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Retrons are reverse transcriptase-based bacterial genetic elements with a role in antiphage defence. Here the authors investigate the structure and function of retron Ec86, providing insight into retron-based genome editing systems.
Characterization of a biosynthetic pathway for the sulfonation of steroidal metabolites, such as cholesterol, by gut bacteria may have implications for immune cell trafficking and inflammatory bowel disease.
The conserved nucleotide diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) is induced under various stresses, including heat. In a non-biased screen, we identified a critical role of Ap4A in inhibiting a central step in purine metabolism and heat resistance. We clarify the molecular mechanism of Ap4A action on the inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) enzyme, showing Ap4A as a bona fide nucleotide second messenger.
Choanoflagellates are the closest living unicellular relatives of animals and are important bacterivorous predators in the ocean. Here the authors show that the microbiome of this predator includes an obligate, host resource-dependent bacterial associate.
A plant peptide binds to haem, thereby reducing the availability of haem and inducing an iron-starvation response in rhizobia that results in iron import for nitrogenase activity.
Rapid experimental evolution and targeted genetic engineering of Escherichia coli in a stinkbug host reveals that a single mutation can produce a host-beneficial symbiosis.
Experimental evolution of Escherichia coli in an insect host reveals that a single mutation in the carbon catabolite repression pathway can transform a non-symbiotic microbial species into an insect mutualist.
Analysis of gut microbiota of mothers and its neonates—as part of the BARNARDS study—reveals associations between β-lactamase gene carriage and neonatal sepsis risk in low-income settings.
Identification and analysis of mutator strains in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans show that natural loss of RNA interference triggers massive accumulation of Cnl1 retroelements at subtelomeric regions.
Methods for monitoring wastewater for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and emerging variants have risen to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine monitoring of wastewater should be deployed around the world to mitigate the spread of pathogens, both old and new.
Phylogeny estimation of newly discovered aquatic copiotrophic Rickettsiales indicates evolution of host dependency from extracellular species and the origin of mitochondria from an unknown proteobacterial lineage.
Chikungunya virion assembly is elucidated using cryo-electron tomography to reveal how antibodies protect hosts by blocking virion release from virus-infected cells.
RNA-interference loss can cause hypermutation in clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, impacting antifungal drug resistance.
Multiple pathogenic viruses are identified in a large set of pangolins, which shows that trading pangolins for scales or flesh may increase the risk of emergence of viral infections.
Women are more affected by sexually transmitted infections than men. This Review examines the impact of non-HIV STIs on women’s health, and discusses recent advances and current challenges in the treatment and prevention of STIs.
Metagenomic analysis of the gut virome along the mammalian gastrointestinal tract of two mammalian species reveals the biogeography of bacteriophage, including region- and species-specific variations in virome composition.