Review Articles

The fungal kingdom contains many important plant pathogens, and some species show remarkable variation in genome size and architecture. In this Review, Möller and Stukenbrock summarize key examples from fungal plant pathogen genomics and discuss evolutionary processes in pathogenic fungi in the context of molecular evolution, population genetics and agriculture.

The intracellular pathogensLegionella pneumophila and Coxiella burnetiiuse the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to translocate effectors into host cells. Qiu and Luo explore the biochemical and cell biological functions of these effectors and their roles in our understanding of bacterial virulence.

The release of membrane-bound vesicles from cells is being increasingly recognized as a mechanism of intercellular communication. In this Review, Raab-Traub and Dittmer discuss the roles that extracellular vesicles have during virus infection.

Species in the genusPseudomonas thrive in diverse ecological niches and are infected with equally diverse bacteriophages. In this Review, De Smet et al. discuss the interactions between Pseudomonasspp. and their phages and also address the biotechnological applications that may be derived from phage–bacteria interactions.

In this Review, Pedra and colleagues describe the advances and challenges in the genetic engineering of obligate intracellular bacteria, and highlight examples of how the use of genetically manipulated pathogens has improved our understanding of microbial pathogenesis and host–pathogen interactions.

The transmission of commensal intestinal bacteria between humans could promote health by establishing, maintaining and replenishing microbial diversity in the microbiota of an individual. In this Review, Browne and colleagues discuss the mechanisms and factors that influence host-to-host transmission of the intestinal microbiota.

Plasmodium falciparumexports several variant antigens to the surface of erythrocytes. In this Review, Wahlgren, Goel and Akhouri discuss the three best characterized of these protein families, PfEMP1, RIFIN and STEVOR, and highlight their role in the development of severe malaria.

Many bacteria can infect and persist inside their hosts for long periods of time. In this Review, Fisher, Gollan and Helaine discuss recent developments in our understanding of bacterial persisters and their potential implications for the treatment of persistent infections.

The microbiota influences the development of cancer and the effect of cancer therapies. In this Review, the authors summarize the interactions between the microbiota, the immune system and tumours and how manipulation of the microbiota can be used therapeutically.

Archaea are highly diverse microorganisms that inhabit various environments. This evolutionary flexibility and adaptability has been supported by abundant horizontal gene transfer. In this Review, Albers and colleagues discuss the mechanisms and consequences of archaeal DNA transfer.

Pili are crucial virulence factors in many Gram-negative pathogens; these surface structures enable bacteria to interact with, and attach to structures in, their environment and can also facilitate horizontal gene transfer. In this Review, Waksmanet al. examine recent advances in our structural understanding of various pilus systems in Gram-negative bacteria and discuss their functional implications.

Biotrophic fungal plant pathogens secrete protein effectors that support colonization of the host. Here, Kahmann and colleagues discuss new insights into the effector repertoire of smut fungi, the molecular mechanisms whereby effectors ofUstilago maydischange plant cell processes, how the respective genes are regulated and how effectors evolve.

The human gut is host to a dense microbial community that includes a large bacteriophage population. This Review summarizes bacteria and phage dynamics in health and disease, and considers how phages may be harnessed as novel therapeutics to improve disease outcomes.

In this Review, Spaan, van Strijp and Torres discuss the implications of the identification of the cellular receptors for theStaphylococcus aureusbi-component leukocidins, the mechanisms of action of the leukocidins, their diverse roles during pathogenesis and their potential as targets for therapeutic interventions.

In this Review, Puschnik and colleagues discuss the technical aspects of using CRISPR–Cas technology in genome-scale knockout screens to study virus–host interactions, and they compare these screens with alternative genetic screening technologies.

Oxidative damage can have a devastating effect on the structure and activity of proteins, leading to cell death. This Review discusses how bacteria repair oxidized proteins and highlights the importance of these repair systems in physiology and virulence.

Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are protein transport nanomachines that resemble molecular syringes and are found in numerous Gram-negative bacterial species. This Review summarizes our current understanding of the structure and function of these important protein secretion systems, incorporating new advances from cryo-electron microscopy and integrative imaging studies.

Antibiotic resistance is a global problem that threatens individual and societal well-being. In this Review, Crofts, Gasparrini and Dantas summarize how research has changed from the discovery of resistant bacteria to community-level resistome studies, and they propose future therapeutic and surveillance approaches.

Coral reefs are complex ecosystems that are populated by diverse microorganisms. In this Review, Vega Thurberet al. summarize the diversity of reef viruses that infect corals and their associated microbiota, and highlight their roles in coral disease and reef decline.

Circadian rhythms enable cells to anticipate cyclic changes in their environment. In this Review, Johnsonet al. explore timekeeping systems that range from prototypical circadian clocks to hourglass timers and their role in different bacteria, including cyanobacteria and members of the microbiota.