Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Many bacterial species have evolved specialized secretion systems that deliver effector proteins into host cells in order to promote bacterial survival and replication. To exert their functions in a spatially coordinated manner, effector proteins must be accurately targeted to specific subcellular compartments. Here, Hicks and Galán review how bacterial effectors exploit the host cell machinery involved in processes such as lipidation and ubiquitylation to accurately target the biochemical activities of these effectors within the host cell.
In vitrosingle-molecule technologies have emerged as powerful tools for the study of complex biological phenomena. Here, Robinson and van Oijen summarize the latest insights that fluorescence-based single-molecule studies have provided for DNA replication, transcription and translation in bacterial cells.
RNA viruses have extremely high mutation rates, which are crucial for the ability of these viruses to adapt but can also lead to population extinction. Here, Andino and colleagues describe the mechanisms that RNA viruses use to cope with the high mutational load and discuss the impact of mutational robustness on population dynamics, pathogenicity and antiviral therapies.
Many plants engage in symbiotic associations with microorganisms, in which the interactions are beneficial to both partners. Two of the best studied partnerships are rhizobial and mycorrhizal colonization. Giles Oldroyd highlights the commonalities in the symbiosis signalling pathways involved in these associations and how, despite these commonalities, sufficient specificity is maintained to ensure appropriate responses to each symbiont.
The ability of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) to cause disease is strongly dependent on the strict coordination of viral gene expression with the differentiation state of the infected cell. Here, Johansson and Schwartz summarize the role of splicing and polyadenylation in the regulation of HPV gene expression and discuss the viral and cellular factors that control these processes.
In recent years, nine new human polyomaviruses have been discovered, including Merkel cell polyomavirus, which has been linked to Merkel cell carcinoma, a lethal skin cell cancer. DeCaprio and Garcea compare and contrast these new human viruses and discuss how they might interact with their human host.
The gut microbiota, traditionally studied in the context of disease, has emerged as a key regulator during normal homeostasis. Here, Sommer and Bäckhed discuss how the gut microbiota promotes the development and homeostasis of the immune system and orchestrates several aspects of human physiology, including tissue morphogenesis, metabolism and even behaviour.
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are used by plants, nematodes and arthropods in cellular defence against viruses, but in chordates, sRNAs were replaced with a protein-based system to inhibit viral replication. Here, Benjamin tenOever describes how the lack of interplay between cellular sRNAs and RNA viruses permits the engineering of vectors that can deliver their own sRNAs or are controlled by the sRNAs present in the host.
In addition to developing vaccines and drugs that target vector-borne diseases, historically the use of insecticides has been the main approach for targeting the vector itself. However, as McGraw and O'Neill describe in this Review, there has been substantial recent progress in developing alternative genetic and biological vector-control strategies.
Despite 60 years of investigation, our understanding of the mechanisms by which phages eject their genomes into target bacterial cells remains incomplete. Here, Molineux and Panja describe the structure of DNA inside the phage head and discuss the current models for DNA ejection bothin vitro and in vivo.
Bacillus subtilishas emerged as an important model organism for the study of biofilms. In this Review, Kolter, Losick and colleagues discuss the regulation ofB. subtilisbiofilm assembly and highlight two emerging areas in the field: biofilm formation on natural substrates and biofilm disassembly.
The discovery of abundant microbial life in the deep subsurface, where energy fluxes can be orders of magnitude lower than in laboratory cultures, challenges many of our assumptions about the requirements to sustain life. Here, Tori Hoehler and Bo Barker Jørgensen review our understanding of life in these extremely low-energy environments.
The reversible oxidation of H2 into protons and electrons is mediated by metalloenzymes known as hydrogenases. Here, Fritsch, Lenz and Friedrich discuss recent progress in our understanding of the structure, function and biosynthesis of a subtype of [NiFe]-hydrogenases mainly found in H2-oxidizing bacteria that can sustain H2 conversion in the presence of ambient O2 levels, a process that has been defined as O2-tolerant H2cycling.
Here, Suthar, Diamond and Gale review recent insights into West Nile virus pathogenesis and the host immune responses that this virus activates. Given the continuing spread of the virus in the Western hemisphere, a better understanding of these host–virus interactions is crucial and should facilitate the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics.
The rise of antibiotic resistance, together with collateral damage to the human microbiota as a result of antibiotic use, means that new antimicrobials need to be developed. Here, Cotter, Ross and Hill discuss the potential of bacteriocins, which are active against a range of bacteria, have low toxicity towards the host, are easily modifiable and can even be producedin situ.
The endoribonuclease RNase E is widespread in bacteria and is crucial for the control of RNA metabolism in the cell. In this Review, George Mackie discusses the role of RNase E in stable RNA processing and mRNA decay, and proposes a new model to reconcile the dynamics of RNA metabolism with the cellular localization of this enzyme.
Sporulation inBacillus subtilisresults in the formation of an endospore surrounded by a multilayered protective structure, known as the coat. In this Review, Patrick Eichenberger and colleagues describe recent studies that have illuminated the architecture of the coat and the dynamics of coat assembly.
Fungi produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites that have a range of functions and great pharmacological potential. In this Review, Axel Brakhage describes the regulatory pathways governing the production of these secondary metabolites and discusses how this knowledge provides a new avenue for drug discovery.
Compared with our understanding of the microbial ecology of the rhizosphere (the below-ground parts of plants), our understanding of the microbial ecology of the phyllosphere (the aerial parts of plants) has lagged behind, but this has begun to change in recent years. Here, Julia Vorholt reviews the latest research into the composition of microbial phyllosphere communities, the factors that drive this composition and the adaptation of these communities to the plant environment.
Although it may never be possible for a single animal model to recapitulate all of the features of HIV-1 infection of humans, there have been great advances in the development of small-animal and non-human primate models, as well as in the development of recombinant challenge viruses. Here, the authors review the advantages and disadvantages of the different animal models of HIV/AIDS with respect to their use in the preclinical development of vaccines and antiretroviral therapies.
