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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.
A potent mAb shows promise in monkeys either alone or in a combination therapy for either prophylaxis or treatment of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2.
Careful and responsible microbiome management is a critical strategy to counter biodiversity loss, but practical and regulatory hurdles must be addressed to maximize its utility.
Vaccine immunity against SARS-CoV-2 wanes over time and is generally lower in the older population. Recent studies show that booster doses may increase neutralizing antibodies in older adults and protect against emerging variants, including Omicron.
Analysis of the neutralizing antibody activity from sera of vaccinated individuals aged between 70 and 89 reveals a reduction of antibody titres against SARS-CoV-2 wildtype and antigenic escape of various variants of concern that links to specific mutations within the RBD. A booster vaccination helps increasing neutralizing antibody titres against the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants in older adults.
The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a phenotype that has changed fundamentally compared with preceding variants. Substantial antigenic change within the spike protein and a new endocytic entry mechanism underlie the immune evasion characteristics and a coincident decrease in the virulence of this variant.
The Omicron variant evades vaccine-induced neutralization but also fails to form syncytia, shows reduced replication in human lung cells and preferentially uses a TMPRSS2-independent cell entry pathway, which may contribute to enhanced replication in cells of the upper airway. Altered fusion and cell entry characteristics are linked to distinct regions of the Omicron spike protein.
Structural analyses reveal that Geobacter sulfurreducens produces two different cytochrome filaments, comprised of either OmcS or OmcE, that share almost identical haem packing while having no recognizable sequence or structural similarity.
Phylogenomic analyses reveal novel environmental clades of Rickettsiales providing insights into their evolution from free-living to host-associated lifestyle.
Enteric Salmonella not only activates the ILC3–IL-22 axis upon infection to provide a competitive advantage over resident microbiota but also invades ILC3s and induces inflammatory cell death, thus limiting infection.
Studying the ocean microbiome can inform international policies related to ocean governance, tackling climate change, ocean acidification and pollution, and can help promote achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
Cryogenic electron tomography analysis of Chikungunya virus particle assembly reveals 12 intermediate structural stages during virus assembly/budding at the plasma membrane and shows that non-icosahedral nucleocapsid proteins serve as scaffold to induce icosahedral assembly of the glycoprotein spike lattice. Structural analysis also shows that budding-inhibiting antibodies act by interfering with lateral spike interactions.
A broad-range human antibody with neutralizing activity against various coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, targets a unique epitope within the highly conserved S2’ site and the fusion peptide of the spike protein that is exposed during interaction with the host cell. The pan-coronavirus antibody protects mice against infection with SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 following prophylactic and therapeutic treatment.