Latest Articles
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceInterspecies Social Spreading: Interaction between Two Sessile Soil Bacteria Leads to Emergence of Surface MotilityThe wealth of studies on microbial communities has revealed the complexity and dynamics of the composition of communities in many ecological settings. Fewer studies probe the functional interactions of the community members. Function of the community as a whole may not be fully revealed by characterizing the individuals. In our two-species model community, we find an emergent trait resulting from the interaction of the soil bacteria...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyMolecular Characteristics of the Conserved Aspergillus nidulans Transcription Factor Mac1 and Its Functions in Response to Copper StarvationCopper is an essential cofactor of enzymes during a variety of biochemical processes. Therefore, Cu acquisition plays critical roles in cell survival and proliferation, especially during Cu starvation. Knowledge of the key motif(s) by which the low-Cu-responsive transcription factor Mac1 senses Cu is important for understanding how Cu uptake is controlled. Findings in this study demonstrated that the Cu fist motif, but not Cys-rich...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionA Translational Pharmacokinetic Rat Model of Cerebral Spinal Fluid and Plasma Concentrations of CefepimeThis study defines the transit of cefepime between plasma and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received cefepime intravenously. Plasma samples were obtained via a second dedicated intravenous catheter. CSF sampling occurred via an intracisternal catheter. Drug exposures and transfer from the plasma to the CSF during the first 24 h were calculated. The median CSF/blood percentage of penetration was 19...
Opinion/Hypothesis | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGene Expression Changes with Minor Effects on the Population Average Have Major Effects on the Occurrence of Cells with Extreme Protein ConcentrationsThe cell-to-cell heterogeneity in a bacterial population provides a rich response to environmental changes and robust survival of an isogenic population. Especially, the rare, extreme phenotypes can be important for survival under transient lethal conditions.
Resource Report | Molecular Biology and PhysiologysRNA Target Prediction Organizing Tool (SPOT) Integrates Computational and Experimental Data To Facilitate Functional Characterization of Bacterial Small RNAsSmall RNAs (sRNAs) regulate gene expression in diverse bacteria by interacting with mRNAs to change their structure, stability, or translation. Hundreds of sRNAs have been identified in bacteria, but characterization of their regulatory functions is limited by difficulty with sensitive and accurate identification of mRNA targets. Thus, new robust methods of bacterial sRNA target identification are in demand. Here, we describe our...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyDisruption of Apicoplast Biogenesis by Chemical Stabilization of an Imported Protein Evades the Delayed-Death Phenotype in Malaria ParasitesMalaria is a major cause of global childhood mortality. To sustain progress in disease control made in the last decade, new antimalarial therapies are needed to combat emerging drug resistance. Malaria parasites contain a relict chloroplast called the apicoplast, which harbors new targets for drug discovery. Unfortunately, some drugs targeting apicoplast pathways exhibit a delayed-death phenotype, which results in a slow onset-of-action...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionRepurposing Pilocarpine Hydrochloride for Treatment of Candida albicans InfectionsCandida albicans is the most common human fungal pathogen with an estimated crude mortality rate of 40%. The ability of the organism to switch from the yeast to hyphal form and produce biofilms are important virulence factors. C. albicans infections are combatted by the host immune system. However...
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyA Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Transcription Factor Involved in Sclerotial Development and Virulence on PeaWhite mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a destructive disease on important legume species such as soybean, dry bean, and pea. This study investigated expression levels of transcription factors in S. sclerotiorum in planta (pea lines) and in vitro (culture medium). One...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyGut Virome Analysis of Cameroonians Reveals High Diversity of Enteric Viruses, Including Potential Interspecies Transmitted VirusesDespite the availability of diagnostic tools for different enteric viral pathogens, a large fraction of human cases of gastroenteritis remains unexplained. This could be due to pathogens not tested for or novel divergent viruses of potential animal origin. Fecal virome analyses of Cameroonians showed a very diverse group of viruses, some of which are genetically related to those identified in animals. This is the first attempt to...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceWood-Derived Dietary Fibers Promote Beneficial Human Gut MicrobiotaThe architecture of the gut bacterial ecosystem has a profound effect on the physiology and well-being of the host. Modulation of the gut microbiota and the intestinal microenvironment via administration of prebiotics represents a valuable strategy to promote host health. This work provides insights into the ability of two novel wood-derived preparations, AcGGM and AcAGX, to influence human gut microbiota composition and activity. These...