Articles in 2017

The crystal structure of MlaA, coupled with simulations of its interaction with phospholipids, elucidates how this outer membrane lipoprotein acts as a phospholipid translocation channel to maintain the asymmetric composition of the outer membrane.

Bacillus subtilis cells are able to sense self-produced autoinducers, which gives rise to stronger quorum-sensing-mediated responses, in a process that can influence the generation of persisters during antibiotic treatment.

Comparative genomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry reveal the biosynthetic gene clusters, and vast chemical diversity of natural products that they encode, in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, bacteria that interact with hosts as symbionts and entomopathogens.

Under nutritional limitation, modification of the Lactobacillus plantarum cell wall by d-alanylation of teichoic acids is important for host intestinal peptidase expression and consequently growth of the Drosophila host, providing further insights into host–commensal interactions.

An atomic model for a type 2 secretion system pseudopilus from Klebsiella oxytoca reveals a comprehensive network of inter-subunit contacts while mutational and functional analyses highlight the role of calcium in PulG folding and stability.

Structural illumination of host glycan interaction in the evolution and host adaptation of the Salmonella typhoid toxin.

Fluorescent d-amino acid incorporation reveals host–prey cell wall modification during Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus predation including pore formation and l,d-transpeptidase-mediated prey strengthening.

Thymine starvation generates single-stranded DNA regions and reactive oxygen species, leading to DNA breakage and cell death.

The main targets of Zika virus infection in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells are monocytes, particularly CD14⁺CD16⁺ monocytes, which are expanded in Zika patients and in in vitro-infected samples.

In situ sampling reveals that members of the SAR11 clade show significantly lower retention by mucous filter feeders, and that this is probably due to their reduced hydrophobic cell surface, suggesting that cell surface properties are important factors in predator–prey interactions.

Translating scientific discoveries into real world solutions is a goal shared by researchers, governments, industry and the public alike. While continued support for basic research is critical, improvements in the funding, evaluation and publication of translational work are also needed to fully realize the promise of applied research.

The Streptococcus pyogenes surface M protein is a critical multifunctional virulence factor. Recent work sheds light on a new unexpected function of the M protein in activating the host inflammasome to induce macrophage cell death and promote infection.

The goal of malaria eradication is threatened by drug resistance. Now, two studies characterize Plasmodium falciparum PKG inhibitors and hexahydroquinolines as antimalarial compounds that could block transmission and help mitigate the risk of parasite escape via drug resistance.

Influenza B virus causes substantial illness globally, particularly in children. Treatment options are limited, as the most widely used antiviral drug appears to be less effective than against influenza A. A new antibody targeting the influenza B neuraminidase shows promise in mice as a therapeutic option.

A newly described plasmid, which encodes proteins facilitating its packaging and cell-to-cell transfer via membrane vesicles, challenges the way we think about the delineation of viruses, plasmids and extracellular vesicles.

The study of phages that pose a threat to the cheese industry, which enabled the original demonstration that CRISPR–Cas systems work as adaptive immune systems in bacteria, now leads to the identification of a new anti-CRISPR that inhibits Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes.

An integrative modelling framework is developed to predict the behaviours of synthetic circuits and theirimpacts on host physiology.

Reactive oxygen species, most likely spawned from dietary-induced fatty acid β-oxidation, directly impact Plasmodium survival inside hepatocytes and sigificantly reduce liver infection.

The structure of the extended sheath–tube complex of the type VI secretion system from Vibrio cholerae elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which conformational changes in the sheath enable the inner tube to penetrate target cells.The structure of the extended sheath–tube complex of the type VI secretion system from Vibrio cholerae elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which conformational changes in the sheath enable the inner tube to penetrate target cells.