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The intracellular pathogensLegionella pneumophila and Coxiella burnetiiuse the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system to translocate effectors into host cells. Qiu and Luo explore the biochemical and cell biological functions of these effectors and their roles in our understanding of bacterial virulence.
In this study, Patel, Whiteet al. discover that the hepatitis B virus pre-genome RNA contains specific nucleotide motifs that mediate interactions with the viral capsid protein to drive nucleocapsid assembly.
This study presents cryo-electron microscopy structures of the type I-E Cascade and provides insights into PAM-dependent R-loop formation, Cas3 recruitment and substrate handover.
This month's Genome Watch highlights how sequencing the genomes of multiple bacterial isolates from humans and animal infection models has revealed the presence of mutations that might represent adaptations for persistence in the host.
The evolutionary function of natural competence remains controversial and several hypotheses for a function have been proposed. In this Opinion article, Veening and Blokesch propose that kin-discriminated predation that is linked to natural competence serves as a DNA acquisition strategy and therefore contributes to bacterial evolution.
This study found a new role for chaperone–usher pathway (CUP) pili in the colonization of the gut by uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) and identified a mannoside compound that could be used to prevent their binding to host cells.
The release of membrane-bound vesicles from cells is being increasingly recognized as a mechanism of intercellular communication. In this Review, Raab-Traub and Dittmer discuss the roles that extracellular vesicles have during virus infection.
Species in the genusPseudomonas thrive in diverse ecological niches and are infected with equally diverse bacteriophages. In this Review, De Smet et al. discuss the interactions between Pseudomonasspp. and their phages and also address the biotechnological applications that may be derived from phage–bacteria interactions.
The resilience of the microbiota can protect us from disease, but a resilient dysbiotic microbiota may also cause disease. This Opinion article discusses the concepts and mechanisms of microbial resilience against dietary, antibiotic or bacteriotherapy-induced perturbations and the implications these have for human health.
In this Review, Pedra and colleagues describe the advances and challenges in the genetic engineering of obligate intracellular bacteria, and highlight examples of how the use of genetically manipulated pathogens has improved our understanding of microbial pathogenesis and host–pathogen interactions.
The transmission of commensal intestinal bacteria between humans could promote health by establishing, maintaining and replenishing microbial diversity in the microbiota of an individual. In this Review, Browne and colleagues discuss the mechanisms and factors that influence host-to-host transmission of the intestinal microbiota.
Plasmodium falciparumexports several variant antigens to the surface of erythrocytes. In this Review, Wahlgren, Goel and Akhouri discuss the three best characterized of these protein families, PfEMP1, RIFIN and STEVOR, and highlight their role in the development of severe malaria.
