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The microbiome of New World vultures
Vultures are scavengers with a high tolerance to bacterial toxins in decaying meat. Here, Roggenbuck et al.show that the vulture’s gut microbiome displays unique features and is dominated by Clostridia and Fusobacteria, two bacterial groups commonly associated with infectious disease in other animals.
- Michael Roggenbuck
- , Ida Bærholm Schnell
- & Lars H Hansen
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| Open AccessPyrazoleamide compounds are potent antimalarials that target Na+ homeostasis in intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum
Novel antimalarial drugs are urgently needed to combat parasite drug resistance. Here, Vaidya et al. describe a new chemical class of potent antimalarial compounds that act by disrupting the parasite's sodium homeostasis.
- Akhil B. Vaidya
- , Joanne M. Morrisey
- & Lawrence W. Bergman
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Retinoid X receptor α attenuates host antiviral response by suppressing type I interferon
The role of retinoic X receptor α (RXRα) in the antiviral immune response is not well understood. Here the authors show that ligand activation of RXRα inhibits production of type 1 interferon and interferon-stimulated genes by preventing nuclear translocation of ß-Catenin.
- Feng Ma
- , Su-Yang Liu
- & Genhong Cheng
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Reciprocal functions of Cryptococcus neoformans copper homeostasis machinery during pulmonary infection and meningoencephalitis
The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans can cause lethal meningoencephalitis in humans after initiating infection in the lung. Here, the authors describe the roles played by two C. neoformanscopper transporters in pathogen’s survival during lung and brain infection.
- Tian-Shu Sun
- , Xiao Ju
- & Chen Ding
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| Open AccessBacteria slingshot more on soft surfaces
Pseudomonas aeruginosa migrate by deploying their type-IV pili. Here, Zhang et al. show that P. aeruginosacan adapt to the physical microenvironment by using their type-IV pili to ‘slingshot’ more across soft surfaces to exploit inherent shear thinning properties of the surface.
- Rongrong Zhang
- , Lei Ni
- & Fan Jin
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| Open AccessThe K526R substitution in viral protein PB2 enhances the effects of E627K on influenza virus replication
Mutations in the viral polymerase, such as PB2-E627K, contribute to adaptation of avian influenza strains to mammalian hosts. Here the authors show that another mutation, PB2-K526R, is found in seasonal H3N2 and avian-origin human influenza isolates, and facilitates replication of these viruses in mammals.
- Wenjun Song
- , Pui Wang
- & Honglin Chen
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Structural basis for trypanosomal haem acquisition and susceptibility to the host innate immune system
Trypanosomes, responsible for sleeping sickness, acquire haem through binding haptoglobin(Hp)–haemoglobin(Hb) complexes in human blood. Here Stødkilde et al. determine the structure of human Hp–Hb in complex with the Hp–Hb receptor from T. bruceiand show that the recognition elements are shared by a protein complex on the surface of a trypanolytic lipoprotein particle.
- Kristian Stødkilde
- , Morten Torvund-Jensen
- & Christian B. F. Andersen
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| Open AccessDiversification of bacterial genome content through distinct mechanisms over different timescales
Populations of the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniaeconsist of distinct co-circulating lineages. Here, the authors show lineages are characterized by particular combinations of stable genomic islands, whereas prophage and restriction-modification systems vary over short timescales.
- Nicholas J. Croucher
- , Paul G. Coupland
- & William P. Hanage
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Hepatitis C virus genetics affects miR-122 requirements and response to miR-122 inhibitors
Replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires a host RNA molecule, miR-122, whose transient inhibition is being explored as an antiviral therapy. Here, the authors study the interaction between miR-122 and HCV, and identify mutations in HCV strains that affect susceptibility to miR-122 inhibition.
- Benjamin Israelow
- , Gavriel Mullokandov
- & Matthew J. Evans
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| Open AccessEvidence for henipavirus spillover into human populations in Africa
Henipaviruses (HNVs) infect bats in Asia and Africa, but transmission to humans (often with lethal consequences) is known only in Asia. Here the authors show that 3% of human serum samples from certain areas in Cameroon contain antibodies against HNV, indicating spillover into the human population.
- Olivier Pernet
- , Bradley S. Schneider
- & Benhur Lee
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| Open AccessStructure and function of a spectrin-like regulator of bacterial cytokinesis
EzrA regulates the polymerization of FtsZ, a tubulin-like protein and main component of the Z-ring, which drives cell division in bacteria. Here the authors describe the crystal structure of EzrA and demonstrate that it shares structural and functional properties with eukaryotic spectrins.
- Robert M. Cleverley
- , Jeffrey R. Barrett
- & Richard J. Lewis
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Polarity of bacterial magnetotaxis is controlled by aerotaxis through a common sensory pathway
Magnetotactic bacteria sense and migrate along the geomagnetic field, but the molecular mechanism for directed motion is not known. Here, Popp et al. show that M. gryphiswaldensedisplays swimming polarity in an oxygen gradient sensed by the chemotactic sensory pathway CheOp1, revealing a link between aerotactic sensing and magnetotactic polarity.
- Felix Popp
- , Judith P. Armitage
- & Dirk Schüler
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| Open AccessRapid detection of single bacteria in unprocessed blood using Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection
Early detection of blood stream infections is essential for providing effective treatments. Here the authors present a system integrating DNAzyme sensors, droplet microfluidics and a high-throughput 3D particle counter that can detect specific, single bacterial cells in blood within a few hours.
- Dong-Ku Kang
- , M. Monsur Ali
- & Weian Zhao
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Unencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae from conjunctivitis encode variant traits and belong to a distinct phylogenetic cluster
Pneumococci can cause a variety of bacterial infections including conjunctivitis. Here, Valentino et al.show that most conjunctivitis-causing pneumococci belong to a closely related group of strains that possess a unique set of putative virulence factors.
- Michael D. Valentino
- , Abigail Manson McGuire
- & Michael S. Gilmore
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The staphylococcal toxins γ-haemolysin AB and CB differentially target phagocytes by employing specific chemokine receptors
Genes encoding two pore-forming toxins (γ-haemolysins HlgAB and HlgCB) are present in almost all human Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Here Spaan et al.show that HlgAB and HlgCB target different phagocyte types by interacting with specific chemokine receptors and complement receptors, respectively.
- András N. Spaan
- , Manouk Vrieling
- & Thomas Henry
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Genome-wide association study of Arabidopsis thaliana leaf microbial community
The effect of a host's genetic variation on the structure of its microbial community is poorly understood. Here, Horton et al. reveal associations between genetic variants in the plant model species Arabidopsis thalianaand the composition of the leaves' microbial communities.
- Matthew W. Horton
- , Natacha Bodenhausen
- & Joy Bergelson
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| Open AccessProgressive contraction of the latent HIV reservoir around a core of less-differentiated CD4+ memory T Cells
HIV can persist in CD4+T cells of patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy. Here the authors show the presence of intrinsic dynamics that progressively contract the latent HIV reservoir around a core of less-differentiated CD4 T-cell memory subsets.
- S. Jaafoura
- , M. G. de Goër de Herve
- & Y. Taoufik
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| Open AccessEndogenous florendoviruses are major components of plant genomes and hallmarks of virus evolution
Endogenous viral elements have been extensively described in animals but their significance in plants is less well understood. Here, Geering et al. describe a new group of endogenous pararetroviruses, called florendoviruses, which have colonized the genomes of many important crop species.
- Andrew D. W. Geering
- , Florian Maumus
- & Pierre-Yves Teycheney
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| Open AccessRectified directional sensing in long-range cell migration
Cell migration is regulated by spatial and temporal information, but how the two are integrated is not well understood. Here, Nakajima et al. use dynamic microfluidics gradients to show that Ras activation at the leading edge of Dictyosteliumis suppressed when chemoattractant concentration decreases over time.
- Akihiko Nakajima
- , Shuji Ishihara
- & Satoshi Sawai
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Versatile control of Plasmodium falciparum gene expression with an inducible protein–RNA interaction
Rapid and stable manipulation of gene expression in the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum remains a significant challenge. Goldfless et al. adapt a system for the inducible control of mRNA translation for use in Plasmodiumand demonstrate its use to validate targets of antimalarial drugs.
- Stephen J. Goldfless
- , Jeffrey C. Wagner
- & Jacquin C. Niles
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Versatile in vitro system to study translocation and functional integration of bacterial outer membrane proteins
The mechanisms of protein translocation across and integration into bacterial outer membranes are poorly understood. Here, Norell et al. reconstitute type-V secretion and β-barrel protein biogenesis in proteoliposomes providing a versatile cell-free system to study integration and translocation.
- Derrick Norell
- , Alexander Heuck
- & Enguo Fan
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Multiple enzymatic activities of ParB/Srx superfamily mediate sexual conflict among conjugative plasmids
Conjugative plasmids block translocation of rival plasmids using fertility inhibition factors (FINs). Here Maindola et al.present the structure of the FIN Osa and show that it contains a ParB/Sulfiredoxin fold with both ATPase and DNase activity, with general functional implications for this fold.
- Priyank Maindola
- , Rahul Raina
- & Arulandu Arockiasamy
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Covalently linked hopanoid-lipid A improves outer-membrane resistance of a Bradyrhizobium symbiont of legumes
Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria play key roles in the microbial interactions with animals and plants. Here the authors identify a unique LPS with a covalently-attached hopanoid moiety that contributes to membrane stability in a bacterial symbiont of legumes.
- Alba Silipo
- , Giuseppe Vitiello
- & Antonio Molinaro
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Evolutionary expansion of a regulatory network by counter-silencing
Genes acquired by horizontal transfer must be incorporated into existing regulatory networks to become functional. Here, Will et al. show that conserved and horizontally acquired PhoP-regulated genes in Salmonellaare regulated by distinct mechanisms, defined by promoter architecture.
- W. Ryan Will
- , Denise H. Bale
- & Ferric C. Fang
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| Open AccessAssembly of complex plant–fungus networks
Ecological communities consist of complex networks of interacting species whose linkages may be difficult to follow. Using next-generation sequencing, Toju et al.uncover the architecture of a plant-fungus network and find clear structural differences when compared with other communities.
- Hirokazu Toju
- , Paulo R. Guimarães
- & John N. Thompson
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Interleukin-1α released from HSV-1-infected keratinocytes acts as a functional alarmin in the skin
HSV-1 is known to evade the immune system by retention of interleukin-1β. Here, the authors show that HSV-1-infected keratinocytes circumvent this mechanism by release of interleukin-1α, which recruits leukocytes and prevents viral dissemination.
- Katelynn A. Milora
- , Samantha L. Miller
- & Liselotte E. Jensen
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| Open Access‘Division of labour’ in response to host oxidative burst drives a fatal Cryptococcus gattii outbreak
Outbreak strains of the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus gattii display an increased ability to form tubular mitochondria. Here, Voelz et al.show that mitochondrial tubularization is induced by host reactive oxygen species within macrophages and facilitates rapid growth of neighbouring fungal cells.
- Kerstin Voelz
- , Simon A. Johnston
- & Robin C. May
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Carbonate-hosted methanotrophy represents an unrecognized methane sink in the deep sea
Methane is a significant contributor to greenhouse forcing, and determining its fluxes and reservoirs is important in understanding the methane cycle. Here, the authors investigate microbial methane oxidation in carbonates of the deep sea that represent a previously unrecognized biological sink for methane.
- Jeffrey J. Marlow
- , Joshua A. Steele
- & Victoria J. Orphan
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The X-ray crystal structure of the euryarchaeal RNA polymerase in an open-clamp configuration
Archaeal and eukaryotic RNA polymerases (RNAP) have conserved functional and structural similarities. Here, Jun et al.solve the first structure of a euryarchaeal RNAP in the open clamp conformation and identify insertions that may have evolved in eukaryotic Pol II to bind unique transcription factors.
- Sung-Hoon Jun
- , Akira Hirata
- & Katsuhiko S. Murakami
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| Open AccessPositive selection and compensatory adaptation interact to stabilize non-transmissible plasmids
Plasmids are important for bacterial evolution but the evolutionary mechanisms behind their maintenance are unclear. Here the authors show that the interplay between compensatory adaptation and positive selection for plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance determines plasmid persistence in P. aeruginosa.
- A. San Millan
- , R. Peña-Miller
- & R. C. MacLean
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Epistatic interactions between neuraminidase mutations facilitated the emergence of the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 influenza viruses
Understanding influenza evolution is challenging. Here, the authors determine the timing and order of critical amino acid changes that contributed to a world-wide predominance of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 influenza viruses and show the role of epistasis in the emergence of novel influenza phenotypes.
- Susu Duan
- , Elena A. Govorkova
- & Richard J. Webby
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Novel residues in avian influenza virus PB2 protein affect virulence in mammalian hosts
Avian influenza viruses can mutate and become infectious to humans, sometimes causing high mortality. Here, Fan et al.identify three mutations in viral protein PB2 that affect virulence in mammalian hosts.
- Shufang Fan
- , Masato Hatta
- & Yoshihiro Kawaoka
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Quantification of plasma HIV RNA using chemically engineered peptide nucleic acids
There is a great need for inexpensive and sensitive tests to measure HIV viral load in patients’ samples. Here, Zhao et al. describe a cost-effective colorimetric method based on synthetic peptide nucleic acids that quantifies HIV RNA molecules from infected patients’ plasma.
- Chao Zhao
- , Travis Hoppe
- & Daniel H. Appella
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Phylogenomic analyses uncover origin and spread of the Wolbachia pandemic
Wolbachia are common obligate intracellular symbionts, yet their evolutionary relationships remain largely unknown. Here, the authors present a phylogenomic analysis of the group and show a possible single origin of the ubiquitous Wolbachialineages.
- Michael Gerth
- , Marie-Theres Gansauge
- & Christoph Bleidorn
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| Open AccessLong-distance endosome trafficking drives fungal effector production during plant infection
It is unclear how the nuclei of very long fungal cells (hyphae) receive information from the hyphal tips during the invasion of plant tissues. Here, the authors show that retrograde movement of early endosomes, from the hyphal tip to the nucleus, is required for this signalling process.
- Ewa Bielska
- , Yujiro Higuchi
- & Gero Steinberg
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Visualizing the replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells and in living mice
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe respiratory disease in young children. Here, Rameix-Welti et al. create fluorescent and bioluminescent RSV strains that allow real-time analysis of viral replication and screening of antiviral compounds in cultured cells and in live animals.
- Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti
- , Ronan Le Goffic
- & Jean-François Eléouët
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| Open AccessA random six-phase switch regulates pneumococcal virulence via global epigenetic changes
Pneumococci can alternate between harmless and highly virulent forms. Here the authors show that such variation may be due to random rearrangements in a genetic locus encoding a restriction-modification system, resulting in epigenetic changes that affect expression of many genes.
- Ana Sousa Manso
- , Melissa H. Chai
- & Marco R. Oggioni
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Molecular basis of transmembrane beta-barrel formation of staphylococcal pore-forming toxins
Pore-forming toxins secreted by pathogenic bacteria attack target cells by forming openings that span the plasma membrane. Here, Yamashita et al. shed light on the mechanism of pore assembly by solving the crystal structures of two staphylococcal toxins in their prepore conformations.
- Daichi Yamashita
- , Takaki Sugawara
- & Min Yao
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High-resolution structure of the Shigella type-III secretion needle by solid-state NMR and cryo-electron microscopy
Solving structures of large protein complexes remains a significant challenge for structural biologists. Demers et al. determine the atomic structure of a Shigellatype-III secretion system using a Rosetta-based modelling strategy that draws on both solid-state NMR and cryo-electron microscopy data sets.
- Jean-Philippe Demers
- , Birgit Habenstein
- & Nikolaos G. Sgourakis
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Vibrio cholerae use pili and flagella synergistically to effect motility switching and conditional surface attachment
Vibrio cholerae require flagella and mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin pili to attach to surfaces and form biofilms. Here Utada et al.find that flagella and pili act synergistically to mechanically scan a surface before irreversibly attaching via the pili.
- Andrew S. Utada
- , Rachel R. Bennett
- & Gerard C. L. Wong
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Primate-specific miR-576-3p sets host defense signalling threshold
miRNAs regulate a range of biological processes, including the immune response and viral infection. Here, the authors perform a genome-wide miRNA mimic screen and identify a miRNA induced by IRF3 during viral infection that regulates viral–host interactions.
- Melanie L. Yarbrough
- , Ke Zhang
- & Beatriz M. A. Fontoura
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Niche and host-associated functional signatures of the root surface microbiome
Assembly of the root surface microbiome varies according to soil type and plant species. Here, Ofek-Lalzar et al.use metagenome and metatranscriptome analysis to reveal distinct functional signatures of microbial communities associated with two diverse plant hosts.
- Maya Ofek-Lalzar
- , Noa Sela
- & Dror Minz
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eEF2 and Ras-GAP SH3 domain-binding protein (G3BP1) modulate stress granule assembly during HIV-1 infection
Cells under environmental stress, including viral infections, accumulate RNA molecules stalled in pre-initiation complexes known as stress granules (SG). Here the authors show that the viral protein Gag counters anti-viral stress responses by inhibiting SG assembly during HIV-1 infection.
- Fernando Valiente-Echeverría
- , Luca Melnychuk
- & Andrew J. Mouland
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Programmable biofilm-based materials from engineered curli nanofibres
Bacterial cells use a self-generated extracellular matrix of various biomolecules in order to form biofilms and promote their stability. Here, the authors present a method for genetically controlling the composition of this extracellular matrix to yield more functional biofilms.
- Peter Q. Nguyen
- , Zsofia Botyanszki
- & Neel S. Joshi
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| Open AccessUnexpected structure for the N-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein E1
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) gains entry into host cells via envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. Here, El Omari et al.present the crystal structure of the N terminus of the E1 ectodomain of HCV and show that it adopts a different fold than predicted.
- Kamel El Omari
- , Oleg Iourin
- & David I. Stuart
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Conserved and host-specific features of influenza virion architecture
Influenza-infected cells produce viral particles that incorporate a mixture of viral and host proteins. Here the authors analyse by mass spectrometry the protein composition of such particles and show that the host species determines certain characteristics of an otherwise conserved architecture.
- Edward C. Hutchinson
- , Philip D. Charles
- & Ervin Fodor
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Deciphering Fur transcriptional regulatory network highlights its complex role beyond iron metabolism in Escherichia coli
The ferric uptake regulator, Fur, is involved in the transcriptional regulation of iron metabolism. Here the authors show that Fur exhibits genome-wide regulatory effects in Escherichia colithat control many fundamental cellular processes linked to iron metabolism.
- Sang Woo Seo
- , Donghyuk Kim
- & Bernhard O. Palsson
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| Open AccessSize-independent symmetric division in extraordinarily long cells
Known mechanisms that determine symmetric division-plane positioning during cell division are unlikely to operate effectively over very long distances. Pende et al. show that extraordinarily long Gammaproteobacteria divide symmetrically despite reaching 120 microns in length
- Nika Pende
- , Nikolaus Leisch
- & Silvia Bulgheresi
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Streptomycin potency is dependent on MscL channel expression
The mechanism by which the common antibiotic streptomycin enters bacterial cells is unclear. Here, Iscla et al.show that streptomycin alters the activity of the bacterial mechanosensitive ion channel, MscL, inducing potassium efflux, and suggest that this channel may provide a route for cell entry.
- Irene Iscla
- , Robin Wray
- & Paul Blount
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