Escherichia coli
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceHigh-Throughput Analysis of Gene Function in the Bacterial Predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorusBdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory bacterium that can kill a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria, including many human pathogens. Given the global rise of antibiotic resistance and dearth of new antibiotics discovered in the past 30 years, this predator has potential as an alternative to traditional antibiotics. For many years,...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceDe Novo Emergence of Peptides That Confer Antibiotic ResistanceDe novo gene origination from nonfunctional DNA sequences was long assumed to be implausible. However, recent studies have shown that large fractions of genomic noncoding DNA are transcribed and translated, potentially generating new genes. Experimental validation of this process so far has been limited to comparative genomics, in vitro selections, or partial randomizations. Here, we describe selection of novel...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyThe Synthetic Phenotype of ΔbamB ΔbamE Double Mutants Results from a Lethal Jamming of the Bam Complex by the Lipoprotein RcsFProtein assembly into lipid bilayers is an essential process that ensures the viability of diverse organisms. In Gram-negative bacteria, the heteropentomeric β-barrel assembly machine (Bam) folds and inserts proteins into the outer membrane. Due to its essentiality, outer membrane protein (OMP) assembly by the Bam complex is an attractive target for antibiotic development. Here, we show that the conditional lethal phenotype of a mutant...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceDiversification of Colonization Factors in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Lineage Evolving under Negative Frequency-Dependent SelectionInfections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Escherichia coli are a significant global public health concern. To combat these pathogens, we need a deeper understanding of how they evolved from their background populations. By understanding the processes that underpin their emergence, we can design new strategies to limit evolution of new clones and combat...
Commentary | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyTwo Health or Not Two Health? That Is the QuestionHow much drug-resistant infections in livestock contribute to disease in humans is controversial. While zoonoses are a prominent cause of emerging infections, and the profligate use of antibiotics as growth promoters is expected to lead to the spread of resistance, this resistance could remain concentrated in animal pathogens and only rarely spill over into humans.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRespiratory Heterogeneity Shapes Biofilm Formation and Host Colonization in Uropathogenic Escherichia coliBiofilms are multicellular bacterial communities encased in a self-secreted extracellular matrix comprised of polysaccharides, proteinaceous fibers, and DNA. Organization of these components lends spatial organization in the biofilm community. Here we demonstrate that oxygen gradients in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) biofilms lead to spatially distinct...
Author Reply | Applied and Environmental ScienceReply to Mortazavi, “Acquired Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli Exposed to Simulated Microgravity: Possible Role of Other Space Stressors and Adaptive Responses”
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceChanges in Intrinsic Antibiotic Susceptibility during a Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coliResistance to antibiotics often evolves when bacteria encounter antibiotics. However, bacterial strains and species without any known exposure to these drugs also vary in their intrinsic susceptibility. In many cases, evolved resistance has been shown to be costly to the bacteria, such that resistant types have reduced competitiveness relative to their sensitive progenitors in the absence of antibiotics. In this study, we examined...
Commentary | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyChecks and Balances in Bacterial Cell DivisionAssembly of the division machinery in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria occurs in two time-dependent steps. First, the FtsZ proto-ring localizes at midcell including some FtsN molecules.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyPeptidoglycan Remodeling Enables Escherichia coli To Survive Severe Outer Membrane Assembly DefectIn Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane protects the cell against many toxic molecules, and the peptidoglycan layer provides protection against osmotic challenges, allowing bacterial cells to survive in changing environments. Maintaining cell envelope integrity is therefore a question of life or death for a bacterial cell. Here we show that Escherichia coli...