Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessNatural reversion promotes LPS elongation in an attenuated Coxiella burnetii strain
In vitro propagation of the pathogenic bacterium Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, leads to attenuated virulence and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) truncation. Here, Long et al. show that a strain considered to be avirulent (NMII) can be recovered from infected animals, and these isolates display increased virulence and an elongated LPS due to reversion of a 3-bp mutation in a gene.
- Carrie M. Long
- , Paul A. Beare
- & Robert A. Heinzen
-
Article
| Open AccessLOX-1 acts as an N6-methyladenosine-regulated receptor for Helicobacter pylori by binding to the bacterial catalase
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of mRNA regulates gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, Zeng et al. show that m6A modification of mRNAs contributes to protection against the pathogen Helicobacter pylori by downregulating a host protein that acts as receptor for the pathogen.
- Judeng Zeng
- , Chuan Xie
- & William K. K. Wu
-
Article
| Open AccessThe virulence regulator VirB from Shigella flexneri uses a CTP-dependent switch mechanism to activate gene expression
Protein VirB regulates the expression of virulence genes in the pathogen Shigella flexneri by binding to DNA sequences far upstream of their promoters. Here, Jakob et al. show that VirB acts as a CTP-dependent molecular switch that uses a loading-and-sliding mechanism to control transcription of its target genes.
- Sara Jakob
- , Wieland Steinchen
- & Martin Thanbichler
-
Article
| Open AccessFunctional divergence of a bacterial enzyme promotes healthy or acneic skin
Cutibacterium acnes phylotypes can be catalogued based on their association with acneic or healthy skin. Here, Hajam et al show that the functional divergence of a hyaluronidase enzyme expressed by the phylotypes is a major determinant of acne severity.
- Irshad A. Hajam
- , Madhusudhanarao Katiki
- & George Y. Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessEnterohaemorrhagic E. coli utilizes host- and microbiota-derived L-malate as a signaling molecule for intestinal colonization
Here, Liu et al show that enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli utilizes host- and microbiota-derived L-malate as an essential nutrient and signalling molecule to promote its growth and colonization in the large intestine.
- Bin Liu
- , Lingyan Jiang
- & Bin Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessThe leaderless communication peptide (LCP) class of quorum-sensing peptides is broadly distributed among Firmicutes
The human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes secretes a short peptide (LCP) that mediates intercellular communication and controls bacterial virulence. Here, the authors show that LCP homologues act as bacterial intercellular signals and regulate gene expression also in other bacteria.
- Shifu Aggarwal
- , Elaine Huang
- & Muthiah Kumaraswami
-
Article
| Open AccessAssembly mechanism of a Tad secretion system secretin-pilotin complex
The bacterial Tight adherence (Tad) secretion system assembles surface pili that drive cell adherence and biofilm formation. Here, authors show the mechanism of assembly for the outer membrane secretin RcpA and how it recruits its pilotin TadD.
- Matteo Tassinari
- , Marta Rudzite
- & Harry H. Low
-
Article
| Open AccessAcquisition, co-option, and duplication of the rtx toxin system and the emergence of virulence in Kingella
The bacterial genus Kingella includes pathogenic species that secrete a toxin called RtxA, which is absent in commensal species. Here, Morreale et al. identify key steps in the evolutionary transition from commensal to pathogen, including horizontal gene transfer of the toxin-encoding genes, co-option of an existing secretion system, and gene duplication.
- Daniel P. Morreale
- , Eric A. Porsch
- & Paul J. Planet
-
Article
| Open AccessNOD1 mediates interleukin-18 processing in epithelial cells responding to Helicobacter pylori infection in mice
Maturation of interleukin-18 (IL-18) is normally mediated by activated inflammasomes in innate immune cells as an antipathogen mechanism. Here the authors show that IL-18 maturation occurs in gut epithelial cells upon encounter with Helicobacter pylorivia a noncanonical NOD1/caspase-1 pathway to maintain epithelial homoeostasis.
- L. S. Tran
- , L. Ying
- & R. L. Ferrero
-
Article
| Open AccessEpistatic interactions between the high pathogenicity island and other iron uptake systems shape Escherichia coli extra-intestinal virulence
The virulence of extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli is associated with multiple different genes in different lineages. Here, Royer et al. show that the emergence of virulence is associated with acquisition of the siderophore-encoding high-pathogenicity island (HPI), and full virulence is associated with the additional presence of the aer or sit operons.
- Guilhem Royer
- , Olivier Clermont
- & Erick Denamur
-
Article
| Open AccessSelenomonas sputigena acts as a pathobiont mediating spatial structure and biofilm virulence in early childhood caries
Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) has been implicated as a major pathogen in childhood caries. Here, the authors show that Selenomonas sputigena, a flagellated anaerobe, interacts with S. mutans in the supragingival biofilm, builds a honeycomb-like multicellular-superstructure that encapsulates it, and promotes the development of childhood dental caries.
- Hunyong Cho
- , Zhi Ren
- & Hyun Koo
-
Article
| Open AccessA link between STK signalling and capsular polysaccharide synthesis in Streptococcus suis
Serine/threonine kinases (STKs) regulate the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide in bacteria through unclear mechanisms. Here, Tang et al. identify a protein that is phosphorylated by an STK and modulates the activity of a phosphoregulatory system in Streptococcus suis, thus linking STKs to capsular polysaccharide synthesis.
- Jinsheng Tang
- , Mengru Guo
- & Hongjie Fan
-
Article
| Open AccessHuman CEACAM1 is targeted by a Streptococcus pyogenes adhesin implicated in puerperal sepsis pathogenesis
Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes after childbirth can have life threatening consequences. Here, Catton et al. show that the epidemiologically associated bacterial R28 protein targets the human CEACAM1 receptor to facilitate the pathogenesis of bacterial sepsis.
- Erin A. Catton
- , Daniel A. Bonsor
- & Alex J. McCarthy
-
Article
| Open AccessVibrio cholerae biofilms use modular adhesins with glycan-targeting and nonspecific surface binding domains for colonization
Bacteria often express multiple adhesive proteins (adhesins) for biofilm formation, but it is often unclear whether adhesins have specialized or redundant roles. Here, the authors show that Vibrio cholerae uses two adhesins with overlapping but distinct functions to achieve robust adhesion to diverse surfaces.
- Xin Huang
- , Thomas Nero
- & Jing Yan
-
Article
| Open AccessMicroscopy-based phenotypic profiling of infection by Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates reveals intracellular lifestyle as a prevalent feature
Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly recognized as a facultative intracellular pathogen, but it is unclear whether the intracellular lifestyle is a general feature or is restricted to some isolates. Here, Rodrigues Lopes et al. profile the interaction of 191 clinical isolates with four host cell types over time, showing that almost all isolates are internalized and that a large fraction replicate and persist within host cells.
- Ines Rodrigues Lopes
- , Laura Maria Alcantara
- & Ana Eulalio
-
Article
| Open AccessIdentification of TFPI as a receptor reveals recombination-driven receptor switching in Clostridioides difficile toxin B variants
Toxin B (TcdB) is a major exotoxin responsible for diseases associated with C. difficile infection. Here, Tian et al. show that several TcdB subtypes do not recognize the established FZD receptors, and identify a different host protein (TFPI) as a receptor for subtypes TcdB4 and TcdB10.
- Songhai Tian
- , Xiaozhe Xiong
- & Min Dong
-
Article
| Open AccessAutoinducer-2 and bile salts induce c-di-GMP synthesis to repress the T3SS via a T3SS chaperone
Cyclic-di-GMP transduces extracellular stimuli into intracellular responses to modulate important biological processes. Here, the authors show that AI-2 and bile salts induce cyclic-di-GMP synthesis via YeaJ and YedQ, respectively, to repress the T3SS via a cyclic-di-GMP-responsive T3SS chaperone.
- Shuyu Li
- , Hengxi Sun
- & Lei Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessHelicobacter pylori shows tropism to gastric differentiated pit cells dependent on urea chemotaxis
The carcinogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori infects gastric cells. Here, the authors show that H. pylori preferentially infects differentiated cells in the pit region of gastric units, and this relies on bacterial chemotaxis towards host cell-released urea, which scales with host cell size.
- Carmen Aguilar
- , Mindaugas Pauzuolis
- & Sina Bartfeld
-
Article
| Open AccessExtracellular fibrinogen-binding protein released by intracellular Staphylococcus aureus suppresses host immunity by targeting TRAF3
Staphylococcus aureus secrete numerous effectors to evade or inhibit the host immune response, yet the mechanism underlying the effectors ability to manipulate the signalling pathways of macrophages remain unclear. Authors utilise in vitro and in vivo models to explore the role of extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb) in immune response modulation and pathogenicity.
- Xiaokai Zhang
- , Tingrong Xiong
- & Quanming Zou
-
Article
| Open AccessMARTX toxin of Vibrio vulnificus induces RBC phosphatidylserine exposure that can contribute to thrombosis
The pathophysiological mechanism of venous thrombosis associated with Vibrio vulnificus infection remains largely unknown. In this work, the authors investigate this association, focusing on effects of the pore-forming MARTX toxin of V. vulnificus on red blood cells, and the utilisation of a rat venous thrombosis model.
- Han Young Chung
- , Yiying Bian
- & Sang Ho Choi
-
Article
| Open AccessMycobacterial resistance to zinc poisoning requires assembly of P-ATPase-containing membrane metal efflux platforms
The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires a metal exporter, CtpC, for resistance to zinc poisoning. Here, the authors show that zinc resistance also depends on a chaperone-like protein that binds zinc ions, forms high-molecular-weight complexes with CtpC in the cytoplasmic membrane, and is required for CtpC function.
- Yves-Marie Boudehen
- , Marion Faucher
- & Olivier Neyrolles
-
Article
| Open AccessPaeniclostridium sordellii hemorrhagic toxin targets TMPRSS2 to induce colonic epithelial lesions
Paeniclostridium sordellii is an opportunistic pathogen that can occur and be fatal in women undergoing abortion or childbirth. The pathogenesis of a hemorrhagic toxin, TcsH, produced by this bacteria, remains unknown. Here, authors carry out genome-wide screens to identify pathologically relevant host factors of TcsH.
- Xingxing Li
- , Liuqing He
- & Liang Tao
-
Article
| Open AccessA patatin-like phospholipase mediates Rickettsia parkeri escape from host membranes
Pathogenic Rickettsia species are arthropod-borne, obligate intracellular bacteria that invade host cells, replicate in the cell cytosol, and spread from cell to cell. Here, Borgo et al. identify a Rickettsia phospholipase enzyme that is important for infection by helping the bacteria escape from host cell vacuoles into the host cytosol, preventing targeting by autophagy, and promoting bacterial motility and spread to other cells.
- Gina M. Borgo
- , Thomas P. Burke
- & Matthew D. Welch
-
Article
| Open AccessAirway Prevotella promote TLR2-dependent neutrophil activation and rapid clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the lung
How the airway microbiome protects against bacterial pneumonia remains unclear. Here, the authors identify airway bacterial species that activate the immune system to facilitate rapid clearance of the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae from the lung.
- Kadi J. Horn
- , Melissa A. Schopper
- & Sarah E. Clark
-
Article
| Open AccessDirect interaction of a chaperone-bound type III secretion substrate with the export gate
Recruitment of substrates to virulent bacterial type III secretion systems remains enigmatic. Here, a crystal structure reveals two binding sites between a secretion substrate in complex with its chaperone and the cytosolic domain of the export gate.
- Dominic Gilzer
- , Madeleine Schreiner
- & Hartmut H. Niemann
-
Article
| Open AccessFibronectin binding protein B binds to loricrin and promotes corneocyte adhesion by Staphylococcus aureus
The first step during skin colonization by is its adhesion to corneocytes. Da Costa et al. show that the cell wall-anchored fibronectin binding protein B (FnBPB) of S. aureus binds to loricrin. Applying single cell force spectroscopy, they demonstrate that this interaction promotes adhesion of S. aureus to human corneocytes.
- Thaina M. da Costa
- , Albertus Viljoen
- & Joan A. Geoghegan
-
Article
| Open AccessBMP feed-forward loop promotes terminal differentiation in gastric glands and is interrupted by H. pylori-driven inflammation
Helicobacter pylori causes gastric inflammation, gland hyperplasia and is linked to gastric cancer. Here the authors identify a BMP feedback loop between the stomach epithelium and surrounding stroma that controls gland homeostasis and demonstrate its interruption upon infection with H. pylori.
- Marta Kapalczynska
- , Manqiang Lin
- & Michael Sigal
-
Article
| Open AccessBacterial filamentation as a mechanism for cell-to-cell spread within an animal host
Some intracellular pathogens can directly invade neighboring host cells in cell culture, but it is unclear how this happens in vivo. Here, Tran et al. describe an intracellular bacterium that forms filaments to spread between intestinal epithelial cells in its host nematode, in a process regulated by a conserved nutrient-sensing pathway.
- Tuan D. Tran
- , Munira Aman Ali
- & Robert J. Luallen
-
Article
| Open AccessCitrus Huanglongbing is a pathogen-triggered immune disease that can be mitigated with antioxidants and gibberellin
Huanglongbing is a devastating disease of citrus, caused by phloem-colonizing bacteria. Here, the authors present evidence that the disease is the result of an exacerbated immune response to the infection, including production of reactive oxygen species, and that antioxidants and a growth-promoting hormone can mitigate disease symptoms.
- Wenxiu Ma
- , Zhiqian Pang
- & Nian Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessGut microbiota promotes cholesterol gallstone formation by modulating bile acid composition and biliary cholesterol secretion
Metabolic conditions associated with alterations of the gut microbiome, such as obesity and diabetes, predispose to gallstone disease. Here the authors demonstrate that the gut microbiome, in particular the genus Desulfovibrionale, contribute to gallstone formation in mice.
- Hai Hu
- , Wentao Shao
- & Aihua Gu
-
Article
| Open AccessSiderophore-mediated zinc acquisition enhances enterobacterial colonization of the inflamed gut
Zinc is an essential cofactor for bacterial metabolism. Here, the authors show that the probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 utilizes the siderophore yersiniabactin as a zincophore, allowing the microbe to grow in zinc-limited media and to thrive in the inflamed gut.
- Judith Behnsen
- , Hui Zhi
- & Manuela Raffatellu
-
Article
| Open AccessListeria monocytogenes faecal carriage is common and depends on the gut microbiota
Here, the authors show that Listeria monocytogenes faecal carriage is common in healthy asymptomatic individuals and, together with mouse studies, they associate carriage with a specific microbiome signature.
- Lukas Hafner
- , Maxime Pichon
- & Marc Lecuit
-
Article
| Open AccessProcessive dynamics of the usher assembly platform during uropathogenic Escherichia coli P pilus biogenesis
Escherichia coli form pili structures in order to initiate infection of the urinary tract. Here, Thanassi et al., have solved the structures of pili assembly intermediates and provided insights into their biogenesis and assembly.
- Minge Du
- , Zuanning Yuan
- & David G. Thanassi
-
Article
| Open AccessSalmonella effector SopD promotes plasma membrane scission by inhibiting Rab10
Salmonella secretes the effector protein SopD into the host cell cytoplasm, leading to scission of the plasma membrane through unclear mechanisms. Here, Boddy et al. show that SopD binds to and inhibits the small GTPase Rab10, thus promoting removal of Rab10 and recruitment of dynamin-2 to drive plasma membrane scission.
- Kirsten C. Boddy
- , Hongxian Zhu
- & John H. Brumell
-
Article
| Open AccessPseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 produces R-bodies, extendable protein polymers with roles in host colonization and virulence
R-bodies are long, extendable protein polymers formed in the cytoplasm of some bacteria. Here, Wang et al. show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces R-bodies during colonization of plant and nematode hosts, and R-bodies induce ribosome cleavage and translational inhibition in nematodes.
- Bryan Wang
- , Yu-Cheng Lin
- & Lars E. P. Dietrich
-
Article
| Open AccessThe bacterial toxin ExoU requires a host trafficking chaperone for transportation and to induce necrosis
Phospholipase ExoU from Pseudomonas aeruginosa acts on plasma membrane lipids in infected cells, causing membrane rupture and host cell necrosis. Here, Deruelle et al. show that once injected into the host cytoplasm, ExoU requires a host chaperone found on secretory vesicles to reach the plasma membrane and exerts its phospholipase activity.
- Vincent Deruelle
- , Stéphanie Bouillot
- & Philippe Huber
-
Article
| Open AccessReprogramming of microRNA expression via E2F1 downregulation promotes Salmonella infection both in infected and bystander cells
Cells infected with pathogens can release signals that instruct neighbouring cells to mount an immune response or that reduce these cells’ susceptibility to infection. Here, Aguilar et al. show the opposite effect: cells infected with Salmonella Typhimurium secrete host factors that facilitate the infection of bystander cells by activating their ER-stress response.
- Carmen Aguilar
- , Susana Costa
- & Ana Eulalio
-
Article
| Open AccessA bacterial small RNA regulates the adaptation of Helicobacter pylori to the host environment
Long-term infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori can cause gastric cancer. Here, Kinoshita-Daitoku et al. show that a small non-coding RNA of H. pylori regulates bacterial adaptation to the stomach environment and bacterial oncoprotein production.
- Ryo Kinoshita-Daitoku
- , Kotaro Kiga
- & Hitomi Mimuro
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-throughput fitness screening and transcriptomics identify a role for a type IV secretion system in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease-associated Escherichia coli
Adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) are frequently isolated from Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Here, Elhenawy et al. conduct a genome-wide screen to identify AIEC genes required for in vivo intestinal colonization, and show that a type IV secretion system contributes to AIEC persistence in the gut and is enriched in CD patients’ isolates.
- Wael Elhenawy
- , Sarah Hordienko
- & Brian K. Coombes
-
Article
| Open AccessCoagulase-negative staphylococci release a purine analog that inhibits Staphylococcus aureus virulence
Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus colonize similar niches in mammals. Here, Chin et al. show that a coagulase-negative staphylococcus secretes 6-thioguanine, a purine analog that suppresses S. aureus growth and virulence by inhibiting de novo purine biosynthesis and toxin production.
- Denny Chin
- , Mariya I. Goncheva
- & David E. Heinrichs
-
Article
| Open AccessDynamic relocalization of cytosolic type III secretion system components prevents premature protein secretion at low external pH
Many bacterial pathogens use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cells. Here, Wimmi et al. show that the external pH regulates the assembly of T3SS cytosolic components in intestinal pathogens, thus preventing T3SS activity in the stomach and allowing T3SS reactivation in the intestine.
- Stephan Wimmi
- , Alexander Balinovic
- & Andreas Diepold
-
Article
| Open AccessBiofilm formation in the lung contributes to virulence and drug tolerance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis forms biofilms in vitro, but it is unclear whether biofilms are also formed during infection in vivo. Here, Chakraborty et al. demonstrate the formation of biofilms in animal models of infection and in patients with tuberculosis, and that biofilm formation can contribute to drug tolerance.
- Poushali Chakraborty
- , Sapna Bajeli
- & Ashwani Kumar
-
Article
| Open AccessEntry of spores into intestinal epithelial cells contributes to recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection
Spores produced by Clostridioides difficile during infection are important for the recurrence of the disease. Here, Castro-Córdova et al. show that the spores gain entry into the intestinal mucosa via pathways dependent on host fibronectin and vitronectin, and spore entry inhibition leads to reduced recurrence of infection in a mouse model.
- Pablo Castro-Córdova
- , Paola Mora-Uribe
- & Daniel Paredes-Sabja
-
Article
| Open AccessGenome evolution and the emergence of pathogenicity in avian Escherichia coli
It is unclear how gut-dwelling E. coli bacteria often emerge to cause systemic infection in chickens. Here, Mageiros et al. use population genomics and pangenome-wide association studies to identify genetic elements associated with pathogenicity in avian E. coli.
- Leonardos Mageiros
- , Guillaume Méric
- & Samuel K. Sheppard
-
Article
| Open AccessRegulatory protein HilD stimulates Salmonella Typhimurium invasiveness by promoting smooth swimming via the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein McpC
Protein HilD of Salmonella Typhimurium coordinates motility and host cell invasion by upregulating flagellar genes and a secretion system. Here, Cooper et al. show that HilD also modulates swimming behaviour by upregulating a subunit of the chemotactic receptor array, and this is important for invasion of epithelial cells.
- Kendal G. Cooper
- , Audrey Chong
- & Olivia Steele-Mortimer
-
Article
| Open AccessHost CDK-1 and formin mediate microvillar effacement induced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) induces formation of attaching and effacing lesions in the intestine. Here, Huang et al. use human intestinal cells and a C. elegans model of infection to show that the process is mediated by a host signaling pathway involving cyclin-dependent kinase CDK1 and formin CYK1.
- Cheng-Rung Huang
- , Cheng-Ju Kuo
- & Chang-Shi Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessS-nitrosylation-mediated activation of a histidine kinase represses the type 3 secretion system and promotes virulence of an enteric pathogen
Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes seafood-borne diarrheal diseases. Here, the authors show that the pathogen uses a histidine kinase to sense host-derived nitrite and downregulate a proinflammatory type 3 secretion system, thus enhancing intestinal colonization and virulence.
- Dan Gu
- , Yibei Zhang
- & Xiaohui Zhou
-
Article
| Open AccessA compendium of DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors in Pseudomonas syringae
The authors set out to identify binding motifs for all 301 transcription factors of a plant pathogenic bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae, using HT-SELEX. They successfully identify binding motifs for 100 transcription factors, infer their binding sites on the genome, and validate the predicted interactions and functions.
- Ligang Fan
- , Tingting Wang
- & Xin Deng
-
Article
| Open AccessAbiraterone acetate preferentially enriches for the gut commensal Akkermansia muciniphila in castrate-resistant prostate cancer patients
Abiraterone acetate (AA) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Here, the authors show that, in prostate cancer patients, orally administered AA remodels the gut microbiome and promotes the enrichment of the commensal bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila at the expense of androgen-utilizing Corynebacterium species.
- Brendan A. Daisley
- , Ryan M. Chanyi
- & Jeremy P. Burton