Volume 9 Issue 11, November 2011

Two research groups have now identified NAIP proteins as substrate-specific receptors for the NLRC4 inflammasome.

The genome sequence and subsequent transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the fungusArthrobotrys oligosporaprovide insight into the carnivorous lifestyle of such nematophagous fungi.

Targetting virulence mechanisms rather than growth does not prevent resistance in bacterial pathogens.

A new paper reveals that HCMV can escape a neutralizing antibody by incorporating it into assembling virions.

Binding of α-haemolysin to ADAM10 leads to epithelial barrier disruption duringS. aureusinfection.

A recent paper identifies a new protein family involved in bacterial cell wall assembly.

This month's Genome Watch discusses the genome of the free-living amoeboflagellate protistNaegleria gruberi.

Our monthly round-up of infectious diseases news, which this month includes the Lasker Award for the discovery of artemisinin, the discovery of a new tick-borne disease and the development of a new tuberculosis vaccine.

Prions are infectious self-replicating proteins that can cause neurodegenerative disorders such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Here, Colby and Prusiner discuss recent advances in the generation of synthetic prion strains that may lead to new insights into the structure of prions and the mechanisms by which they originate and propagate.

Under normal conditions, the components of a toxin–antitoxin (TA) system form a stable complex, blocking toxin activity. However, when the cell is stressed, the antitoxin is degraded, freeing the toxin to cause damage. Here, Yamaguchi and Inouye describe the TA systems found inEscherichia coliand their role in regulating cell growth and death.

Many microorganisms produce secondary metabolites to protect their molecular constituents from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Here, Gao and Garcia-Pichel describe our current understanding of the best known examples of these microbial ultraviolet sunscreens, including their biosynthesis, regulation and potential applications.

Until recently, it was though that the microbial degradation of aromatic compounds was absolutely dependent on the use of molecular oxygen for ring cleavage. However, as described here by Fuchs and colleagues, microorganisms have other ways of breaking down these compounds when oxygen is scarce or absent.

Non-transcriptional events can have a large effect on the dynamics of regulatory processes. Here, Ray, Tabor and Igoshin describe how post-transcriptional and post-translational events can affect the performance of regulatory processes in bacteria.