Article
|
Open Access
Featured
-
-
Comment
| Open AccessThe great escape: a Shigella effector unlocks the septin cage
Shigella, an important human pathogen, can secrete effector proteins to invade host cells and evade mechanisms of cell-autonomous immunity. In a new manuscript published in Nature Communications, Xian et al. report that the Shigella kinase effector OspG promotes the ubiquitination of septin cytoskeletal proteins to evade cage entrapment.
- Ana T. López-Jiménez
- , Gizem Özbaykal Güler
- & Serge Mostowy
-
Article
| Open AccessThe Shigella kinase effector OspG modulates host ubiquitin signaling to escape septin-cage entrapment
Here, Xian et al. use phosphoproteomics to identify that the Shigella effector OspG interacts with a regulator of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases to promote the ubiquitination of septins and consequent inhibition of septin cage formation.
- Wei Xian
- , Jiaqi Fu
- & Xiaoyun Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessAllosteric regulation by c-di-AMP modulates a complete N-acetylglucosamine signaling cascade in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
c-di-AMP is essential for bacterial signaling. Here, the authors identify the GlcNAc-sensing regulator DasR as a c-di-AMP receptor and provide molecular insight into their signaling effect on the developmental and antibiotic biosynthesis control across Actinobacteria.
- Di You
- , Liu-Chang Zhao
- & Bang-Ce Ye
-
Article
| Open AccessEndogenous clock-mediated regulation of intracellular oxygen dynamics is essential for diazotrophic growth of unicellular cyanobacteria
The authors investigate the circadian clock in a unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium. They demonstrate the role of the clock in regulating intracellular oxygen dynamics, a necessity to accommodate nitrogen fixation in an oxygen-producing cell.
- Anindita Bandyopadhyay
- , Annesha Sengupta
- & Himadri B. Pakrasi
-
Article
| Open AccessLifecycle of a predatory bacterium vampirizing its prey through the cell envelope and S-layer
The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio exovorus attaches on the surface on other bacteria and feeds on them. Here, the authors study the lifecycle of B. exovorus, showing that it proliferates by non-binary division, firm junctions are established between prey and predator outer membranes, and a proteinaceous S-layer does not protect prey cells against predation.
- Yoann G. Santin
- , Adrià Sogues
- & Géraldine Laloux
-
Article
| Open AccessCell cycle dependent coordination of surface layer biogenesis in Caulobacter crescentus
Surface layers (S-layers) are proteinaceous, two-dimensional paracrystalline arrays that constitute a major component of the cell envelope in many prokaryotic species. Here, Herdman et al. investigate S-layer biogenesis in the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, providing insights into its coordination with the synthesis of other cell envelope components.
- Matthew Herdman
- , Buse Isbilir
- & Tanmay A. M. Bharat
-
Article
| Open AccessAn experimental framework to assess biomolecular condensates in bacteria
The small cell size of bacteria is a key hurdle in studying condensates. To address this challenge, the authors develop an experimental framework to assess bacterial condensates based on how they form, dissolve, tune shape and size, and transition between material states.
- Y Hoang
- , Christopher A. Azaldegui
- & Anthony G. Vecchiarelli
-
Article
| Open AccessKdpD is a tandem serine histidine kinase that controls K+ pump KdpFABC transcriptionally and post-translationally
KdpD is known as the sensory histidine kinase of two-component system KdpDE that controls the transcription of the kdpFABC genes. Here, the authors show that KdpD acts as atypical serine kinase, which post-translationally regulates KdpFABC.
- Jakob M. Silberberg
- , Sophie Ketter
- & Inga Hänelt
-
Article
| Open AccessSalmonella exploits membrane reservoirs for invasion of host cells
The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells can fold inwards to create reservoirs that store or release excess membrane. Zhu et al. show that Salmonella-secreted effectors modulate these reservoirs to facilitate host cell invasion.
- Hongxian Zhu
- , Andrew M. Sydor
- & John H. Brumell
-
Article
| Open AccessLipoarabinomannan mediates localized cell wall integrity during division in mycobacteria
Mycobacteria have a unique cell envelope that includes characteristic lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan. Here, Sparks et al. show that this lipoglycan plays roles in maintenance of local cell envelope integrity and septal placement during cell division.
- Ian L. Sparks
- , Takehiro Kado
- & Yasu S. Morita
-
Article
| Open AccessCell-lysis sensing drives biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae
Bacteria form matrix-encapsulated communities, called biofilms, which protect resident cells from environmental challenges. Here, the authors show that Vibrio cholerae cells detect environmental threats by sensing a cellular component released through kin cell lysis, which induces formation of biofilms by surviving cells.
- Jojo A. Prentice
- , Robert van de Weerd
- & Andrew A. Bridges
-
Article
| Open AccessFusobacterium nucleatum promotes tumor progression in KRAS p.G12D-mutant colorectal cancer by binding to DHX15
Several studies have shown that Fusobacterium nucleatum aggravates colorectal cancer (CRC) development and chemoresistance. Here the authors show that F. nucleatum is enriched preferentially in patients with KRAS p.G12D mutant CRC and that it promotes colorectal tumorigenesis in preclinical models by binding DHX15 on tumor cells.
- Huiyuan Zhu
- , Man Li
- & Huanlong Qin
-
Article
| Open AccessGonococcal OMV-delivered PorB induces epithelial cell mitophagy
Neisseria gonorrhoeae secretes outer membrane vesicles (OMV) during colonization of epithelial cells. Here, the authors demonstrate that gonococcal OMVs induce epithelial cell mitophagy by a PorB-dependent mechanism to enhance intracellular survival.
- Shuai Gao
- , Lingyu Gao
- & Stijn van der Veen
-
Article
| Open AccessTcrXY is an acid-sensing two-component transcriptional regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis required for persistent infection
Stupar et al. describe a new role for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis two-component system, TcrXY, in the modulation of up to 70 genes, including two effectors, TarA and TarB which mitigate intracellular redox stress.
- Miljan Stupar
- , Lendl Tan
- & Nicholas P. West
-
Article
| Open AccessMosquito midgut stem cell cellular defense response limits Plasmodium parasite infection
Here, the authors study the cellular response of midgut progenitors in Anopheles stephensi to Plasmodium berghei infection. They show that midgut stem cells are able to detect Plasmodium oocysts and eliminate them in a Jak/STAT pathway dependent manner.
- Ana-Beatriz F. Barletta
- , Jamie C. Smith
- & Carolina Barillas-Mury
-
Article
| Open AccessIdentification of structural and regulatory cell-shape determinants in Haloferax volcanii
Key cellular processes, such as cell-shape determination, are poorly understood in archaea. Here, Schiller et al. study the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii, which forms rods and disks, and identify a diverse set of proteins important for these processes, including a new actin homolog that plays a role in the formation of disk-shaped cells.
- Heather Schiller
- , Yirui Hong
- & Mechthild Pohlschroder
-
Article
| Open AccessMicrotubules provide force to promote membrane uncoating in vacuolar escape for a cyto-invasive bacterial pathogen
Shigella enters human cells in a phagocytic vacuole and then escapes the vacuole to colonize the cytosol. Here, Chang and coworkers show that Shigella uses a bacterial effector to subvert host Rab proteins, microtubules and molecular motors to provide mechanical force to facilitate Shigella escape.
- Yuen-Yan Chang
- , Camila Valenzuela
- & John Rohde
-
Article
| Open AccessLsr2 acts as a cyclic di-GMP receptor that promotes keto-mycolic acid synthesis and biofilm formation in mycobacteria
Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that promotes biofilm formation through unclear mechanisms in several bacterial species. Here, Ling et al. report that c-di-GMP promotes biofilm formation in mycobacteria by binding to protein Lsr2, which upregulates the synthesis of keto-mycolic acid and thus biofilm formation.
- Xiaocui Ling
- , Xiao Liu
- & Weihui Li
-
Article
| Open AccessLOX-1 acts as an N6-methyladenosine-regulated receptor for Helicobacter pylori by binding to the bacterial catalase
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of mRNA regulates gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, Zeng et al. show that m6A modification of mRNAs contributes to protection against the pathogen Helicobacter pylori by downregulating a host protein that acts as receptor for the pathogen.
- Judeng Zeng
- , Chuan Xie
- & William K. K. Wu
-
Article
| Open AccessCross-feeding promotes heterogeneity within yeast cell populations
Cellular heterogeneity in cell populations of isogenic origin is driven by diverse factors such as nutrient availability and interactions with neighbouring cells. Here, Hu et al. study plasmid retention dynamics in yeast populations, and show that the exchange of complementary metabolites between plasmid-carrying prototrophs and plasmid-free auxotrophs allows the latter to proliferate in selective environments.
- Kevin K. Y. Hu
- , Ankita Suri
- & Victoria S. Haritos
-
Article
| Open AccessSpatial structure, chemotaxis and quorum sensing shape bacterial biomass accumulation in complex porous media
Pores and channels within complex porous structures, such as the soil or the human gut, influence fluid flow and thus bacterial colonization. Here, Scheidweiler et al. study bacterial colonization of a model complex porous structure and show how the interactions between fluid flow, microscale structure, chemotaxis, and gradients of a quorum-sensing signaling molecule control the heterogenous accumulation of bacterial biomass.
- David Scheidweiler
- , Ankur Deep Bordoloi
- & Pietro de Anna
-
Article
| Open AccessPhage Paride can kill dormant, antibiotic-tolerant cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by direct lytic replication
Bacteriophages have primarily been studied using fast-growing laboratory cultures of their bacterial hosts. Here, Maffei et al. show that diverse phages can infect deep-dormant bacteria and suspend their replication until the host resuscitates; however, a particular phage can directly replicate and induce the lysis of deep-dormant hosts.
- Enea Maffei
- , Anne-Kathrin Woischnig
- & Alexander Harms
-
Article
| Open AccessA unique sigma/anti-sigma system in the actinomycete Actinoplanes missouriensis
Bacteria of the genus Actinoplanes form sporangia which, upon contact with water, release motile spores. Here, the authors study the mechanisms behind sporangium dehiscence and discover a sigma/anti-sigma system with unique features.
- Takeaki Tezuka
- , Kyota Mitsuyama
- & Yasuo Ohnishi
-
Article
| Open AccessNDP52 mediates an antiviral response to hepatitis B virus infection through Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway
The nuclear dot protein 52 (NDP52) is an autophagy receptor known to trigger autophagy following bacterial infection. Here, Cui et al. show that NDP52 also triggers an anti-viral response following hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. NDP52 forms a tripartite complex with Rab9 and envelope proteins of HBV and targets the virus to Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway.
- Shuzhi Cui
- , Tian Xia
- & Yu Wei
-
Article
| Open AccessIgG and IgM cooperate in coating of intestinal bacteria in IgA deficiency
IgA protects mucosal barriers by coating microorganisms, yet infection related complications are rare in human IgA deficiency. Authors here show that in humans lacking IgA, IgG assists IgM in coating of most bacterial families, thus contributing to gut mucosal defence.
- Carsten Eriksen
- , Janne Marie Moll
- & Susanne Brix
-
Article
| Open AccessMachine learning-based motion tracking reveals an inverse correlation between adhesivity and surface motility of the leptospirosis spirochete
A common approach to study bacterial motility is fluorescent labelling, but this can be hampered by protein expression instability and/or interference with bacterial physiology. Here, Abe et al. describe a machine learning-based method for motion tracking of spirochetes on cultured animal cells, which does not require labelling and might be applied to study motility of other bacterial species.
- Keigo Abe
- , Nobuo Koizumi
- & Shuichi Nakamura
-
Article
| Open AccessZika virus remodelled ER membranes contain proviral factors involved in redox and methylation pathways
This study reveals the recruitment of several cellular enzymes involved in redox and methylation processes, to endoplasmic reticulum membranes remodeled by Zika virus. These proteins regulate stability, folding and modifications of viral proteins or RNA.
- Solène Denolly
- , Alexey Stukalov
- & Ralf Bartenschlager
-
Article
| Open AccessDiversification of division mechanisms in endospore-forming bacteria revealed by analyses of peptidoglycan synthesis in Clostridioides difficile
The enzymes FtsW and FtsI are thought to be essential for the synthesis of septal peptidoglycan (PG) during bacterial cell division. Here, Shrestha et al. show that the pathogen Clostridioides difficile lacks a canonical FtsW/FtsI pair, with its homologs fulfilling sporulation-specific roles including the synthesis of septal PG during sporulation-specific cell division.
- Shailab Shrestha
- , Najwa Taib
- & Aimee Shen
-
Article
| Open AccessRNA is a key component of extracellular DNA networks in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
The roles of extracellular RNAs present in bacterial biofilms are poorly understood. Here, Mugunthan et al. show that specific mRNAs associate with extracellular DNA in the matrix of bacterial biofilms, facilitating the formation of viscoelastic networks.
- Sudarsan Mugunthan
- , Lan Li Wong
- & Thomas Seviour
-
Article
| Open AccessThe Mla system of diderm Firmicute Veillonella parvula reveals an ancestral transenvelope bridge for phospholipid trafficking
E. coli maintains membrane lipid asymmetry by transferring glycerophospholipids from the outer membrane to the inner membrane; this requires outer membrane protein MlaA, periplasmic chaperone MlaC, and inner-membrane complex MlaBDEF. Here, the authors show that in some bacteria that lack MlaA and MlaC, MlaD forms a transenvelope bridge comprising a typical inner-membrane domain and, in addition, an outer-membrane domain.
- Kyrie P. Grasekamp
- , Basile Beaud Benyahia
- & Christophe Beloin
-
Article
| Open AccessDirect comparison of spatial transcriptional heterogeneity across diverse Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities
The bacterium Bacillus subtilis can form various types of surface-associated communities, such as colonies, pellicles and submerged biofilms. Here, Dergham et al. provide a direct comparison of spatial transcriptional heterogeneity across the three types of surface-associated communities, revealing mosaic expression patterns for genes involved in various pathways.
- Yasmine Dergham
- , Dominique Le Coq
- & Romain Briandet
-
Article
| Open AccessMid-cell migration of the chromosomal terminus is coupled to origin segregation in Escherichia coli
In slow-growing Escherichia coli, the chromosomal terminus is initially located at the new pole and must therefore migrate to midcell during replication to reproduce the same pattern in the daughter cells. Here, Sadhir & Murray use high-throughput time-lapse microscopy to quantify this transition, its timing and its relationship to chromosome segregation, identifying an unexplored connection between the origin of replication locus and the terminus.
- Ismath Sadhir
- & Seán M. Murray
-
Article
| Open AccessSARS-CoV-2 hijacks a cell damage response, which induces transcription of a more efficient Spike S-acyltransferase
The fusogenic activity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike depends on its post-translational lipid modification by host S-acyltransferases, predominantly ZDHHC20. Here, Mesquita and Abrami et al. show that SARS-CoV-2 infection and colitis in mice induce a damage response resulting in an altered version of the ZDHHC20 enzyme that is more abundant and significantly more efficient at attaching fatty acids to viral Spike.
- Francisco S. Mesquita
- , Laurence Abrami
- & F. Gisou van der Goot
-
Article
| Open AccessEssential gene complement of Planctopirus limnophila from the bacterial phylum Planctomycetes
Bacteria of the phylum Planctomycetes display unique cell biology features but are relatively understudied. Here, the authors report a genome-wide analysis of essential gene content in a planctomycete, providing insights into the divergent molecular and cell biology of these organisms.
- Elena Rivas-Marin
- , David Moyano-Palazuelo
- & Damien P. Devos
-
Article
| Open AccessStructure and function of the EA1 surface layer of Bacillus anthracis
S-layers form continuous protein lattices on the surface of bacteria. Here, authors use S-layer depolymerizing nanobodies to solve the structure of the EA1 S-layer in the pathogen Bacillus anthracis and show its role as cell wall supportive structure”
- Adrià Sogues
- , Antonella Fioravanti
- & Han Remaut
-
Article
| Open AccessRegulation of symbiotic interactions and primitive lichen differentiation by UMP1 MAP kinase in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii
The mechanisms regulating fungal-algal interactions during the formation of lichen symbioses are not clear. Here, Wang et al. establish conditions conducive to symbiotic interactions and lichen differentiation using a fungus amenable to genetic manipulation, showing the importance of a MAP kinase in lichen development.
- Yanyan Wang
- , Rong Li
- & Jin-Rong Xu
-
Article
| Open AccessHierarchical organization and assembly of the archaeal cell sheath from an amyloid-like protein
Cellular cryoET reveals how an amyloid-like protein of the prototypical archaeon, Methanospirillum hungatei, oligomerizes into a ring containing a giant 2700-strand β sheet, and how rings stack into hoops and into the cylindrical sheath of the cell.
- Hui Wang
- , Jiayan Zhang
- & Z. Hong Zhou
-
Article
| Open AccessLptM promotes oxidative maturation of the lipopolysaccharide translocon by substrate binding mimicry
Here, the authors identify a third component of the outer membrane LPS translocon in Escherichia coli called LptM. Biochemical analysis and structural modelling reveal that LptM binds the LPS translocon by mimicking its native substrate, so stabilising an active conformation of the complex.
- Yiying Yang
- , Haoxiang Chen
- & Raffaele Ieva
-
Article
| Open AccessRab41-mediated ESCRT machinery repairs membrane rupture by a bacterial toxin in xenophagy
Xenophagy targets cytosolic bacteria, but their membrane homeostatic system is not known. Here the authors show that the ESCRT machinery repairs xenophagic membrane damaged by a bacterial toxin, which is regulated by the TOM1L2–Rab41 that recruits VPS4.
- Takashi Nozawa
- , Hirotaka Toh
- & Ichiro Nakagawa
-
Article
| Open AccessMulti-heme cytochrome-mediated extracellular electron transfer by the anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens’
Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea play crucial roles in the methane cycle. Here, Zhang et al. provide experimental evidence supporting that multi-heme cytochromes mediate extracellular electron transfer for the reduction of metals and electrodes in these microorganisms.
- Xueqin Zhang
- , Georgina H. Joyce
- & Shihu Hu
-
Article
| Open AccessThe leaderless communication peptide (LCP) class of quorum-sensing peptides is broadly distributed among Firmicutes
The human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes secretes a short peptide (LCP) that mediates intercellular communication and controls bacterial virulence. Here, the authors show that LCP homologues act as bacterial intercellular signals and regulate gene expression also in other bacteria.
- Shifu Aggarwal
- , Elaine Huang
- & Muthiah Kumaraswami
-
Article
| Open AccessIntracellular Fusobacterium nucleatum infection attenuates antitumor immunity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is an oncogenic bacterium reported to promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here the authors show that the virulence factor of Fn, Fn-Dps upregulates PD-L1 and that Fn promotes cell death in T-cells, hence, limiting the efficacy of immunotherapy in ESCC.
- Yiqiu Li
- , Shan Xing
- & Ge Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessUstilago maydis PR-1-like protein has evolved two distinct domains for dual virulence activities
Plant PR-1 proteins participate in defense responses against pathogens. Here, the authors show that PR-1-like proteins from the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis are important for virulence by detecting plant-derived phenolics and modulating plant PR-1-mediated defenses.
- Yu-Han Lin
- , Meng-Yun Xu
- & Lay-Sun Ma
-
Article
| Open AccessMechanism of outer membrane destabilization by global reduction of protein content
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is an asymmetric bilayer, with phospholipids in the inner leaflet. Here the authors show that a reduction in OM proteins and the subsequent mislocalization of phospholipids weaken the OM and alter growth rate and cell shape, emphasizing the role of OM proteins in OM stiffness and cell shape.
- Irina V. Mikheyeva
- , Jiawei Sun
- & Thomas J. Silhavy
-
Article
| Open AccessBacterial cell-size changes resulting from altering the relative expression of Min proteins
In bacteria such as E. coli, Min proteins ensure proper localization of the septum at the mid-zone of the cell before cell division. Here, the authors study the effects of changes in relative expression of Min proteins on cell size, providing evidence that Min proteins contribute to the regulation of cell size and the timing of septum formation.
- Harsh Vashistha
- , Joanna Jammal-Touma
- & Hanna Salman
-
Article
| Open AccessCoordinated peptidoglycan synthases and hydrolases stabilize the bacterial cell wall
The integrity and maintenance of cell-wall peptidoglycan is essential for growth and cell shape in bacteria. Here, the authors show how the coordinated actions of a synthase, which inserts new peptidoglycan strands, and a hydrolase, which generates openings to allow the insertion, determine the integrity of bacterial cell wall.
- Huan Zhang
- , Srutha Venkatesan
- & Beiyan Nan
-
Article
| Open AccessStructural basis of peptidoglycan synthesis by E. coli RodA-PBP2 complex
Bacterial cell shape is dependent on the formation of the extracellular sugar polymer called peptidoglycan. Here the authors describe RodA-PBP2, the enzymatic core of the elongasome, which is the complex responsible peptidoglycan synthesis, and utilize an integrated approach to investigate the mechanism of peptidoglycan biosynthesis.
- Rie Nygaard
- , Chris L. B. Graham
- & Filippo Mancia
-
Article
| Open AccessCultivation of marine bacteria of the SAR202 clade
Bacteria of the SAR202 clade are ubiquitously distributed in the ocean, but their biology is poorly understood due to the lack of cultivated isolates. Here, Lim et al. report the cultivation of marine SAR202 bacteria and provide insights into the physiology of these enigmatic microorganisms.
- Yeonjung Lim
- , Ji-Hui Seo
- & Jang-Cheon Cho
-
Perspective
| Open AccessExtreme environments offer an unprecedented opportunity to understand microbial eukaryotic ecology, evolution, and genome biology
The ecology and evolution of eukaryotic microbes in extreme environments are poorly understood. In this Perspective, Rappaport and Oliverio summarize data from over 80 studies of protists in extreme environments and identify lineages of particular interest as targets for future research.
- Hannah B. Rappaport
- & Angela M. Oliverio