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The type III secretion injectisome delivers bacterial proteins into the cytosol of eukaryotic target cells. Here, Guy Cornelis reviews our current understanding of the structure, assembly and operation of this nanomachine.
The article focuses on the tensions between the opposing forces of maintaining genome integrity and increasing genome diversification inHelicobacter pylori. The authors propose that this generates a dynamic pool of genetic variants that is sufficiently diverse to occupy the different niches in the stomach.
Humans vary in their susceptibility to HIV infection, and identifying the host genetic factors that cause this variation is a priority for vaccine development. Progress in high-throughput genotyping and in knowledge about human genetic variation allows systematic searching for genetic variants that influence the human response to HIV-1.
The global spread of H5N1 avian influenza virus has raised concerns that H5N1 might adapt to the human host and cause the next human influenza pandemic. Novel glycan array technologies can rapidly assess the receptor specificity of influenza viruses, detecting changes that might signal human adaptation.
Anaerobic microbial iron oxidation and reduction contributes significantly to soil and sediment biogeochemistry and mineralogy in anaerobic environments. Here, Weber and colleagues review the diversity of microorganisms involved in these processes, and the unique biochemical challenges associated with utilizing an insoluble metal substrate.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the biology of prions, yet many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Aguzzi and Heikenwalder discuss some of these unanswered questions, focusing on the role of the immune system in prion pathogenesis.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had a major impact on the clinical management of HIV-1 infection. However, the emergence of resistant variants requires that follow-up drug regimens be optimized to maximum therapeutic effect. This article focuses on bioinformatics approaches that can be used to support anti-HIV therapy.
The ribozyme RNase P catalyses maturation of the 5′-end of tRNA and is found in cells from all three domains of life. Kazantsev and Pace summarize what is known about the bacterial RNase P, bringing together recent structural results with biochemical and phylogenetic data.
This article outlines the recently developed reverse-genetics systems for Borna disease virus (BDV), which will provide a powerful tool for the investigation of thecis-acting signals and trans-acting factors that control BDV RNA replication and gene expression.
The computational prediction of the particular cellular compartment that a bacterial protein is destined for is an important aspect of microbiological research. This article discusses the methods currently available to predict bacterial protein localization.
Unlike many other bacterial pathogens, there is little evidence for genetic recombination in theMycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Smith et al. review how this strict clonality has shaped the phylogeny of the M. tuberculosis complex, focusing on the consequences of clonality for the population structure of Mycobacterium boviswithin the British Isles.
Early and accurate disease diagnosis is a pivotal, yet frequently overlooked, component of successful malaria management programmes. Here, David Bell and colleagues discuss the importance of parasite-based diagnosis, and how rapid diagnostic tests have the potential to significantly improve tropical fever management.
MicroRNAs are exciting new regulators of genes involved in cell growth and development. Regulatory roles for microRNAs have been identified in plants and animals, but these tiny regulators have not been found in bacteria or fungi. Here, Sarnow and colleagues discuss the fascinating roles of both virus- and host-cell-encoded microRNAs in virus lifestyles.
Comparative genomic analysis can be a powerful tool to investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms responsible for bacterial niche specialization. Here, the clues that can be gleaned from the complete genome sequences of five different Vibrionaceae species are discussed.
To survive in various niches, bacteria must effectively integrate a multiplicity of signals from their environment. In this Opinion article, the authors discuss whether recent reports that theSalmonella typhimuriumPhoP/PhoQ system recognizes antimicrobial peptides are likely to be biologically significant.
In this Opinion article the authors propose that peptidoglycan is not only an essential structural component of the bacterial cell wall, but is also involved in diverse biological processes, such as microbial pathogenesis, symbiotic associations and a range of interactions between bacteria and other organisms.
