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c-di-GMP is a ubiquitous second messenger that is used by most bacteria to switch between a planktonic and a biofilm-related lifestyle. Here, Schirmer and Jenal review the most recent structural and functional data on GGDEF-, EAL- and PLZ domain-containing proteins, the key components of the c-di-GMP signalling network.
Diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera are the second most common cause of death among children under 5 years of age globally. In this Review article, Andrew Camilli and colleagues discuss the contributions of host susceptibility,Vibrio choleraevirulence and lytic phage to the dynamic nature of cholera outbreaks.
To repair double-strand breaks in DNA, homologous DNA sequences must find each other. According to Minsky and colleagues, random diffusion of DNA molecules is too slow for timely repair of these breaks, and instead they propose that the packaging of genomes in highly radiation-resistant organisms is crucial for repair of double-strand breaks.
Leptospirosis is a neglected disease that has emerged as a widespread problem in impoverished populations in developing countries and tropical regions. Here, Picardeau and colleagues discuss the progress that has been made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of leptospirosis as a result of the recent availability of complete genome sequences forLeptospiraspp. and the development of genetic tools for the analysis of this zoonotic species.
Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and generally comprise 12 protein components that are organized into ATP-powered, double-membrane-spanning complexes. Here, Fronzes, Christie and Waksman review the structural data of many T4SS components and propose a model for the assembly of a functional type IV secretion apparatus.
Production of biofuels is becoming increasingly important. In this Review, Alper and Stephanopoulos describe the advantages and disadvantages of the use of native strains and engineered model microorganisms for the production of biofuels.
Bacterial cell division is orchestrated by the assembly of FtsZ into the Z ring, which functions as a scaffold for the assembly of the division machinery. Here, David Adams and Jeff Errington review the diverse repertoire of accessory proteins that interact with FtsZ during its assembly to render it both functional for division and responsive to cellular stresses.
Epidemics caused by antibiotic-resistant strains ofStaphylococcus aureus often occur in waves. Here, Henry Chambers and Frank DeLeo review the molecular epidemiology of the epidemic waves of penicillin- and methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus that have occurred since 1940, with a focus on community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
Pseudomonas aeruginosauses a type III secretion system to proliferate within the host. Here, Alan Hauser describes the regulation of the formation of this secretion system, the components that allow the transfer of effectors into the host and the activity of these effectors.
Cryo-electron tomography is beginning to open a window on the bacterial cell, enabling internal structural organization to be imaged at high resolutions. In this Review article, Milne and Subramaniam assess the applicability and limitations of cryo-electron tomography for bacterial cell imaging and highlight the recent advances made in this exciting field.
Bacteria need to adjust as they move between different environments. In this Progress article, Freitag, Port and Miner describe howListeria monocytogenesregulates the transition from saprophyte to human pathogen.
Information about ancient microbial ecosystems can be obtained by using fossil lipids found in ancient sedimentary rocks as biomarkers. In this Opinion article, Jochen Brocks and Jillian Banfield describe how environmental genomic approaches are set to revolutionize the study of these microbial ecosystems and improve our understanding of the evolution of ancient communities of microorganisms.
Adaptor proteins for the Hsp100/Clp and AAA+ proteins play an important part in the regulated degradation of a large number of bacterial processes. Kirstein and colleagues describe how these adaptor proteins interact with their respective proteases to regulate proteolysis.
Anaerobic methane formation and oxidation are important processes in the global carbon cycle that are mediated by syntrophic communities of bacteria and archaea. Here, Fons Stams and Caroline Plugge review the interspecies electron transfer that is the key to growth in syntrophic communities.
Gene duplication and amplification can enable bacteria not only to develop antibiotic resistance, but also to overcome the fitness costs that are often associated with resistance. In this Review, Sandegren and Andersson highlight the mechanisms underlying gene duplication and discuss the role of increasing gene copy number in adaptive bacterial evolution.
The commensal bacteriumStaphylococcus epidermidis is a colonizer of the human skin. Despite lacking recognized virulence factors, S. epidermidiscan cause infection, often on the surface of indwelling medical devices. In this Review, Michael Otto highlights how normally benign bacterial factors take on more virulent roles during host infection with this 'accidental' pathogen.
In this Timeline, Silhavy and colleagues trace the experiments that revealed the structure and composition of the membranes and cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and describe our current knowledge of the synthesis and transport pathways of lipopolysaccharide.
The identification of post-translational histone modifications and chromatin-modifying enzymes in eukaryotic parasites has widened the field of research into epigenetic regulation. Figueiredo, Cross and Janzen compare the role of epigenetics inTrypanosoma bruceiand humans and discuss how studies in such parasites might yield useful information about the evolution of epigenetic processes.
Bacteria from the genusStenotrophomonas are found in a wide range of different environments. Here, Ryan et al. compare the recently sequenced genomes of two different Stenotrophomonasspecies to highlight the possible genetic basis of adaptation to these different niches.
Since 2001, the prevalence and severity ofClostridium difficile infection have increased substantially, and C. difficile is now considered to be one of the most important causes of health care-associated infections. Here, Rupnik, Wilcox and Gerding discuss the recent epidemiological changes in C. difficile infection and our current knowledge of C. difficilevirulence factors.
