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This month's Genome Watch looks at how whole genome sequencing (WGS) can be used to track the source ofPseudomonas aeruginosainfection and to investigate its transition and adaptation from the environment to a human host.
A new study shows that, in addition to inhibiting penicillin-binding proteins, β-lactams induce peptidoglycan degradation, which enhances bacterial killing.
Polintons are large DNA transposons that are widespread in the genomes of eukaryotes. Here, Krupovic and Koonin propose that Polintons were the first group of eukaryotic double-stranded DNA viruses to evolve from bacteriophages and that they gave rise to most large DNA viruses of eukaryotes and various other selfish elements.
Two studies now provide new insights into the positioning and membrane association of two components of theStreptococcus pneumoniaeZ ring, the tubulin-related GTPase FtsZ and the actin-related protein FtsA, respectively.
Recent studies have indicated that the recognition of microorganism-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves a larger set of chemotactic MAMPs and corresponding GPCRs than was previously thought. Peschel and colleagues review bacterial leukocyte-attracting molecules, the corresponding human receptors, and their roles in antibacterial host defence.
Some bacteria interact with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to generate intracellular compartments that promote bacterial replication. However, conditions of physiological stress in the ER elicit the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is a cytoprotective response that is also involved in innate immune sensing. Here, Celli and Tsolis discuss how bacteria and the ER interact, including how bacteria induce the UPR, how subversion of the UPR promotes bacterial proliferation and how the UPR participates in innate immune responses against intracellular bacteria.
In this Opinion article, Baquero and colleagues propose a hierarchical system for estimating the risks associated with genes present in environmental resistomes, by evaluating the likelihood of their introduction into human pathogens, and the consequences of such introduction events for the treatment of bacterial infections.
This month's Genome Watch compares and contrasts two studies that used a common genomic approach to understand different pathogenic forms ofEscherichia coli.
The debate on whether to allow experiments that increase the transmission and/or pathogenicity of potential pandemic pathogens has recently gained renewed attention, particularly as a result of studies on influenza viruses. Here, five experts discuss the benefits and risks associated with these gain-of-function experiments, and how the ongoing debate affects the scientific community and the general public.
