Current opinion in microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Phage transmission strategies: are phages farming their host?","authors":"Yorben Casters,&nbsp;Leonard E Bäcker,&nbsp;Kevin Broux,&nbsp;Abram Aertsen","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Extensive coevolution has led to utterly intricate interactions between phages and their bacterial hosts. While both the (short-term) intracellular molecular host-subversion mechanisms during a phage infection cycle and the (long-term) mutational arms race between phages and host cells have traditionally received a lot of attention, there has been an underestimating neglect of (mid-term) transmission strategies by which phages manage to cautiously spread throughout their host population. However, recent findings underscore that phages encode mechanisms to avoid host cell scarcity and promote coexistence with the host, giving the impression that some phages manage to ‘farm’ their host population to ensure access to host cells for lytic consumption. Given the tremendous impact of phages on bacterial ecology, charting and understanding the complexity of such transmission strategies is of key importance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102481"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140650639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcript tinkering: RNA modifications in protozoan parasites","authors":"Tiziano Vignolini,&nbsp;Justine E.C. Couble,&nbsp;Grégory R.G. Doré,&nbsp;Sebastian Baumgarten","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Apicomplexan and trypanosomatid parasites have evolved a wide range of post-transcriptional processes that allow them to replicate, differentiate, and transmit within and among multiple different tissue, host, and vector environments. In this review, we highlight the recent advances that point toward the regulatory potential of RNA modifications in mediating these processes on the coding and noncoding transcriptome throughout the life cycle of protozoan parasites. We discuss the recent technical advancements enabling the study of the ‘epitranscriptome’ and how parasites evolved RNA modification-mediated mechanisms adapted to their unique lifestyles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102477"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000535/pdfft?md5=c281799d97f88f3ac2e2c2886b43c286&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000535-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140646239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell wall synthesizing complexes in Mycobacteriales","authors":"Fabian M Meyer,&nbsp;Marc Bramkamp","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Members of the order <em>Mycobacteriales</em> are distinguished by a characteristic diderm cell envelope, setting them apart from other Actinobacteria species. In addition to the conventional peptidoglycan cell wall, these organisms feature an extra polysaccharide polymer composed of arabinose and galactose, termed arabinogalactan. The nonreducing ends of arabinose are covalently linked to mycolic acids (MAs), forming the immobile inner leaflet of the highly hydrophobic MA membrane. The contiguous outer leaflet of the MA membrane comprises trehalose mycolates and various lipid species. Similar to all actinobacteria, <em>Mycobacteriales</em> exhibit apical growth, facilitated by a polar localized elongasome complex. A septal cell envelope synthesis machinery, the divisome, builds instead of the cell wall structures during cytokinesis. In recent years, a growing body of knowledge has emerged regarding the cell wall synthesizing complexes of <em>Mycobacteriales.</em>, focusing particularly on three model species: <em>Corynebacterium glutamicum</em>, <em>Mycobacterium smegmatis</em>, and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em>.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102478"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000547/pdfft?md5=669f612932273395c977b4ed5d9c9807&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000547-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140638382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Renal implications of coronavirus disease 2019: insights into viral tropism and clinical outcomes","authors":"Valentin A Bärreiter ,&nbsp;Toni L Meister","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In recent years, multiple coronaviruses have emerged, with the latest one, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing a global pandemic. Besides respiratory symptoms, some patients experienced extrapulmonary effects, such as cardiac damage or renal injury, indicating the broad tropism of SARS-CoV-2. The ability of the virus to effectively invade the renal cellular environment can eventually cause tissue-specific damage and disease. Indeed, patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 exhibited a variety of symptoms such as acute proximal tubular injury, ischemic collapse, and severe acute tubular necrosis resulting in irreversible kidney failure. This review summarizes the current knowledge on how it is believed that SARS-CoV-2 influences the renal environment and induces kidney disease, as well as current therapy approaches.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102475"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000511/pdfft?md5=f879234e8b89fb41d282c4ec00f72541&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000511-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140551691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroinvasion and neurotropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection","authors":"Michelle Jagst ,&nbsp;Lilli Pottkämper ,&nbsp;André Gömer ,&nbsp;Kalliopi Pitarokoili ,&nbsp;Eike Steinmann","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102474","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019, contributes to neurological pathologies in nearly 30% of patients, extending beyond respiratory symptoms. These manifestations encompass disorders of both the peripheral and central nervous systems, causing among others cerebrovascular issues and psychiatric manifestations during the acute and/or post-acute infection phases. Despite ongoing research, uncertainties persist about the precise mechanism the virus uses to infiltrate the central nervous system and the involved entry portals. This review discusses the potential entry routes, including hematogenous and anterograde transport. Furthermore, we explore variations in neurotropism, neurovirulence, and neurological manifestations among pandemic-associated variants of concern. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 can infect numerous cells within the peripheral and central nervous system, provoke inflammatory responses, and induce neuropathological changes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102474"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136952742400050X/pdfft?md5=3bfb870c627ec36f3aabb71ca1f1947e&pid=1-s2.0-S136952742400050X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140551690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The menace within: bacterial amyloids as a trigger for autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases","authors":"Molly Elkins ,&nbsp;Neha Jain ,&nbsp;Çagla Tükel","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bacteria are known to produce amyloids, proteins characterized by a conserved cross-beta sheet structure, which exhibit structural and functional similarities to human amyloids. The deposition of human amyloids into fibrillar plaques within organs is closely linked to several debilitating human diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Recently, bacterial amyloids have garnered significant attention as potential initiators of human amyloid-associated diseases as well as autoimmune diseases.</p><p>This review aims to explore how bacterial amyloid, particularly curli found in gut biofilms, can act as a trigger for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. We will elucidate three primary mechanisms through which bacterial amyloids exert their influence:</p><ul><li><span>1.</span><span><p><em>Direct interaction with human amyloids:</em> Bacterial amyloids can directly interact with human amyloids, potentially accelerating the aggregation and deposition of amyloid fibrils associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This direct interaction may contribute to the pathological progression of these conditions.</p></span></li></ul><p></p><ul><li><span>2.</span><span><p><em>Induction of inflammation:</em> Bacterial amyloids have the capacity to induce inflammatory responses within the host organism. Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributor to neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. We will explore how the activation of inflammatory pathways and neuroinflammation by bacterial amyloids can exacerbate disease pathogenesis.</p></span></li></ul><ul><li><span>3.</span><span><p><em>Acting as a DNA carrier:</em> Bacterial amyloids may also serve as carriers of DNA, facilitating the activation of host DNA sensors. This mechanism can potentially lead to alterations in the host’s immune response and also contribute to the development of autoantibodies.</p></span></li></ul><p>By delving into these three distinct modes of action, this review will provide valuable insights into the intricate relationship between bacterial amyloids and the onset or progression of neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions and preventive strategies targeting amyloid-associated diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102473"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000493/pdfft?md5=2501ce70501d270568f5549ba94ac467&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000493-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140543971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histone code: a common language and multiple dialects to meet the different developmental requirements of apicomplexan parasites","authors":"Victoria Jeffers","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Apicomplexan parasites have complex life cycles, often requiring transmission between two different hosts, facing periods of dormancy within the host or in the environment to maximize chances of transmission. To support survival in these different conditions, tightly regulated and correctly timed gene expression is critical. The modification of histones and nucleosome composition makes a significant contribution to this regulation, and as eukaryotes, the fundamental mechanisms underlying this process in apicomplexans are similar to those in model eukaryotic organisms. However, single-celled intracellular parasites face unique challenges, and regulation of gene expression at the epigenetic level provides tight control for responses that must often be rapid and robust.</p><p>Here, we discuss the recent advances in understanding the dynamics of histone modifications across Apicomplexan life cycles and the molecular mechanisms that underlie epigenetic regulation of gene expression to promote parasite life cycle progression, dormancy, and transmission.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102472"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140533404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The intricate organizational strategy of nucleus-forming phages","authors":"Amy Prichard,&nbsp;Joe Pogliano","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nucleus-forming phages (chimalliviruses) encode numerous genes responsible for creating intricate structures for viral replication. Research on this newly appreciated family of phages has begun to reveal the mechanisms underlying the subcellular organization of the nucleus-based phage replication cycle. These discoveries include the structure of the phage nuclear shell, the identification of a membrane-bound early phage infection intermediate, the dynamic localization of phage RNA polymerases, the phylogeny and core genome of chimalliviruses, and the variation in replication mechanisms across diverse nucleus-forming phages. This research is being propelled forward through the application of fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy and the innovative use of new tools such as proximity labeling and RNA-targeting Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-Cas systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102457"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140533403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The type IVc pilus: just a Tad different","authors":"Gregory B Whitfield,&nbsp;Yves V Brun","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bacteria utilize type IV pili (T4P) to interact with their environment, where they facilitate processes including motility, adherence, and DNA uptake. T4P require multisubunit, membrane-spanning nanomachines for assembly. The tight adherence (Tad) pili are an Archaea-derived T4P subgroup whose machinery exhibits significant mechanistic and architectural differences from bacterial type IVa and IVb pili. Most Tad biosynthetic genes are encoded in a single locus that is widespread in bacteria due to facile acquisition via horizontal gene transfer. These loci experience extensive structural rearrangements, including the acquisition of novel regulatory or biosynthetic genes, which fine-tune their function. This has permitted their integration into many different bacterial lifestyles, including the <em>Caulobacter crescentus</em> cell cycle, <em>Myxococcus xanthus</em> predation, and numerous plant and mammalian pathogens and symbionts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102468"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000444/pdfft?md5=6a90712ed76dec20b12ea24efdd445b9&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000444-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140347489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulation of sexual commitment in malaria parasites — a complex affair","authors":"Till S Voss ,&nbsp;Nicolas MB Brancucci","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102469","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Malaria blood stage parasites commit to either one of two distinct cellular fates while developing within erythrocytes of their mammalian host: they either undergo another round of asexual replication or they differentiate into nonreplicative transmissible gametocytes. Depending on the state of infection, either path may support or impair the ultimate goal of human-to-human transmission via the mosquito vector. Malaria parasites therefore evolved strategies to control investments into asexual proliferation versus gametocyte formation. Recent work provided fascinating molecular insight into shared and unique mechanisms underlying the control and environmental modulation of sexual commitment in the two most widely studied malaria parasite species, <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> and <em>P. berghei</em>. With this review, we aim at placing these findings into a comparative mechanistic context.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102469"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000456/pdfft?md5=09982c2601b9412f6cd1c5659d1dc74d&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000456-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140343968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}