Latest Articles
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDaily Vaginal Microbiota Fluctuations Associated with Natural Hormonal Cycle, Contraceptives, Diet, and ExerciseThe vaginal microbiome is a critical component of women’s sexual and reproductive health, with variations in microbial composition, particularly the loss of Lactobacillus species, being implicated in gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Given that the vaginal microbiome is so crucial, why do vaginal microbial profiles vary strikingly from person to person and even change over time within the same person? In the present study,...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Translating Gut Microbiome Studies To Benefit Human HealthAnna M. Seekatz works in the field of the gut microbiome as it related to infectious diseases. In this “mSphere of Influence” article, she reflects on how two studies, “The impact of a consortium of fermented milk strains on the gut microbiome of gnotobiotic mice and monozygotic twins” (N. P. McNulty, T. Yatsunenko, A. Hsiao, et al., Sci Transl Med 3:106ra106, 2011) and “High-throughput DNA sequence analysis reveals stable engraftment...
Commentary | Molecular Biology and PhysiologymSphere of Influence: Communication Is Complicated—Just Ask a Bacterial CellPaola Mera works in the field of bacterial developmental biology. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper “MipZ, a spatial regulator coordinating chromosome segregation with cell division in Caulobacter” by Martin Thanbichler and Lucy Shapiro (Cell 126:147–162, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2006.05.038) made an impact on her journey...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySho1p Connects Glycolysis to Ras1-cAMP Signaling and Is Required for Microcolony Formation in Candida albicansC. albicans microcolonies form extensive hyphal structures that enhance surface adherence and penetrate underlying tissues to promote fungal infections. This study examined the environmental conditions that promote microcolony formation and how these signals are relayed, in order to disrupt signaling and reduce pathogenesis. We found that a membrane-localized protein...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceA Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for Streptococcus mutansStreptococcus mutans is regarded as a major pathogen responsible for the onset of dental caries. S. mutans can transmit among people, especially within families. In this study, we established a new epidemiological approach to S. mutans...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceGlobally Abundant “Candidatus Udaeobacter” Benefits from Release of Antibiotics in Soil and Potentially Performs Trace Gas ScavengingSoil bacteria have been investigated for more than a century, but one of the most dominant terrestrial groups on Earth, “Candidatus Udaeobacter,” remains elusive and largely unexplored. Its natural habitat is considered a major reservoir of antibiotics, which directly or indirectly impact phylogenetically diverse microorganisms. Here, we found that “Ca. Udaeobacter” representatives exhibit multidrug resistance and not...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Genotoxin Colibactin Shapes Gut Microbiota in MiceInfections of genotoxic Escherichia coli spread concomitantly with urbanized progression. These bacteria may prompt cell senescence and affect DNA stability, inducing cancer via the production of colibactin, a genotoxin shown capable of affecting host DNA in eukaryotic cells. In this study, we show that the action of colibactin may also be directed against other...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyPhylogeographical Analyses and Antibiotic Resistance Genes of Acinetobacter johnsonii Highlight Its Clinical RelevanceAcinetobacter johnsonii has been severely understudied and its population structure and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are very much uncertain. Our phylogeographical analysis shows that intercontinental transmission has occurred frequently and that different lineages are circulating within single countries; notably, clinical and nonclinical strains...
Opinion/Hypothesis | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRNAs That Behave Like PrionsThe term “prion” was originally coined to describe the proteinaceous infectious agents involved in mammalian neurological disorders. More recently, a prion has been defined as a nonchromosomal, protein-based genetic element that is capable of converting the copies of its own benign variant into the prion form, with the new phenotypic effects that can be transmitted through the cytoplasm. Some prions are toxic to the cell, are able to...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Microbiome-Associated Phenotypes Are ModifiableMichael Woodworth focuses on translational microbiome therapeutic research. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how “Gut microbiomes of Malawian twin pairs discordant for kwashiorkor” by Michelle Smith et al. (M. I. Smith, T. Yatsunenko, M. J. Manary, I. Trehan, et al., Science 339:548–554, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1229000) made an impact on him...