Bacterial pathogenesis articles from across Nature Portfolio

A study examining bacterial gene expression in human-derived samples identifies a gene encoding a small RNA and describes how it orchestrates the transition between chronic and acute infection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enteric Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection is contained by host inflammatory monocyte-driven pyogranuloma formation to counter bacterial YopH-dependent anti-neutrophil activity.