Molecular Biology and Physiology
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyProtein Interactomes of Streptococcus mutans YidC1 and YidC2 Membrane Protein Insertases Suggest SRP Pathway-Independent- and -Dependent Functions, RespectivelyStreptococcus mutans is a prevalent oral pathogen and major causative agent of tooth decay. Many proteins that enable this bacterium to thrive in its environmental niche and cause disease are embedded in its cytoplasmic membrane.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyChromatin-Associated Protein Complexes Link DNA Base J and Transcription Termination in LeishmaniaLeishmania parasites cause a variety of serious human diseases, with no effective vaccine and emerging resistance to current drug therapy. We have previously shown that a novel DNA base called J is critical for transcription termination at the ends of the polycistronic gene clusters that are a hallmark of Leishmania and related trypanosomatids.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGlucose-6-Phosphate Acts as an Extracellular Signal of SagS To Modulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa c-di-GMP Levels, Attachment, and Biofilm FormationPathogens sense and respond to signals and cues present in their environment, including host-derived small molecules to modulate the expression of their virulence repertoire. Here, we demonstrate that the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa responds to glucose-6-phosphate.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGlucan Unmasking Identifies Regulators of Temperature-Induced Translatome Reprogramming in C. neoformansCryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes devastating morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. It possesses several virulence factors that aid in its evasion from the host immune system, including a large polysaccharide capsule that cloaks the antigenic cell wall.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyEngineering a Cysteine-Deficient Functional Candida albicans Cdr1 Molecule Reveals a Conserved Region at the Cytosolic Apex of ABCG Transporters Important for Correct Folding and Trafficking of Cdr1Overexpression of the fungal pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporter Cdr1 is a major cause of antifungal drug resistance in Candida albicans, a significant fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals. To date, no structure for any PDR ABC transporter has been solved.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyAPEX2 Proximity Proteomics Resolves Flagellum Subdomains and Identifies Flagellum Tip-Specific Proteins in Trypanosoma bruceiSleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The disease disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, leading to coma and death if left untreated. T. brucei motility, transmission, and virulence depend on its flagellum (cilium), which consists of several...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyAbsence of KpsM (Slr0977) Impairs the Secretion of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) and Impacts Carbon Fluxes in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803Most cyanobacteria produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that fulfill different biological roles depending on the strain/environmental conditions. The interest in the cyanobacterial EPS synthesis/export pathways has been increasing, not only to optimize EPS production but also to efficiently redirect carbon flux toward the production of other compounds, allowing the implementation of industrial systems based on cyanobacterial...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySingle-Molecule Dynamics at a Bacterial Replication Fork after Nutritional Downshift or Chemically Induced Block in ReplicationAll cells need to adjust DNA replication, which is achieved by a well-orchestrated multiprotein complex, in response to changes in physiological and environmental conditions. For replication forks, it is extremely challenging to meet with conditions where amino acids are rapidly depleted from cells, called the stringent response, to deal with the inhibition of one of the centrally involved proteins or with DNA modifications that arrest...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyDeORFanizing Candida albicans Genes using CoexpressionCandida albicans is a common and deadly fungal pathogen of humans, yet the genome of this organism contains many genes of unknown function. By determining gene function, we can help identify essential genes, new virulence factors, or new regulators of drug resistance, and thereby give new targets for antifungal development.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyConvergent Evolution of a Promiscuous 3-Hydroxypropionyl-CoA Dehydratase/Crotonyl-CoA Hydratase in Crenarchaeota and ThaumarchaeotaInorganic carbon fixation is the most important biosynthetic process on Earth and the oldest type of metabolism. The autotrophic HP/HB cycle functions in Crenarchaea of the order Sulfolobales and in ammonia-oxidizing Archaea of the phylum Thaumarchaeota that are highly abundant in marine, terrestrial, and geothermal environments.