Molecular Biology and Physiology
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyInhibition of Rho Activity Increases Expression of SaeRS-Dependent Virulence Factor Genes in Staphylococcus aureus, Showing a Link between Transcription Termination, Antibiotic Action, and Virulence
The major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is a widespread commensal bacterium but also the most common cause of nosocomial infections. It adapts to the different host niches through a complex gene regulatory network. We show here that the Rho transcription termination factor, which represses pervasive antisense transcription in various bacteria, including...
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyPhosphorylation and Proteasome Recognition of the mRNA-Binding Protein Cth2 Facilitates Yeast Adaptation to Iron Deficiency
Iron is a vital element for many metabolic pathways, including the synthesis of DNA and proteins, and the generation of energy via oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, living organisms have developed tightly controlled mechanisms to properly distribute iron, since imbalances lead to nutritional deficiencies, multiple diseases, and vulnerability against pathogens. ...
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyEpigenetic Regulation Alters Biofilm Architecture and Composition in Multiple Clinical Isolates of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Upper respiratory tract infections are the number one reason for a child to visit the emergency department, and otitis media (middle ear infection) ranks third overall. Biofilms contribute significantly to the chronic nature of bacterial respiratory tract infections, including otitis media, and make these diseases particularly difficult to treat. Several mucosa-associated human pathogens utilize a mechanism of rapid adaptation termed...
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyThe Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter Complex (MCUC) of Trypanosoma brucei Is a Hetero-oligomer That Contains Novel Subunits Essential for Ca2+ Uptake
Trypanosoma brucei causes human African trypanosomiasis and nagana in animals. The finding of a mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) conserved in this parasite was essential for the discovery of the gene encoding the pore subunit. Mitochondrial Ca2+ transport mediated by the MUC complex is critical in...
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyThe Pseudomonas aeruginosa Complement of Lactate Dehydrogenases Enables Use of d- and l-Lactate and Metabolic Cross-Feeding
Lactate is thought to serve as a carbon and energy source during chronic infections. Sites of bacterial colonization can contain two enantiomers of lactate: the l-form, generally produced by the host, and the d-form, which is usually produced by bacteria, including the pulmonary pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we...
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyTranscriptional Regulation Buffers Gene Dosage Effects on a Highly Expressed Operon in Salmonella
A feature of bacterial chromosomes is that highly expressed essential genes are usually located close to the origin of replication. Because bacteria have overlapping cycles of replication, genes located close to the origin will often be present in multiple copies, and this is thought to be of selective benefit where high levels of expression support high growth rate. However, the magnitude of this selective effect and whether other...