Latest Articles
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceComparative Analysis of AbaR-Type Genomic Islands Reveals Distinct Patterns of Genetic Features in Elements with Different BackbonesAbaR-type genomic islands (AbaRs) are well-known elements that can cause antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. These elements contain diverse and complex genetic configurations involving different but related backbones with acquisition of diverse mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance genes. Understanding their structural diversity is far...
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyHorizontal Gene Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance from Acinetobacter baylyi to Escherichia coli on Lettuce and Subsequent Antibiotic Resistance Transmission to the Gut MicrobiomePrevious efforts have correlated antibiotic-fed livestock and meat products with respective antibiotic resistance genes, but virtually no research has been conducted on the transmission of antibiotic resistance from plant foods to the mammalian gut (C. S. Hölzel, J. L. Tetens, and K. Schwaiger, Pathog Dis 15:671–688, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2018.2501; C. M. Liu et al., mBio 9...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceThe Preservative Sorbic Acid Targets Respiration, Explaining the Resistance of Fermentative Spoilage Yeast SpeciesSpoilage by yeasts and molds is a major contributor to food and drink waste, which undermines food security. Weak acid preservatives like sorbic acid help to stop spoilage, but some yeasts, commonly associated with spoilage, are resistant to sorbic acid. Different yeasts generate energy for growth by the processes of respiration and/or fermentation. Here, we show that sorbic acid targets the process of respiration, so fermenting yeasts...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceTemporal Variability and Ecological Interactions of Parasitic Marine Syndiniales in Coastal Protist CommunitiesProtist parasites in the marine alveolate group, Syndiniales, have been observed within infected plankton host cells for decades, and recently, global-scale efforts (Tara Ocean exploration) have confirmed their importance within microbial communities. Yet, protist parasites remain enigmatic, particularly with respect to their temporal dynamics and parasite-host interactions. We employed weekly 18S amplicon surveys over a full year in a...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyPersistent Asymptomatic Human Infections by Salmonella enterica Serovar Newport in ChinaHuman infections caused by Salmonella Newport generally lead to gastrointestinal diseases. These infections are normally self-limiting; however, in certain cases, broad-spectrum antimicrobials are prescribed for the treatment. The Chinese National Foodborne Disease Surveillance Network has reported a gradual increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant S. Newport infections in humans. After careful evaluation of...
Editor's Pick Opinion/Hypothesis | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceTo Dereplicate or Not To Dereplicate?Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) expand our understanding of microbial diversity, evolution, and ecology. Concerns have been raised on how sequencing, assembly, binning, and quality assessment tools may result in MAGs that do not reflect single populations in nature. Here, we reflect on another issue, i.e., how to handle highly similar MAGs assembled from independent data sets. Obtaining multiple genomic representatives for a species...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceTemporal, Environmental, and Biological Drivers of the Mucosal Microbiome in a Wild Marine Fish, Scomber japonicusPacific chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, are one of the largest and most economically important fisheries in the world. The fish is harvested for both human consumption and fish meal. Changing ocean conditions driven by anthropogenic stressors like climate change may negatively impact fisheries. One mechanism for this is through disease. As waters warm and chemistry changes, the microbial communities associated with fish may...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceModelling Free-Living and Particle-Associated Bacterial Assemblages across the Deep and Hypoxic Lower St. Lawrence EstuaryThe Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL) in eastern Canada is an appealing ecosystem for studying how microbial communities and metabolic processes are related to environmental change. Ocean and climate variability result in large spatiotemporal variations in environmental conditions and oceanographic processes. The EGSL is also exposed to a variety of additional human pressures that threaten its integrity and sustainable use,...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRocA Regulates Phosphatase Activity of Virulence Sensor CovS of Group A Streptococcus in Growth Phase- and pH-Dependent MannersThe emergence of invasive group A streptococcal infections has been reported worldwide. Clinical isolates that have spontaneous mutations or a truncated allele of the rocA gene (e.g., emm3-type isolates) are considered to be more virulent than isolates with the intact rocA gene (e.g., emm1-type isolates). RocA is a positive regulator of covR and has been shown to enhance the phosphorylation...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyGenomewide Stabilization of mRNA during a “Feast-to-Famine” Growth Transition in Escherichia coliThe ability to rapidly respond to changing nutrients is crucial for E. coli to survive in many environments, including the gut. Reorganization of gene expression is the first step used by bacteria to adjust their metabolism accordingly. It involves fine-tuning of both transcription (transcriptional regulation) and mRNA stability (posttranscriptional regulation). While...