Table of contents
October 2006 Vol 4 No 10
In this issue
p717 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1520
Editorial: Sharing saves lives
p718 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1519
Research Highlights
Malaria: Hepatic highlights
p719 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1512
Innate immunity: Controlling the microflora...
p720 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1511
Innate immunity: Pick a CARD
p720 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1516
In brief
In Brief
p720 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1517
Fungal genetics: Balancing act
p721 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1510
Virology: Round and round for Dengue
p722 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1507
Bacterial pathogenicity: New tricks for E. coli?
p722 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1513
Industrial microbiology: 'Microdiesel' to the rescue?
p723 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1515
Gene regulation: The logic of sharing
p724 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1514
In brief
In Brief
p724 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1518
News Analysis
Genome watch
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
p725 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1508
Disease watch
In the News
p727 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1509
Reviews
Bacterial RNase P: a new view of an ancient enzyme
Alexei V. Kazantsev and Norman R. Pace
p729 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1491
The ribozyme RNase P catalyses maturation of the 5'-end of tRNA and is found in cells from all three domains of life. Kazantsev and Pace summarize what is known about the bacterial RNase P, bringing together recent structural results with biochemical and phylogenetic data.
Methods for predicting bacterial protein subcellular localization
Jennifer L. Gardy and Fiona S. L. Brinkman
p741 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1494
The computational prediction of the particular cellular compartment that a bacterial protein is destined for is an important aspect of microbiological research. This article discusses the methods currently available to predict bacterial protein localization.
Microorganisms pumping iron: anaerobic microbial iron oxidation and reduction
Karrie A. Weber, Laurie A. Achenbach and John D. Coates
p752 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1490
Anaerobic microbial iron oxidation and reduction contributes significantly to soil and sediment biogeochemistry and mineralogy in anaerobic environments. Here, Weber and colleagues review the diversity of microorganisms involved in these processes, and the unique biochemical challenges associated with utilizing an insoluble metal substrate.
Pathogenesis of prion diseases: current status and future outlook
Adriano Aguzzi and Mathias Heikenwalder
p765 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1492
In recent years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the biology of prions, yet many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Aguzzi and Heikenwalder discuss some of these unanswered questions, focusing on the role of the immune system in prion pathogenesis.
Perspectives
Innovation
Reverse-genetic approaches to the study of Borna disease virus
Juan C. de la Torre
p777 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1489
This article outlines the recently developed reverse-genetics systems for Borna disease virus (BDV), which will provide a powerful tool for the investigation of the cis-acting signals and trans-acting factors that control BDV RNA replication and gene expression.
Science and society
From The Origin of Species to the origin of bacterial flagella
Mark J. Pallen and Nicholas J. Matzke
p784 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1493
Advocates of 'Intelligent Design' cite the bacterial flagellum as an example of an irreducibly complex organelle that cannot have evolved by random mutation and natural selection. Here, the authors present the evidence for an evolutionary origin of flagella.
Innovation
Bioinformatics-assisted anti-HIV therapy
Thomas Lengauer and Tobias Sing
p790 | doi:10.1038/nrmicro1477
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had a major impact on the clinical management of HIV-1 infection. However, the emergence of resistant variants requires that follow-up drug regimens be optimized to maximum therapeutic effect. This article focuses on bioinformatics approaches that can be used to support anti-HIV therapy.
Erratum: Bug juice: harvesting electricity with microorganisms
Derek R. Lovley
doi:10.1038/nrmicro1506