Pseudomonas
Observation | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyTumble Suppression Is a Conserved Feature of Swarming MotilityBacteria within a swarm move characteristically in packs, displaying an intricate swirling motion in which hundreds of dynamic rafts continuously form and dissociate as the swarm colonizes an increasing expanse of territory. The demonstrated property of E. coli to reduce its tumble bias and hence increase its run duration during swarming is expected to maintain and...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyComparative Genomics Identified a Genetic Locus in Plant-Associated Pseudomonas spp. That Is Necessary for Induced Systemic SusceptibilityMicrobiome-associated bacteria can have diverse effects on health of their hosts, yet the genetic and molecular bases of these effects have largely remained elusive. This work demonstrates that a novel bacterial locus can modulate systemic plant immunity. Additionally, this work demonstrates that growth-promoting strains may have unanticipated consequences for plant immunity, and this is critical to consider when the plant microbiome is...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceA Genus Definition for Bacteria and Archaea Based on a Standard Genome Relatedness IndexIn recent decades, the taxonomy of Bacteria and Archaea, and therefore genus designation, has been largely based on the use of a single ribosomal gene, the 16S rRNA gene, as a taxonomic marker. We propose an approach to delineate genera that excludes the direct use of the 16S rRNA gene and focuses on a standard genome relatedness index, the average nucleotide identity. Our findings are of importance to the microbiology...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRegulatory Mechanism of Nicotine Degradation in Pseudomonas putidaWe report the entire process underlying the NicR2 regulatory mechanism from association between free NicR2 and two promoters to dissociation of the NicR2-promoter complex. NicR2 can bind to another promoter, Pspm, which controls expression of nicotine-degrading genes that are not controlled by the Phsp promoter. We identified specific nucleotides of the Pspm promoter responsible for NicR2 binding. HSP was...
Opinion/Hypothesis | Host-Microbe BiologyIs the Potable Water System an Advantageous Preinfection Niche for Bacteria Colonizing the Cystic Fibrosis Lung?People with cystic fibrosis are susceptible to lung infections from a variety of bacteria, a number of which also reside in the potable water system, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Achromobacter...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyTemperature, by Controlling Growth Rate, Regulates CRISPR-Cas Activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosaP. aeruginosa is a soil dwelling bacterium and a plant pathogen, and it also causes life-threatening infections in humans. Thus, P. aeruginosa thrives in diverse environments and over a broad range of temperatures. Some P. aeruginosa...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Genome-Wide Screen Identifies Genes in Rhizosphere-Associated Pseudomonas Required to Evade Plant DefensesWhile rhizosphere bacteria hold the potential to improve plant health and fitness, little is known about the bacterial genes required to evade host immunity. Using a model system consisting of Arabidopsis and a beneficial Pseudomonas sp. isolate, we identified bacterial genes required for both rhizosphere fitness and for evading host immune responses. This work advances our understanding of how evasion of host defenses...
Commentary | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyWho's Your DadA? d-Alanine Levels Regulate Bacterial StiffnessA central question in mechanobiology is how cellular-scale structures are established and regulated. In bacteria, the cell envelope is essential for mechanical integrity, protecting against environmental stresses and bearing the load from high turgor pressures.
- Research ArticleMetagenomes Reveal Global Distribution of Bacterial Steroid Catabolism in Natural, Engineered, and Host Environments
Microbial steroid degradation is a critical process for biomass decomposition in natural environments, for removal of important pollutants during wastewater treatment, and for pathogenesis of bacteria associated with tuberculosis and other bacteria. To date, microbial steroid degradation was mainly studied in a few model organisms, while the ecological significance of steroid degradation remained largely unexplored. This study provides...