Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Lst Sialyltransferase of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Can Transfer Keto-Deoxyoctanoate as the Terminal Sugar of Lipooligosaccharide: a Glyco-Achilles Heel That Provides a New Strategy for Vaccines to Prevent Gonorrhea...The emergence of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains that are resistant to available antimicrobials is a current health emergency, and no vaccine is available to prevent gonococcal infection. Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is one of the major virulence factors of N. gonorrhoeae.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Transcription Factor Pdr802 Regulates Titan Cell Formation and Pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformansThe pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans presents a worldwide threat to human health, especially in the context of immunocompromise, and current antifungal therapy is hindered by cost, limited availability, and inadequate efficacy. After the infectious particle is inhaled, C. neoformans...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyChitosan and Chitin Deacetylase Activity Are Necessary for Development and Virulence of Ustilago maydisThe basidiomycete Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in maize, causing substantial losses in world corn production. This nonobligate pathogen penetrates the plant cell wall with the help of appressoria and then establishes an extensive biotrophic interaction, where the hyphae are tightly encased by the plant plasma membrane.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyROP16-Mediated Activation of STAT6 Suppresses Host Cell Reactive Oxygen Species Production, Facilitating Type III Toxoplasma gondii Growth and SurvivalToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects up to one-third of the world’s population. Control of the parasite is largely accomplished by IFN-γ-dependent mechanisms that stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyMycobacterium tuberculosis Toxin CpnT Is an ESX-5 Substrate and Requires Three Type VII Secretion Systems for Intracellular SecretionCpnT, a NAD+ glycohydrolase, is the only known toxin that is secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CpnT is composed of two domains; the C-terminal domain is the toxin, whereas the N-terminal domain is required for secretion.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyContributions of the Four Essential Entry Glycoproteins to HSV-1 Tropism and the Selection of Entry RoutesHerpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) contain up to 16 different proteins in their envelopes. Four of these, glycoproteins gB, gD, gH, and gL, are termed essential with regard to entry, whereas the rest are typically referred to as nonessential based on the entry phenotypes of the respective single genetic deletions.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyElucidating the Antiviral Mechanism of Different MARCH FactorsThis study examines the mechanism utilized by different MARCH proteins to restrict retrovirus infection. MARCH proteins block the incorporation of envelope glycoproteins to the budding virions.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyFusobacterium nucleatum Secretes Outer Membrane Vesicles and Promotes Intestinal InflammationSeveral studies have identified an increased abundance of Fusobacterium in the intestinal tracts of patients with colon cancer, liver cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, HIV infection, and alcoholism. However, the direct mechanism(s) of action of Fusobacterium on pathophysiological within the gastrointestinal tract is unclear.
Editor's Pick Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyWhat Is the Price of Science?The peer-reviewed scientific literature is the bedrock of science. However, scientific publishing is undergoing dramatic changes, which include the expansion of open access, an increased number of for-profit publication houses, and ready availability of preprint manuscripts that have not been peer reviewed. In this opinion article, we discuss the inequities and concerns that these changes have wrought.
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyUnraveling the Impact of Secreted Proteases on Hypervirulence in Staphylococcus aureusA key feature of the pathogenic success of S. aureus is the myriad virulence factors encoded within its genome. These are subject to multifactorial control, ensuring their timely production only within an intended infectious niche.