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A combination of genetic, biochemical and structural approaches reveals how the nucleoid-associated protein MatP compacts theE. colichromosome using a bridging mechanism.
Rather than inhibiting bacterial growth by completely blocking protein synthesis, macrolide antibiotics permit the translation of a distinct subset of proteins, and this could be even more detrimental to the bacterial cell.
Fungi produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites that have a range of functions and great pharmacological potential. In this Review, Axel Brakhage describes the regulatory pathways governing the production of these secondary metabolites and discusses how this knowledge provides a new avenue for drug discovery.
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have an intrinsic capacity to recognize a broad microbial repertoire through their invariant T cell receptor, which interacts with antigen presented by MHC class I-related protein 1 (MR1). Here, Marielle Gold and David Lewinsohn highlight recent insights suggesting that this unique, 'innate' T cell subset plays an important part in the early recognition and containment of infection.
Compared with our understanding of the microbial ecology of the rhizosphere (the below-ground parts of plants), our understanding of the microbial ecology of the phyllosphere (the aerial parts of plants) has lagged behind, but this has begun to change in recent years. Here, Julia Vorholt reviews the latest research into the composition of microbial phyllosphere communities, the factors that drive this composition and the adaptation of these communities to the plant environment.
Although it may never be possible for a single animal model to recapitulate all of the features of HIV-1 infection of humans, there have been great advances in the development of small-animal and non-human primate models, as well as in the development of recombinant challenge viruses. Here, the authors review the advantages and disadvantages of the different animal models of HIV/AIDS with respect to their use in the preclinical development of vaccines and antiretroviral therapies.
The throughput of protein structure determination has increased greatly over the past decade, thanks to advances in X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Protein structure information is now routinely used in vaccine design, and here, Rappuoli and colleagues describe some of the most recent developments in this new field of structural vaccinology.
A newly discovered lytic phage of the phytopathogenPectobacterium atrosepticumsuppresses toxin-mediated abortive infection by mimicking or hijacking the corresponding RNA antitoxin.
The identification of a novel endonuclease inC. crescentusthat cleaves chromosomal DNA in response to DNA damage, providing support for the hypothesis that bacteria undergo apoptosis-like cell death.
Characterization of a bacterial cytoplasmic membrane protein that requires the action of both the Sec and Tat pathways to ensure correct insertion into the membrane.