{"title":"Rare taxa in the core microbiome.","authors":"Ditam Chakraborty, Alexandre Jousset, Zhong Wei, Samiran Banerjee","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rare taxa are an important constituent of the microbiome and play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. However, little is known about rare taxa within the core microbiome (i.e., core rare taxa), nor do we understand the factors that drive their distribution and occupancy in ecosystems. In this opinion article, we define and explore the role of core rare taxa and the ecological and genetic drivers of their persistence. We also discuss 'innate' and 'adaptive' resilience in relation to core rare taxa and their drivers. Finally, we emphasize the need to develop appropriate metrics to quantify core rare taxa and their functions, as this can have significant implications for biodiversity conservation and microbiome engineering in the long run.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143743696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digging deep: microbial PFAS-degradation in landfill sediments.","authors":"E W Omagamre, G F Custer","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are detrimental to human and environmental health. Here, we discuss obstacles hindering PFAS biodegradation, addressing challenges from chemical and microbial ecotoxicological perspectives. We then highlight the unique eco-evolutionary landscapes of buried landfills and consider the importance of these underexplored xeno-ecological niches for promoting PFAS biodegradation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143711409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Providencia stuartii.","authors":"Sandra Witteveen, Antoni P A Hendrickx","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miguel A Matilla, José A Gavira, Elizabet Monteagudo-Cascales, Igor B Zhulin, Tino Krell
{"title":"Structural and functional diversity of sensor domains in bacterial transmembrane receptors.","authors":"Miguel A Matilla, José A Gavira, Elizabet Monteagudo-Cascales, Igor B Zhulin, Tino Krell","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ability of bacteria to adapt to changing environmental conditions largely depends on transmembrane receptors that sense signal molecules and generate responses such as chemotaxis, changes in gene expression, or alterations in second-messenger levels. Although these receptors differ significantly in function, they share a common mode of activation that involves signal molecule interaction with sensor domains. A major challenge in microbiology lies in the limited knowledge of ligands that stimulate receptors. Here, we review recent advances in this field, including the occurrence of multi-modular sensor domains, the identification of co-component signal transduction systems, evidence for sensor domain evolution from transporters, and the use of binding pocket sequence motifs to identify sensor domain ligands.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bacterial galvanotaxis: a neglected biological process.","authors":"Yaohui Sun, Min Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacterial galvanotaxis, the directed migration in response to electric fields, remains an understudied yet intriguing phenomenon. This forum explores its history, independence from chemotaxis, and role in Salmonella targeting the follicle-associated epithelium. We also highlight potential implications in chronic diseases, where disrupted bioelectric fields may promote bacterial invasion and pathogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143658684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alfredo Chavez-Arroyo, Lauren C Radlinski, Andreas J Bäumler
{"title":"Principles of gut microbiota assembly.","authors":"Alfredo Chavez-Arroyo, Lauren C Radlinski, Andreas J Bäumler","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The gut microbiota plays a critical role in human health, yet its taxonomic complexity, interpersonal variability, and resistance to change in adulthood present challenges for understanding the factors driving shifts in its composition and function. Here, we propose a hierarchy of ecological factors governing gut microbiota assembly, stability, and resilience. At the apex of this hierarchy is habitat filtering by host-derived electron acceptors, which dictates the ecological guilds that dominate distinct gut regions. Host dietary behavior shapes niche availability within these ecological guilds by regulating nutrient availability. Priority effects preserve taxonomic stability whereas microbial antagonism governs competition for open ecological positions. This framework highlights how host control over microbial energy metabolism directs microbiota self-assembly and maintains gut homeostasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Post-transcriptional regulation in archaea.","authors":"Jie Li, Yueting Liang, Xiuzhu Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During genetic information transfer from DNA to protein, gene expression is strictly controlled at several key stages. Post-transcriptional regulation provides a plethora of mechanisms for precise and rapid control of gene expression, ensuring cellular survival and environmental adaptation. Emerging evidence shows that Archaea, the third domain of life, employ diverse post-transcriptional regulation strategies, including distinct RNA-associated proteins and small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs), to control gene expression. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding archaeal post-transcriptional regulation, focusing on processes, mechanisms, and physiological significances, and key elements including sRNAs, 5'- or 3'-untranslated regions (5'-UTRs or 3'-UTRs), RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or chaperones, and ribonucleases, underscoring their crucial roles in optimizing archaeal gene expression for survival and environmental responsiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in MicrobiologyPub Date : 2025-03-01Epub Date: 2025-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.012
Kelsie M Nauta, Nicholas O Burton
{"title":"H<sub>2</sub>S regulation of a host-microbe interaction.","authors":"Kelsie M Nauta, Nicholas O Burton","doi":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tim.2025.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is often difficult to identify the molecular mechanisms that underlie interactions between species. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system,Patange et al. recently demonstrated that H<sub>2</sub>S mediates interactions between C. elegans and Actinobacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":23275,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":"258-259"},"PeriodicalIF":14.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143366063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}