Adaptation... that's what you need?
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 452 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.78
Authors: Chrispin Chaguza & Stephen D. Bentley
This month's Genome Watch highlights how sequencing the genomes of multiple bacterial isolates from humans and animal infection models has revealed the presence of mutations that might represent adaptations for persistence in the host. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - July 10, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Chrispin Chaguza Stephen D. Bentley Tags: News and Analysis Source Type: research
Viral infection: Packing to leave
In this study, Patel, White et al. discover that the hepatitis B virus pre-genome RNA contains specific nucleotide motifs that mediate interactions with the viral capsid protein to drive nucleocapsid assembly. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - July 10, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ashley York Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Structural biology: Cascade keeps its targets in the loop
This study presents cryo-electron microscopy structures of the type I-E Cascade and provides insights into PAM-dependent R-loop formation, Cas3 recruitment and substrate handover. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - July 10, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Andrea Du Toit Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Antimicrobials: Modified sugar compound can clear intestinal colonization by UPEC
This study found a new role for chaperone–usher pathway (CUP) pili in the colonization of the gut by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) and identified a mannoside compound that could be used to prevent their binding to host cells. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - July 3, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Irene Vacca Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Viral effects on the content and function of extracellular vesicles
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 559 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.60
Authors: Nancy Raab-Traub & Dirk P. Dittmer
The release of membrane-bound vesicles from cells is being increasingly recognized as a mechanism of intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) or exosomes are produced by virus-infected cells and are thought to be involved in intercellular communication between infected and uninfected cells. Viruses, in particular oncogenic (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 26, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nancy Raab-Traub Dirk P. Dittmer Tags: Review Source Type: research
Pseudomonas predators: understanding and exploiting phage – host interactions
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 517 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.61
Authors: Jeroen De Smet, Hanne Hendrix, Bob G. Blasdel, Katarzyna Danis-Wlodarczyk & Rob Lavigne
Species in the genus Pseudomonas thrive in a diverse set of ecological niches and include crucial pathogens, such as the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. The bacteriophages that infect Pseudomonas spp. mirror the widespread and diverse (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 26, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jeroen De Smet Hanne Hendrix Bob G. Blasdel Katarzyna Danis-Wlodarczyk Rob Lavigne Tags: Review Source Type: research
Bacterial secretion: Shigella sonnei has the edge
This study shows that a type VI secretion system contributes to the competitiveness of Shigella sonnei. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 26, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Shimona Starling Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
The resilience of the intestinal microbiota influences health and disease
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 630 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.58
Authors: Felix Sommer, Jacqueline Moltzau Anderson, Richa Bharti, Jeroen Raes & Philip Rosenstiel
The composition of the intestinal microbiota varies among individuals and throughout development, and is dependent on host and environmental factors. However, although the microbiota is constantly exposed to environmental challenges, its composition and function in an individual are stable against perturbations, as microbial communities are (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 19, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Felix Sommer Jacqueline Moltzau Anderson Richa Bharti Jeroen Raes Philip Rosenstiel Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
Engineering of obligate intracellular bacteria: progress, challenges and paradigms
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 544 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.59
Authors: Erin E. McClure, Adela S. Oliva Chávez, Dana K. Shaw, Jason A. Carlyon, Roman R. Ganta, Susan M. Noh, David O. Wood, Patrik M. Bavoil, Kelly A. Brayton, Juan J. Martinez, Jere W. McBride, Raphael H. Valdivia, Ulrike G. Munderloh & Joao H. F. Pedra
It is estimated that approximately one billion people are at risk of infection with obligate intracellular bacteria, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms that govern their life cycles. The difficulty in studying Chlamydia spp., Coxiella spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma...
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 19, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Erin E. McClure Adela S. Oliva Ch á vez Dana K. Shaw Jason A. Carlyon Roman R. Ganta Susan M. Noh David O. Wood Patrik M. Bavoil Kelly A. Brayton Juan J. Martinez Jere W. McBride Raphael H. Valdivia Ulrike G. Munderloh Joao H. F. Pedra Tags: Review Source Type: research
Fungal physiology: Acidic pH interferes with Candida persistence
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 382 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.72
Author: Irene Vacca
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can colonize host niches at varying pH. A study by Sherrington et al. shows that the growth of C. albicans in acidic environments results in structural changes to the cell wall that enhance its (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 13, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Irene Vacca Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Viral evolution: Phage infection strategies
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 382 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.71
Author: Irene Vacca
The functional consequences of divergent phage evolution on infection have not been analysed until now. By using transcriptomics analyses, Blasdel et al. compared the infection strategies of two evolutionarily related phages, PAK_P3 and PAK_P4, against the same Pseudomonas aeruginosa host strain. They showed (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 13, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Irene Vacca Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Parasite biology: New insights into Plasmodium hepatocyte entry
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 382 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.70
Author: Irene Vacca
Liver infection by Plasmodium spp. sporozoites is a crucial initial step in the life cycle of malaria parasites; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Now, a new study provides molecular insights into hepatocyte invasion by Plasmodium spp. sporozoites. The authors (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 13, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Irene Vacca Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research
Transmission of the gut microbiota: spreading of health
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 531 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.50
Authors: Hilary P. Browne, B. Anne Neville, Samuel C. Forster & Trevor D. Lawley
Transmission of commensal intestinal bacteria between humans could promote health by establishing, maintaining and replenishing microbial diversity in the microbiota of an individual. Unlike pathogens, the routes of transmission for commensal bacteria remain unappreciated and poorly understood, despite the likely commonalities between both. Consequently, broad (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 12, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Hilary P. Browne B. Anne Neville Samuel C. Forster Trevor D. Lawley Tags: Review Source Type: research
Variant surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum and their roles in severe malaria
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 479 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.47
Authors: Mats Wahlgren, Suchi Goel & Reetesh R. Akhouri
Proliferation and differentiation inside erythrocytes are important steps in the life cycle of Plasmodium spp. To achieve these, the parasites export polypeptides to the surface of infected erythrocytes; for example, to import nutrients and to bind to other erythrocytes and the host microvasculature. Binding (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 12, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mats Wahlgren Suchi Goel Reetesh R. Akhouri Tags: Review Source Type: research
Anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery: an ongoing challenge and a continuing need
Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 447 (2017).
doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.69
Author: Mark C. Field, David Horn, Alan H. Fairlamb, Michael A. J. Ferguson, David W. Gray, Kevin D. Read, Manu De Rycker, Leah S. Torrie, Paul G. Wyatt, Susan Wyllie & Ian H. Gilbert
Nature Reviews Microbiology15, 217–231 (2017)In figure 2b of this article, the structures of Pafuramidine and DB75 were incorrect. The mistakes have been corrected in the PDF and online. The authors apologize to readers for any confusion caused. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - June 5, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mark C. Field David Horn Alan H. Fairlamb Michael A. J. Ferguson David W. Gray Kevin D. Read Manu De Rycker Leah S. Torrie Paul G. Wyatt Susan Wyllie Ian H. Gilbert Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
