Review Articles in 2007

Carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) are a family of diverse molecules that can bind to specific glycan structures on viruses or target cells. Jan Balzarini describes a new antiviral mechanism that is based on the specific interaction of CBAs with the glycans that are present on viral-envelope glycoproteins.

RNA pseudoknots have been identified in many different viral and cellular RNAs and are known to have various roles in virus and cellular gene expression. Here, Ian Brierley and colleagues review viral pseudoknots and the role of these structural motifs in virus gene expression and genome replication.

Infections with dengue virus have increased significantly over the past two decades and it is estimated that >3 billion people live in at-risk areas worldwide. Whitehead and colleagues discuss the challenges that are associated with the development of an effective tetravalent dengue vaccine and the progress that has been made towards achieving this goal.

Infections with bacterial pathogens still cause more than 5 million deaths annually. In this article, Stefan Kaufmann discusses how rational vaccine design against bacterial pathogens can benefit from recent insights into the host immune response.

Rotavirus is responsible for >500,000 deaths in children under 5 years of age worldwide annually. Two new vaccines shown to protect against rotavirus gastroenteritis were recently licensed. Angel, Franco and Greenberg review recent advances in our knowledge of the virus, the host immune response to rotavirus infection and the efficacy and safety of the new vaccines.

In addition to improving our understanding of target antigens for vaccines and their correlates of protection, recent advances in immunological research, particularly in our understanding of innate immunity, have also had a major impact on adjuvant research. Bruno Guy reviews the practical applications of our increased understanding of the immune system in the design and development of more specific and focused adjuvants.

Shigellosis still causes a huge burden of disease worldwide, particularly in infants and young children in developing countries. Yet despite more than 4 decades of intensive research, efforts to develop a shigellosis vaccine have been unsuccessful. Here, Levine and colleagues review the story so far.

As improvements continue to be made in medical care, so the number of immunocompromised patients increases, and invasive fungal infections caused byCryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatusare a particular problem for this group of patients. Here, the prospects for harnessing the fungal calcineurin pathway in the development of novel antifungals to tackle invasive fungal infections are discussed.

Mechanosensitive channels have a major role in maintaining the homeostasis of bacterial cells. These channels also ensure the physical integrity of bacterial cells by sensing physical perturbations of the membrane and gating in response to this signal. This Review looks at the latest data on these fascinating membrane proteins.

Helicobacter pyloriis a hugely successful pathogen that exhibits extraordinary genetic heterogeneity. Here, Sebastian Suerbaum and Christine Josenhans review the genetic diversity ofH. pyloriand the mechanisms that mediate its diversification within the human host.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) afflicts more than 170 million people worldwide causing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The recent development of complete cell-culture systems for HCV has accelerated the pace of hepatitis research. Specifically, these techniques have provided new insights into the virus lifecycle that are reviewed here. This should pave the way for developing bespoke and effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.

Natural killer T (NKT) cells influence diverse immune responses, combining features of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This Review examines the unique role of invariant NKT cells (which have an invariant T-cell-receptor α-chain) in the response to various microbial pathogens.

Thetad (tight adherence) genes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansspecify the production of adhesive pili that function in biofilm formation, colonization and pathogenesis of this periodontal pathogen. The article reviews the evidence that the Tad secretion system represents a widespread new type of prokaryotic secretion system that has important functions in different bacterial pathogens.

Bacteria use a range of regulatory strategies to control replication initiation, many of which are tightly connected to the activities of the bacterial initiator DnaA. Here, Melissa Mott and James Berger review our current understanding of the mechanisms and regulation of bacterial DNA replication initiation, with a particular emphasis on DnaA.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are innate immune receptors that are highly conserved from insects to mammals. Recent studies have revealed that, despite this conservation, insect and mammalian PGRPs defend host cells against infection by different mechanisms. Julien Royet and Roman Dziarski review these contrasting modes of action.

RNase Z is the endoribonuclease responsible for the maturation of the 3′-end of transfer RNAs. Here, Condon and colleagues outline the recent important developments that have contributed to our understanding of this enzyme in prokaryotes.

Rather than using a conventional type I or II fatty-acid synthase,Trypanosoma bruceisynthesize most of their fatty acids by an unprecedented mechanism. Here, Paul Englund and colleagues describe this unusual metabolic system and how it contributes to the unique biology of these parasites.

Pneumonia caused by the fungusPneumocystisis the most prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Here, Charles Thomas and Andrew Limper review the latest knowledge on the biology and pathogenesis of this opportunistic fungal pathogen.

Coral reefs are associated with large populations of eukaryotic algae, bacteria and archaea that are crucial to their biology and ultimate survival. Here, Eugene Rosenberg and colleagues review the role of microorganisms in coral health and disease, focusing on the impact of the environment on these processes.

Resistance to antibiotics in microorganisms predates the use of these drugs. This Review examines why antibiotic resistance is inevitable and where it originates from.