Latest Articles
Commentary | Molecular Biology and PhysiologymSphere of Influence: the Power of Yeast Genetics Still Going Strong!Felipe Santiago-Tirado studies the cell biology of cryptococcal infections.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyComparative Genomics Reveals a Well-Conserved Intrinsic Resistome in the Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Pathogen Cupriavidus gilardiiCupriavidus gilardii is a bacterium that is gaining increasing attention both as an infectious agent and because of its potential use in the detoxification of toxic compounds and other biotechnological applications. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing number of reported infections, some of them fatal, caused by...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionDesigned Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) Neutralizers of TcdB from Clostridium difficile Ribotype 027We report the engineering and characterization of designed ankyrin proteins as potent neutralizers of TcdB toxin secreted by a hypervirulent ribotype 027 strain of Clostridium difficile. We further show that although TcdB toxins from both ribotype 027 and VPI 10461 interact efficiently with TcdB receptors CSPG4 and Pvrl3, TcdB027 lacks significant ability...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification and Classification of Hubs in microRNA Target Gene Networks in Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells following Japanese Encephalitis Virus InfectionJEV damages the neural stem/progenitor cell population of the mammalian brain. However, JEV-induced alteration in the miRNA expression pattern of the cell population remains an open question, hence warranting our present study. In this study, we specifically address the downregulation of four miRNAs, and we prepared a protein-protein interaction network of miRNA target genes. We identified two types of hub genes in the PPI network,...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyPacBio Amplicon Sequencing Method To Measure Pilin Antigenic Variation Frequencies of Neisseria gonorrhoeaeDiversity generation systems are used by many unicellular organism to provide subpopulations of cell with different properties that are available when needed. We have developed a method using the PacBio DNA sequencing technology and a custom computer program to analyze the pilin antigenic variation system of the organism that is the sole cause of the sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhea.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Polyamine Spermidine Modulates the Production of the Bacterial Genotoxin ColibactinColibactin-producing Escherichia coli strains are associated with cancerous and precancerous colorectal tissues and are suspected of promoting colorectal carcinogenesis. In this study, we describe a new interplay between the synthesis of the genotoxin colibactin and the polyamine spermidine. Polyamines are highly abundant in cancer tissue and are associated with cell...
Commentary | Ecological and Evolutionary SciencemSphere of Influence: the Wild Genetic Diversity of Our Closest Yeast CompanionsDouda Bensasson uses the population genomics of model yeast species to understand how wild yeast colonize new environments, such as humans or their food. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the discovery of “Surprisingly diverged populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in natural environments remote from human activity” (Q.-M. Wang, W.-Q. Liu, G...
Commentary | Therapeutics and PreventionmSphere of Influence: Uncovering New Ways To Control Multidrug Resistance by Dissecting Essential Cell ProcessesAna L. Flores-Mireles works in the fields of microbial pathogenesis and development of new therapeutics. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the papers “Bacterial cell wall biogenesis is mediated by SEDS and PBP polymerase families functioning semi-autonomously” by H.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyBiological Diagnosis of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: a Nine-Year Retrospective Observational StudyOcular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive Toxoplasma gondii strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceIdentification of a Polyketide Synthase Gene Responsible for Ascochitine Biosynthesis in Ascochyta fabae and Its Abrogation in Sister TaxaFungi produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites, many of which are of pharmacological importance whereas many others are noted for mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and citrinin, that can threaten human and animal health. The polyketide-derived compound ascochitine, which is structurally similar to citrinin mycotoxin, has been considered to be important for pathogenicity of legume-associated Ascochyta species. Here, we...