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The microbiota is central for host homeostasis and affects not only the gut but also other organs, including the lungs. In this Opinion article, Hansbro and colleagues explore the role of the microbiota in the gut–lung axis and lung disease.
This study investigated the role of IFITM proteins in the restriction of HIV-1 strains that have different receptor tropism and identified IFITM proteins as major effectors of the innate immune response.
In this Review, Claassenset al. discuss recent advances in microbial autotrophic production platforms, in particular the genetic engineering of autotrophic systems in autotrophic microorganisms, the transplantation of partial or complete CO2fixation pathways and autotrophic energy-harvesting systems into heterotrophs, and the large potential of hybrid systems as autotrophic production platforms. They also explore strategies for the design, quantitative analysis and modular experimental implementation of autotrophic cell factories.
Mycobacteria use ESX systems to secrete substrates across their cell envelopes. In this Review, Brosch and colleagues describe the roles of ESX systems in host–pathogen interactions and consider how studies of ESX systems might inform vaccine design and therapy development.
The division of labour is an important strategy in microbial species. In this Perspective, Cooper and West propose a set of conditions that define division of labour, describe recent examples according to these conditions and discuss how clarifying what constitutes division of labour highlights key evolutionary questions.
Similarly to competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in mammalian cells, competition for regulatory RNAs and proteins can lead to crosstalk between bacterial mRNAs. In this Opinion article, Bossi and Figueroa-Bossi argue that such competition for regulatory targets may have a substantial influence on bacterial gene networks.
Magnetosomes are unique organelles that 'magnetize' bacteria. In this Review, Uebe and Schüler discuss our current understanding of the mechanisms of magnetosome biogenesis, and consider how recent genetic advances in this area may lead to the development of exciting biotechnological applications.
Protozoan parasites produce extracellular vesicles to communicate with the host and within the parasite population. In this Progress article, Hajduk and colleagues review the production and effects of extracellular vesicles from parasites, includingPlasmodium spp., Trichomonas vaginalisand kinetoplastids.
