Host-Microbe Biology
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyEfficient Inhibition of Human Papillomavirus Infection by L2 Minor Capsid-Derived LipopeptideHPV is a human oncogenic virus that causes a major public health problem worldwide, which is responsible for approximately 5% of total human cancers and almost all cases of cervical cancers. HPV capsid consists of two structure proteins, the major capsid L1 protein and the minor capsid L2 protein. While L2 plays critical roles during the viral life cycle, the molecular mechanism in viral entry remains elusive. Here, we performed fine...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRole of Toxoplasma gondii Chloroquine Resistance Transporter in Bradyzoite Viability and Digestive Vacuole MaintenanceIndividuals chronically infected with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii are at risk of experiencing reactivated disease that can result in progressive loss of vision. No effective treatments exist for chronic toxoplasmosis due in part to a poor understanding of the biology underlying chronic infection and a lack of well-validated potential targets. We show...
Author Reply | Host-Microbe BiologyReply to Wood and Lee, “Precedence for the Role of Indole with Pathogens”
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Gammaherpesvirus MicroRNA Targets EWSR1 (Ewing Sarcoma Breakpoint Region 1) In Vivo To Promote Latent Infection of Germinal Center B CellsGammaherpesviruses, including the human pathogens Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), directly contribute to the genesis of multiple types of malignancies. In vivo, these viruses infect B cells and manipulate B cell biology to establish lifelong infection. To accomplish this, gammaherpesviruses employ an array of gene products, including miRNAs, short noncoding RNAs that bind to and...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyCommon Variants in the Glycerol Kinase Gene Reduce Tuberculosis Drug EfficacyTB control is limited in part by the length of antibiotic treatment needed to prevent recurrent disease. To probe mechanisms underlying survival under antibiotic pressure, we performed a genetic screen for M. tuberculosis mutants with altered susceptibility to treatment using the mouse model of TB. We identified multiple genes involved in a range of functions which...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyPseudomonas aeruginosa Increases the Sensitivity of Biofilm-Grown Staphylococcus aureus to Membrane-Targeting Antiseptics and AntibioticsThe thick mucus in the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients predisposes them to frequent, polymicrobial respiratory infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently coisolated from the airways of individuals with CF, as well as from diabetic foot ulcers and other...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHepatitis C Virus Infection Induces Hepatic Expression of NF-κB-Inducing Kinase and Lipogenesis by Downregulating miR-122Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health problem. Infection often leads to severe liver injury that may progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. HCV coopts cellular machineries for propagation and triggers pathological processes in the liver. We previously identified a pivotal role of IKK-α in regulating cellular lipid metabolism and HCV assembly. In this study, we characterized NIK as...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDissecting the Gene Expression, Localization, Membrane Topology, and Function of the Plasmodium falciparum STEVOR Protein FamilyMalaria claims about half a million lives each year. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of the disease, uses proteins that are translocated to the surface of infected erythrocytes for immune evasion. To circumvent the detection of these gene products by the immune system, the parasite evolved a complex strategy that includes gene...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyEndogenous Retrovirus-Derived Long Noncoding RNA Enhances Innate Immune Responses via Derepressing RELA ExpressionEndogenous retroviruses are transposable genetic elements comprising 8% to 10% of the human and mouse genomes. Although most ERVs have been inactivated due to deleterious mutations, some are still transcribed. However, the biological functions of transcribed ERVs are largely unknown. Here, we identified a full-length ERV-derived lncRNA, designated lnc-EPAV, as a positive regulator of host innate immune responses. We found that silencing...
Opinion/Hypothesis | Host-Microbe BiologyOn the Emergence of Candida auris: Climate Change, Azoles, Swamps, and BirdsThe most enigmatic aspect of the rise of Candida auris as a human pathogen is that it emerged simultaneously on three continents, with each clade being genetically distinct. Although new pathogenic fungal species are described regularly, these are mostly species associated with single cases in individuals who are immunosuppressed.