Casa Neurociências Mantero Belard, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa
19th Exploratory Research Grant, Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience, Japan
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