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Mycobacterium tuberculosis acquires iron by cell-surface sequestration and internalization of human holo-transferrin
Mycobacterium tuberculosis acquires iron from its host by producing iron-binding siderophores and by recruiting host transferrin to the phagosome. Here, Boradia et al. show that the bacterial GAPDH protein binds transferrin and drives the uptake of this host protein into M. tuberculosiscells.
- Vishant Mahendra Boradia
- , Himanshu Malhotra
- & Chaaya Iyengar Raje
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| Open AccessG1-arrested newborn cells are the predominant infectious form of the pathogen Brucella abortus
Certain pathogenic bacteria such as Brucella abortus undergo a temporary non-proliferative stage after infecting host cells. Here, the authors study chromosomal replication and segregation in B. abortusduring infection, showing that the non-proliferative stage consists of G1-arrested newborn cells.
- Michaël Deghelt
- , Caroline Mullier
- & Xavier De Bolle
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| Open AccessFtsZ-independent septal recruitment and function of cell wall remodelling enzymes in chlamydial pathogens
Chlamydiae lack a conventional peptidoglycan cell wall, and yet cell wall remodelling enzymes are largely conserved in these organisms. Frandi et al.identify a chlamydial peptidoglycan endopeptidase, NlpD, and show that it targets the septum of dividing Chlamydiae in a manner dependent on cell wall synthesis.
- Antonio Frandi
- , Nicolas Jacquier
- & Patrick H. Viollier
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Crystal structure of listeriolysin O reveals molecular details of oligomerization and pore formation
The cytolysin, listeriolysin O (LLO), is expressed by Listeria and forms pores in the phagosomal membrane in response to decreased pH. Here, Yildiz et al. solve the crystal structure of LLO, identify residues that serve as the pH sensor, and determine the mechanism of pore formation in host membranes.
- Stefan Köster
- , Katharina van Pee
- & Özkan Yildiz
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Autotransporters but not pAA are critical for rabbit colonization by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4
An outbreak of diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Germany in 2011 was caused by a Shiga toxin-producing enteroaggregative E. coli, which carried the aggregative adherence plasmid pAA. Here, the authors show that autotransporters, but not pAA, are required for intestinal colonization in an infant rabbit model.
- Diana Munera
- , Jennifer M. Ritchie
- & Matthew K. Waldor
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VapC20 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cleaves the Sarcin–Ricin loop of 23S rRNA
Toxin–antitoxin systems have been implicated in the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, the authors study the function of the M. tuberculosistoxin VapC20 and show that it can impair protein translation and inhibit bacterial growth by cleaving the Sarcin–Ricin loop of 23S rRNA
- Kristoffer S. Winther
- , Ditlev E. Brodersen
- & Kenn Gerdes
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Structure of GrlR–GrlA complex that prevents GrlA activation of virulence genes
The locus of enterocyte effacement is a pathogenicity island essential for virulence of some Escherichia colipathogenic serotypes. Here, the authors solve the structure of a regulatory complex that optimizes regulation of this locus during the infection process.
- Abhilash Padavannil
- , Chacko Jobichen
- & J. Sivaraman
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| Open AccessWall teichoic acid structure governs horizontal gene transfer between major bacterial pathogens
Horizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements contributes to bacterial evolution and emergence of new pathogens. Here the authors demonstrate that the highly diverse structure of wall teichoic acid polymers governs horizontal gene transfer among Gram-positive pathogens, even across long phylogenetic distances.
- Volker Winstel
- , Chunguang Liang
- & Guoqing Xia
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Actin-based confinement of calcium responses during Shigella invasion
Shigella triggers an increase in intracellular calcium during invasion of host cells. Here the authors show that increased actin polymerization at the invasion site slows the diffusion of signalling mediators, thus sustaining localized calcium influx at invasion sites.
- Guy Tran Van Nhieu
- , Bing Kai Liu
- & Laurent Combettes
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| Open AccessThe collagen-binding protein of Streptococcus mutans is involved in haemorrhagic stroke
The risk factors associated with both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke are not fully understood. Here a certain strain of the bacteria,Streptococcus mutans, which expresses a collagen-binding protein, is shown to be associated with haemorrhagic stroke in both animal models and human patients.
- Kazuhiko Nakano
- , Kazuya Hokamura
- & Takashi Ooshima
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| Open AccessBacterial Pili exploit integrin machinery to promote immune activation and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration
Group BStreptococcuscauses meningitis in newborn infants but how the bacterium crosses the blood-brain barrier is unknown. Here, the bacterial pili adhesion molecule, PilA, is shown to bind to collagen and promote binding of the bacteria to integrins expressed on the blood-brain endothelium.
- Anirban Banerjee
- , Brandon J. Kim
- & Kelly S. Doran
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| Open AccessRegulation of the co-evolved HrpR and HrpS AAA+ proteins required for Pseudomonas syringae pathogenicity
HrpR and HrpS enhancer-binding proteins ofPseudomonas syringae activate σ54-dependent transcription of the HrpL promoter and are required for type-three secretion pathogenicity. Here, the authors demonstrate that, despite being co-regulated, HrpR and HrpS each have distinct functions for activating σ54.
- Milija Jovanovic
- , Ellen H. James
- & Jörg Schumacher