: Microbiology Articles
Review: Advances in bacterial promoter recognition and its control by factors that do not bind DNAEarly work identified two promoter regions, the −10 and −35 elements, that interact sequence specifically with bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). However, we now know that several additional promoter elements contact RNAP and influence transcription initiation. Furthermore, our picture of promoter control has evolved beyond one Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp507-519 |
Perspective: Microbial endemism: does phosphorus limitation enhance speciation?There is increasing evidence for the existence of unique ecosystems that are dominated by locally adapted microbiota which harbour distinct lineages and biological capabilities, much like the macrobiota of Darwin's Galapagos Islands. As a primary example of such a system, we highlight key discoveries from Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp559-564 |
Perspective: Ibis T5000: a universal biosensor approach for microbiologyWe describe a new technology, the Ibis T5000, for the identification of pathogens in clinical and environmental samples. The Ibis T5000 couples nucleic acid amplification to high-performance electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and base-composition analysis. The system enables the identification and quantification of a broad set Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp553-558 |
Review: Systems biology of persistent infection: tuberculosis as a case studyThe human immune response does an excellent job of clearing most of the pathogens that we encounter throughout our lives. However, some pathogens persist for the lifetime of the host. Despite many years of research, scientists have yet to determine the basis of persistence of Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp520-528 |
Review: Reprogrammed viruses as cancer therapeutics: targeted, armed and shieldedVirotherapy is currently undergoing a renaissance, based on our improved understanding of virus biology and genetics and our better knowledge of many different types of cancer. Viruses can be reprogrammed into oncolytic vectors by combining three types of modification: targeting, arming and shielding. Targeting introduces Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp529-540 |
Review: Viral infection and iron metabolismFundamental cellular operations, including DNA synthesis and the generation of ATP, require iron. Viruses hijack cells in order to replicate, and efficient replication needs an iron-replete host. Some viruses selectively infect iron-acquiring cells by binding to transferrin receptor 1 during cell entry. Other viruses alter Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp541-552 |
Research Highlight: Cellular microbiology: Collaring the pocketThe flagellar pocket (FP) of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, the cause of sleeping sickness, is an important organelle that is formed by the invagination of the plasma membrane and is sequestered in the cytoplasm of the posterior region of the cell. As well Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp498-499 |
Research Highlight: HIV: Do the flipThe reverse transcriptase (RT) of HIV is a remarkable protein. It can synthesize a complementary strand of DNA from viral RNA, it can bind to DNA–RNA hybrids and degrade RNA, and it can synthesize a complementary strand of DNA from DNA. Through these processes, viral Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp500-501 |
Research Highlight: Cellular microbiology: HO1 tips the balanceIn a recent issue of Cell Host and Microbe, two groups report that haem oxygenase 1 (HO1), an enzyme that has previously been scrutinized by scientists for its cytoprotective properties, has a role in modulating the progression of tuberculosis (TB) and the hepatic stage Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp501-501 |
Research Highlight: Antibiotics: Spot the differencePublishing in Chemistry & Biology Truman et al. have identified a single amino acid substitution in the active site of the protein Cep15, which is part of the glycopeptide antibiotic chloroeremomycin biosynthetic machinery in Amycolatopsis orientalis, that abolishes its catalytic activity. Reversing Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp498-499 |
Research Highlight: Evolution: What's on the menu?Our ability to break down different food substrates has evolved from interactions with the trillions of microorganisms that co-exist in our gut. But what evolutionary factors shape the diversity of gut microbial communities? Reporting in Science, Ley, Gordon and colleagues now provide us with Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp499-499 |
Research Highlight: Bacterial secretion: Structural snapshotThe chaperone–usher (CU) pathway is responsible for the secretion of cell-surface structures in Gram-negative bacteria, including the type 1 and P pili in pathogenic Escherichia coli. In a recent issue of Cell, researchers from the laboratories of Scott Hultgren, David Thanassi, Gabriel Waksman Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp497-497 |
Research Highlight: In BriefPhage biologyDistinct DNA exit and packaging portals in the virus Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirusZauberman, N.et al. PLoS Biol.6, e114 (2008)It had previously been assumed that in all icosahedral double-stranded DNA viruses, genome translocation — Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp498-498 |
Research Highlight: Biofilms: New hide-out for TB?A new study in Molecular Microbiology shows that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can form organized biofilms that harbour drug-tolerant cells and contain a mycolic-acid-rich extracellular matrix.The 'short' course of treatment for tuberculosis typically lasts 6–9 months. The reasons for this prolonged treatment regimen are Nature Reviews Microbiology, vol. 6 #7, pp500-500 |