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In addition to their phagocytic activity, neutrophils can also kill microorganisms by the release of neutrophil extracellular traps or NETs — fibrous extracellular structures that are composed of chromatin with proteins from the neutrophilic granules attached. Brinkmann and Zychlinsky provide an overview of the structure, function and generation of NETs.
Carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) are a family of diverse molecules that can bind to specific glycan structures on viruses or target cells. Jan Balzarini describes a new antiviral mechanism that is based on the specific interaction of CBAs with the glycans that are present on viral-envelope glycoproteins.
RNA pseudoknots have been identified in many different viral and cellular RNAs and are known to have various roles in virus and cellular gene expression. Here, Ian Brierley and colleagues review viral pseudoknots and the role of these structural motifs in virus gene expression and genome replication.
Several prions have been identified in fungi, where they behave as non-chromosomal cytoplasmic genetic elements that are transmitted from cell to cell during cell fusion. In this Review, Reed B. Wickner and colleagues take an in-depth look at the biology and structure of fungal prions.
The symbiotic relationship between leguminous plants and rhizobial bacteria is one of the most well-studied microbial symbioses. The availability of genome sequence information for many of the bacterial and plant partners involved has been invaluable and in this article, the authors review the most recent discoveries about the mutual recognition betweenSinorhizobium meliloti and Medicago truncatula.
Although microorganisms have gained notoriety as pathogens, many interactions with microorganisms benefit hosts and can affect development, immunity and nutrition. This Review discusses common features of pathogenic and mutualistic interactions that have arisen from studies withXenorhabdus nematophila, which influences the lives of two different host animals.
This Timeline examines the legacy of nineteenth-century microbiology in relation to plant and animal biogeography of the time. The particular focus is Beijerinck's experimental and theoretical work, and what it implies for twentieth century studies of microbial biodiversity and biogeography.
