Latest Articles
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRectal and Naris Swabs: Practical and Informative Samples for Analyzing the Microbiota of Critically Ill PatientsPerturbation of the microbiome has been correlated with various infectious and inflammatory diseases and is common in critically ill patients. Stool is typically used to sample the microbiota in human observational studies; however, it is often unavailable for collection from critically ill patients, reducing its utility as a sample type to study this population. Our research identified alternatives to stool for sampling the microbiota...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySystematic Identification, Characterization, and Conservation of Adjacent-Gene Coregulation in the Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiaeThe spatial positioning of genes throughout the genome arrangement can alter their expression in many eukaryotic organisms. Often this results in a genomic context-specific effect on transcription. One example of this is through the clustering of functionally related genes, which results in adjacent-gene coregulation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTwo Distinct Approaches for CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing in Cryptococcus neoformans and Related SpeciesFor genetic studies of the Cryptococcus genus, generation of mutant strains is often hampered by a limited number of selectable genetic markers, the tedious process of vector construction, side effects, and other limitations, such as the high cost of acquiring a particle delivery system. CRISPR-Cas9 technology has been demonstrated in Cryptococcus for genome editing. However, it remains labor-intensive and time-...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary SciencePotential Mechanism of Detoxification of Cyanide Compounds by Gut Microbiomes of Bamboo-Eating PandasThe giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens), two obligate bamboo feeders, have distinct phylogenetic positions in the order Carnivora. Bamboo is extraordinarily rich in plant secondary metabolites, such as allied phenolic and polyphenolic compounds and even toxic cyanide...
Resource Report | Therapeutics and PreventionDevelopment, Interlaboratory Evaluations, and Application of a Simple, High-Throughput Shigella Serum Bactericidal AssayShigella is an important cause of diarrhea worldwide, and efforts are ongoing to produce a safe and effective Shigella vaccine. Although a clear immune correlate of protection has not been established, antibodies with bactericidal capacity may provide one means of protecting against shigellosis. Thus, it is important to measure the functional capacity of antibodies, as opposed to only binding activity. This article...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyProteins Potentially Involved in Immune Evasion Strategies in Sporothrix brasiliensis Elucidated by Ultra-High-Resolution Mass SpectrometrySporotrichosis is an important disease in Brazil that is caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix and affects cats and humans. Our work investigated the proteins differentially expressed by S. brasiliensis in order to find out why this species is more virulent and pathogenic than S. schenckii...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyUltrasensitive Capture of Human Herpes Simplex Virus Genomes Directly from Clinical Samples Reveals Extraordinarily Limited Evolution in Cell CultureHerpes simplex viruses affect more than 4 billion people across the globe, constituting a large burden of disease. Understanding the global diversity of herpes simplex viruses is important for diagnostics and therapeutics as well as cure research and tracking transmission among humans. To date, most HSV genomics has been performed on culture isolates and DNA swabs with high quantities of virus. We describe the development of wet-lab and...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceThe Unique Phylogenetic Position of a Novel Tick-Borne Phlebovirus Ensures an Ixodid Origin of the Genus PhlebovirusThe emergence of novel tick-borne RNA viruses causing severe illness in humans has complicated the epidemiological landscape of tick-borne diseases, requiring further investigation to safeguard public health. In the present study, we discovered a novel tick-borne phlebovirus from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. While its viral RNA genome sequences were similar to...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyKinome Expansion in the Fusarium oxysporum Species Complex Driven by Accessory ChromosomesIsolates of Fusarium oxysporum are adapted to survive a wide range of host and nonhost conditions. In addition, F. oxysporum was recently recognized as the top emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen infecting immunocompromised humans. The sensory and response networks of these fungi undoubtedly play...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyHsp90 Is Essential for Chl1-Mediated Chromosome Segregation and Sister Chromatid CohesionRecently, Hsp90 functional loss has been linked to aneuploidy; however, until now none of the components of sister chromatid cohesion (SCC) have been demonstrated as the putative clients of Hsp90. In this study, we have established that Chl1, the protein which is involved in maintaining sister chromatid cohesion as well as in preventing chromosome loss, is a direct client of Hsp90. Thus, with understanding of the molecular mechanism,...