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Limitations in online journal archives and citation search tools, coupled with inaccessibility of older journals in libraries, threaten to disconnect us from our microbiological history.
A new report shows that phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α regulates the conversion ofPlasmodiumspp. salivary gland sporozoites into liver-stage sporozoites.
A type III secretion system effector produced byChlamydia trachomatisis targeted to the nucleus of the host cell and functions as a histone methyltransferase.
This month's Genome Watch discusses two related but distinct plant pathogens belonging to the oomycetes, a group of filamentous, fungus-like eukaryotes.
Our monthly round up of infectious diseases news, which this month includes the development of microneedle patches for influenza vaccination, cases of Dengue virus infection in Florida and progress in our understanding of HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies.
Survival of intracellularPlasmodiumparasites requires that the parasites remodel the host cell through the export of parasite proteins. Goldberg and Cowman describe recent insights into the complex export pathway of parasite proteins, which are transferred from the parasite endoplasmic reticulum into the host cell.
Most bacteria live in biofilms, the structure of which depends on the biofilm matrix. This matrix is composed of extracellular polymeric substances, which are compounds that are produced by the bacteria. Here, Flemming and Wingender describe the properties of the matrix and provide an overview of the individual matrix components.
The mechanisms that allow bacteria to swim through liquid environments are well understood, but much less is known about how bacteria migrate across solid surfaces, a process known as swarming. In this Review, Daniel Kearns describes the requirements and phenotypes associated with swarming motility.
To circumvent the blood–brain barrier and invade the central nervous system, many pathogens enter neurons at the nerve terminal and travel the length of the axon to reach the cell body. Here, Kremer and colleagues review the neuronal trafficking pathways that are subverted by neurotropic viruses and toxins.
Secretory antibodies are immune effectors that protect mucosal epithelia from infection by pathogens. Here, Strugnell and Wijburg describe the mechanisms for the production of secretory antibodies and their methods of action and discuss possible explanations for the evolution of the secretory immune system.
In this Opinion article, the authors describe howMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection of host macrophages affects the balance of host lipid mediators and, in doing so, alters the plasma membrane repair and mitochondrial-damage pathways. As a consequence, bacterial virulence influences whether macrophage death occurs by apoptosis or necrosis.
