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Chimpanzees and humans harbour compositionally similar gut enterotypes
Humans tend to adopt one of a limited number of different bacterial community structures in the gut, known as enterotypes. Moeller et al.now show that these microbial fingerprints are conserved in chimpanzees, and that individuals can switch between enterotypes over periods of several years.
- Andrew H. Moeller
- , Patrick H. Degnan
- & Howard Ochman
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Virtual metagenome reconstruction from 16S rRNA gene sequences
Large-scale sequencing techniques have helped to understand the genetic diversity of little-known microbial communities. These authors demonstrate a cheaper alternative to direct sequencing—the construction of virtual metagenomes using gel electrophoresis and related genome sequences.
- Shujiro Okuda
- , Yuki Tsuchiya
- & Hisao Morisaki
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Tyrosine sulfation in a Gram-negative bacterium
The sulfation of protein tyrosine residues is a common post-translational modification in eukaryotes. Here, Han et al.show that the protein RaxST, produced by a plant bacterium, has tyrosine sulfotransferase activity, demonstrating for the first time tyrosine sulfation in prokaryotes.
- Sang-Wook Han
- , Sang-Won Lee
- & Pamela C. Ronald
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Annotation of microsporidian genomes using transcriptional signals
Microsporidia are widespread human parasites, but limited genome annotation has hampered efforts to understand their biology. Peyretailladeet al. use sequence motifs upstream of start codons to annotate or re-annotate microsporidian genomes and find new genes potentially involved in interactions with the host.
- Eric Peyretaillade
- , Nicolas Parisot
- & Pierre Peyret
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Phylogenetic constraints on ecosystem functioning
It has been proposed that phylogenetic diversity can be used as a proxy to estimate functional diversity and to predict ecosystem functioning. Here, the rapid evolutionary response of marine bacteria is used to study the positive effects of evolutionary history and species diversity on ecosystem productivity.
- Dominique Gravel
- , Thomas Bell
- & Nicolas Mouquet
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| Open AccessA multi-omic map of the lipid-producing yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides
The ability of oleaginous fungi to produce lipids for biofuels remains untapped, in part due to a lack of genetic information required to engineer industrial strains. Zhuet al. present the genome of R. toruloides, and identify transcriptomic and proteomic changes associated with lipid production.
- Zhiwei Zhu
- , Sufang Zhang
- & Zongbao K. Zhao
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| Open AccessStructure of a bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel pore reveals mechanisms of opening and closing
Sodium-gated ion channels open and close in response to the flow of ions. Here, McCusker et al.report the open structure of a sodium-gated ion channel pore from a bacterial homologue, and show, by comparison with the closed structure, that the movement of a C-terminal helix is sufficient to open the channel.
- Emily C. McCusker
- , Claire Bagnéris
- & B.A. Wallace
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Evidence for methane production by saprotrophic fungi
Methane is an important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and is thought to be produced by industrial processes and prokaryotic methanogenic Archaea. In this study, the saprotrophic fungi,Basidiomycetes, is shown to produce methane in the absence of methanogenic Archaea.
- Katharina Lenhart
- , Michael Bunge
- & Frank Keppler
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Organellar mechanosensitive channels in fission yeast regulate the hypo-osmotic shock response
Mechanosensitive channels are required to sense cell swelling in response to osmotic shock. Nakayamaet al.report that Msy1 and Msy2 are the fission yeast homologues of the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscS, and are required for regulating intracellular calcium in response to cell swelling.
- Yoshitaka Nakayama
- , Kenjiro Yoshimura
- & Hidetoshi Iida
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Controlled delivery of bioactive molecules into live cells using the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscL
The bacterial channel protein MscL opens in response to mechanical forces and could be exploited for vesicular-based drug delivery. Doerneret al. show that functional MscL can be expressed in mammalian cells and facilitate the controlled cellular uptake of relatively large, membrane-impermeable bioactive molecules.
- Julia F. Doerner
- , Sebastien Febvay
- & David E. Clapham
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| Open AccessMolecular memory of prior infections activates the CRISPR/Cas adaptive bacterial immunity system
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system protects prokaryotes from foreign DNA. Here, bacteriophage DNA containing mutations that can circumvent this response are shown to be incorporated into the CRISPR locus, allowing bacteria to remember previous infections in an adaptive manner.
- Kirill A. Datsenko
- , Ksenia Pougach
- & Ekaterina Semenova
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| Open AccessGenome sequence of the model medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidumis a macrofungus in traditional Chinese medicine known to produce different bioactive compounds. In this study, the genome ofG. lucidumis sequenced, making this organism a potential model system for future studies of secondary metabolic pathways and their regulation in medicinal fungi.
- Shilin Chen
- , Jiang Xu
- & Chao Sun
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Genomics of DNA cytosine methylation in Escherichia coli reveals its role in stationary phase transcription
How DNA cytosine methylation affects gene expression inEscherichia coli is poorly understood. Here, the first genome-wide study of cytosine methylation in E. coliat single-base resolution reveals that cytosine methylation controls the expression of genes during the stationary growth phase.
- Christina Kahramanoglou
- , Ana I. Prieto
- & Aswin S.N. Seshasayee
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| Open AccessContrasting arbuscular mycorrhizal responses of vascular and non-vascular plants to a simulated Palaeozoic CO2 decline
Vascular plants with root systems evolved in the mid-Palaeozoic with symbiotic fungi. Fieldet al. show that in contrast to non-vascular plants lacking roots, the efficiency of plant–fungal symbiosis increased for vascular plants with root systems as carbon dioxide levels declined in the mid-Palaeozoic.
- Katie J. Field
- , Duncan D. Cameron
- & David J. Beerling
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Adaptive mutations in NEP compensate for defective H5N1 RNA replication in cultured human cells
Adaptive mutations in the avian influenza virus permit replication in mammals but how these mutations enable this effect is unclear. In this study, mutations found in the nuclear export protein of human isolates of H5N1 are shown to enhance the replication of viral RNA in human cells in culture.
- Benjamin Mänz
- , Linda Brunotte
- & Martin Schwemmle
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| Open AccessThe C-terminal helical bundle of the tetrameric prokaryotic sodium channel accelerates the inactivation rate
Many channels have cytosolic domains which regulate channel function. Irieet al. show that the cytosolic C-terminal region of NavSulP, a prokaryotic voltage-gated sodium channel, forms a four-helix bundle which stabilises the tetrameric channel and accelerates channel inactivation.
- Katsumasa Irie
- , Takushi Shimomura
- & Yoshinori Fujiyoshi
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Convergence and coevolution of Hepatitis B virus drug resistance
Lamivudine treatment of hepatitis B is associated with drug-resistance mutations in the virus’ DNA polymerase. In this study, 11 patients with drug resistance are investigated and the primary mutation in the DNA polymerase shown to be essential but not sufficient for establishing drug resistance.
- Hong Thai
- , David S. Campo
- & Yury Khudyakov
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Growth of non-phototrophic microorganisms using solar energy through mineral photocatalysis
Microbial metabolism is usually considered to be phototrophic or chemotrophic. By showing that light-induced photoelectrons from metal oxide and metal sulfides can stimulate the growth of chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria, this study indicates that light may be involved in non-phototrophic microbial activity.
- Anhuai Lu
- , Yan Li
- & Hailiang Dong
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Graphene-based wireless bacteria detection on tooth enamel
Graphene is characterized by unique physical properties that offer substantial promise, most notably for electronic applications. Mannooret al. present a wireless graphene-based sensor for detecting bacteria on a range of biological tissues.
- Manu S. Mannoor
- , Hu Tao
- & Michael C. McAlpine
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Isoniazid resistance without a loss of fitness in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The treatment ofMycobacterium tuberculosis with drugs such as isoniazid often results in drug resistance, but the mechanisms leading to the resistance are not fully known. In this study, an M. tuberculosisstrain lacking the sigma factor I is shown to be resistant to isoniazid.
- Jong-Hee Lee
- , Nicole C. Ammerman
- & William R. Bishai
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Host factors dictate control of viral replication in two HIV-1 controller/chronic progressor transmission pairs
Human immunodeficiency virus patients who maintain low levels of virus or have undetectable levels of virus exist. In this study, the HIV found in two of these patients is shown to replicatein vitro, suggesting that host factors have a role in suppressing virus levels.
- Robert W. Buckheit III
- , Tracy G. Allen
- & Joel N. Blankson
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The GOLD domain-containing protein TMED7 inhibits TLR4 signalling from the endosome upon LPS stimulation
TLRs have a role in innate immunity and TLR4 recognizes lipopolysaccharide on the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. Now, Doyle and colleagues show that a transmembrane protein TMED7, similar to aDrosophilahomologue, can negatively control TLR4 signalling, suggesting a conserved role in innate immunity.
- Sarah L. Doyle
- , Harald Husebye
- & Anne F. McGettrick
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Mapping of H3N2 influenza antigenic evolution in China reveals a strategy for vaccine strain recommendation
Influenza vaccines are updated frequently to accommodate changing influenza antigenicity. Here, the authors develop a new computational method for predicting the antigenicity of H3N2 influenza strains based on the HA sequence.
- Xiangjun Du
- , Libo Dong
- & Taijiao Jiang
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Sensing of mammalian IL-17A regulates fungal adaptation and virulence
It is unclear whether pathogens can advantageously exploit the host's immune response. UsingCandida albicans, the authors show that host IL-17A binds to the fungi and induces nutrient starvation and autophagy, which eventually leads to enhanced biofilm formation and resistance to the hosts' defence.
- Teresa Zelante
- , Rossana G. Iannitti
- & Luigina Romani
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| Open AccessStochastic signalling rewires the interaction map of a multiple feedback network during yeast evolution
GALgenes enhance their own transcription via the transcription factor Gal4p, and the number of Galp4 sites in a promoter is expected to strengthen the feedback. In this study, Hsuet al. show that instead the feedback loops are activated by genes that have frequent bursts of expression and fast RNA decay kinetics.
- Chieh Hsu
- , Simone Scherrer
- & Attila Becskei
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| Open AccessInterferon-γ-producing immature myeloid cells confer protection against severe invasive group A Streptococcus infections
Myeloid cells are important in the response to severe infection by invasiveStreptococcusGroup A. In this study, a distinct population of immature myeloid cells with ring shaped nuclei that produce interferon-γ are shown to be important for protection of mice against the early stages of invasive infection.
- Takayuki Matsumura
- , Manabu Ato
- & Kazuo Kobayashi
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| Open AccessModification of the carboxy-terminal flanking region of a universal influenza epitope alters CD4+ T-cell repertoire selection
Epitopes presented by MHC-II molecules bind to T-cell receptors to activate CD4+ T cells. In this study, changes in the carboxy-terminal region of the influenza hemagglutinin epitope HA305-320alters the strength of binding to the T-cell receptor, thus modulating T-cell receptor usage and activation.
- David K. Cole
- , Kathleen Gallagher
- & Andrew Godkin
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Rapid microbial response to the presence of an ancient relic in the Antarctic Dry Valleys
It is thought that turnover in soil microbiota occurs very slowly in the Antarctic Dry Valleys due to the extreme cold and aridity. Now, Tiaoet al. show that a transformation of microbial communities can happen in a matter of years in soils altered by the presence of a mummified seal.
- Grace Tiao
- , Charles K. Lee
- & S. Craig Cary
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| Open AccessThree-dimensional analysis of ribonucleoprotein complexes in influenza A virus
The influenza A virus genome consists of eight RNA segments, which permits genetic reassortment and contributes to the emergence of novel strains with pandemic potential. Here, electron tomography is used to study the three-dimensional structure of ribonucleoprotein complexes within progeny virions.
- Takeshi Noda
- , Yukihiko Sugita
- & Yoshihiro Kawaoka
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| Open AccessSynthetic quorum-sensing circuit to control consortial biofilm formation and dispersal in a microfluidic device
Engineered biofilms have applications in biorefineries. Here, Honget al. engineer bacteria to produce a combination of dispersal proteins and quorum sensing factors, and show that one dispersing bacterium can eliminate a biofilm formed by a colonizing bacterium.
- Seok Hoon Hong
- , Manjunath Hegde
- & Thomas K. Wood
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Competitive and cooperative metabolic interactions in bacterial communities
Genome-scale metabolic models for bacterial species allow a systematic study of inter-species interactions. Here, competitive and cooperative potential is predicted between 6,903 pairs of species, to explore the role of these interactions in shaping coexistence patterns in natural communities.
- Shiri Freilich
- , Raphy Zarecki
- & Eytan Ruppin
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Binding of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D to nectin-1 exploits host cell adhesion
Herpesvirus glycoprotein D binds to nectin 1 and the herpes virus entry mediator protein on the surface of host cells. In this study, Zhanget al. report the crystal structure of glycoprotein D in complex with the immunoglobulin-like domains of nectin 1, which suggests that binding of glycoprotein D to nectin 1 prevents nectin 1 dimerization.
- Na Zhang
- , Jinghua Yan
- & George F Gao
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| Open AccessGlobal kinomic and phospho-proteomic analyses of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
New approaches are required to combatPlasmodium falciparuminfection. In this proteome-wide study, 1305 phosphorylation sites are identified and 36 kinases are shown to have crucial roles in parasite survival, providing new insights into parasite biology and potential new drug targets for anti-malarial chemotherapy.
- Lev Solyakov
- , Jean Halbert
- & Christian Doerig
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Specific inhibition of bacterial RNase T2 by helix 41 of 16S ribosomal RNA
The 30S ribosomal subunit ofEscherichia coliinhibits the RNA-degrading enzyme Ribonuclease T2. Using mutational studies and hybrid ribosomes, Kitahara and Miyazaki show that helix 41 of the 30S ribosomal subunit blocks the enzyme activity, suggesting that helix 41 is required for preventing RNase T2 toxicity.
- Kei Kitahara
- & Kentaro Miyazaki
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gp96 expression in neutrophils is critical for the onset of Escherichia coli K1 (RS218) meningitis
E. coliK1 can elude the innate immune system and cause neonatal meningitis. This study shows thatE. coli K1 enters polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) using gp96 to reduce the oxidative burst, and that PMN-depleted mice are resistant to E. coliK1 infection, suggesting that PMNs permit bacterial survival in the host.
- Rahul Mittal
- & Nemani V. Prasadarao
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Functionalized arrays of Raman-enhancing nanoparticles for capture and culture-free analysis of bacteria in human blood
Detecting bacteria in clinical samples usually requires culture processes that are time consuming and impede rapid diagnoses. Now, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic method is reported that allows the label- and culture-free detection and analysis of bacteria.
- Ting-Yu Liu
- , Kun-Tong Tsai
- & Yuh-Lin Wang
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Malaria parasite tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase secretion triggers pro-inflammatory responses
Parasites such as malaria elicit an immune response in their host, causing cytokine levels to increase. In this study, a parasite housekeeping gene, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, is shown to bind to host macrophages and, once inside the cells, enhance the levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
- Tarun Kumar Bhatt
- , Sameena Khan
- & Amit Sharma
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| Open AccessThe collagen-binding protein of Streptococcus mutans is involved in haemorrhagic stroke
The risk factors associated with both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke are not fully understood. Here a certain strain of the bacteria,Streptococcus mutans, which expresses a collagen-binding protein, is shown to be associated with haemorrhagic stroke in both animal models and human patients.
- Kazuhiko Nakano
- , Kazuya Hokamura
- & Takashi Ooshima
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| Open AccessAn energy transduction mechanism used in bacterial flagellar type III protein export
A bacterial export gate complex transports flagellar proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane, but the mechanism of this process is unclear. Here, the export gate complex is revealed as a proton–protein antiporter that uses separate components of the proton motive force for different steps of the export process.
- Tohru Minamino
- , Yusuke V. Morimoto
- & Keiichi Namba
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| Open AccessBacterial Pili exploit integrin machinery to promote immune activation and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration
Group BStreptococcuscauses meningitis in newborn infants but how the bacterium crosses the blood-brain barrier is unknown. Here, the bacterial pili adhesion molecule, PilA, is shown to bind to collagen and promote binding of the bacteria to integrins expressed on the blood-brain endothelium.
- Anirban Banerjee
- , Brandon J. Kim
- & Kelly S. Doran
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Location-specific patterns of exposure to recent pre-pandemic strains of influenza A in southern China
Population demographics affect influenza transmission at large spatial scales. Here, influenza immunity is shown to vary spatially in a way unexplained by differences in demographics, suggesting that there are aspects of locations that drive influenza transmission other than individual and household risk factors.
- Justin Lessler
- , Derek A.T. Cummings
- & Steven Riley
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| Open AccessCytosine methylation regulates oviposition in the pathogenic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni
The chronic disease schistosomiasis is caused by the blood flukeSchistosoma mansoni. By studying DNA modifications throughout the lifecycle of the pathogen, the authors identify DNA methylation as a factor in egg development and suggest that the epigenetic machinery responsible may be a therapeutic target.
- Kathrin K. Geyer
- , Carlos M. Rodríguez López
- & Karl F. Hoffmann
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| Open AccessDust inputs and bacteria influence dissolved organic matter in clear alpine lakes
Dissolved organic matter, the main form of aquatic organic carbon, supports the aquatic food web and regulates light penetration in lakes. This study probes the main influences on the optical properties of dissolved organic matter in a global dataset of alpine and remote lakes revealing latitudinal trends.
- N. Mladenov
- , R. Sommaruga
- & I. Reche
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| Open AccessMechanism of 150-cavity formation in influenza neuraminidase
Group-1 influenza A neuramidase proteins have a 150-cavity that can be targeted by drugs, but the 2009 H1N1 virus neuramidase is not thought to have a 150-cavity. Here, biophysical simulations show that the 2009 H1N1 neuramidase exists in solution with an open 150-cavity, which is stabilized by a salt bridge.
- Rommie E. Amaro
- , Robert V. Swift
- & Robin M. Bush
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Chemotactic antiviral cytokines promote infectious apical entry of human adenovirus into polarized epithelial cells
Studying how pathogens enter polarized epithelial cells is important for understanding infection. Here, activation of chemokine receptors on the apical membrane of epithelial cells, is shown to engage Src family tyrosine signalling, resulting in relocation of the viral co-receptor αvβ3 to the apical membrane and adenovirus entry.
- Verena Lütschg
- , Karin Boucke
- & Urs F. Greber
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Identification and characterization of a multidomain hyperthermophilic cellulase from an archaeal enrichment
Archaea are microorganisms that use a wide range of carbon and energy sources. Grahamet al. describe an archaeal consortium that can grow at temperatures above 90 °C using crystalline cellulose as a carbon source, with potential applications in enzymatic degradation under extreme conditions.
- Joel E. Graham
- , Melinda E. Clark
- & Frank T. Robb
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| Open AccessMicroorganisms from aphid honeydew attract and enhance the efficacy of natural enemies
In this study, a bacterium is identified in the honeydew of aphids, which produces volatile chemicals and attracts hoverflies. The findings could aid the development of pest control systems for aphids.
- Pascal D. Leroy
- , Ahmed Sabri
- & Eric Haubruge
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A novel methodology for large-scale phylogeny partition
Phylogenetic analysis is used to identify transmission chains, but no software is available for the automated partition of large phylogenies. Prosperiet al. apply a new search algorithm to identify transmission clusters within the phylogeny of HIV-1gene sequences linking molecular and epidemiological data.
- Mattia C.F. Prosperi
- , Massimo Ciccozzi
- & Andrea De Luca
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| Open AccessA bacterial platform for fermentative production of plant alkaloids
Secondary metabolites are widely used in human health and nutrition, but extraction yields from plants are often low. Nakagawaet al. have engineered the metabolism of Escherichia colito develop a fermentation system that produces plant alkaloids from simple carbon sources.
- Akira Nakagawa
- , Hiromichi Minami
- & Hidehiko Kumagai
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