Latest Articles
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyToxoplasma GRA15 Activates the NF-κB Pathway through Interactions with TNF Receptor-Associated FactorsThe parasite Toxoplasma can cause birth defects and severe disease in immunosuppressed patients. Strain differences in pathogenicity exist, and these differences are due to polymorphic effector proteins that Toxoplasma secretes into the host cell to coopt host cell functions. The effector protein GRA15 of some Toxoplasma strains activates the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which plays an important...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyEndophytic Fungus Drives Nodulation and N2 Fixation Attributable to Specific Root ExudatesEndophytic fungi play an important role in balancing the ecosystem and boosting host growth; however, the underpinning mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we found that endophytic fungal colonization with P. liquidambaris significantly increased the productivity, nodulation, and N2 fixation of peanuts through the secretion of specific root exudates....
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyTargeting Mannitol Metabolism as an Alternative Antimicrobial Strategy Based on the Structure-Function Study of Mannitol-1-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Staphylococcus aureusDue to the shortage of effective antibiotics against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, new targets are urgently required to develop next-generation antibiotics. We investigated mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase of S. aureus USA300 (SaM1PDH), a key enzyme regulating intracellular...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyUnexpected Mutations in HIV-1 That Confer Resistance to the Tat Inhibitor Didehydro-Cortistatin ADidehydro-cortistatin A (dCA) is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat inhibitor that functions by selectively binding to the RNA binding domain of Tat. In addition to inhibiting viral replication, dCA can drive HIV-1 into a state of “deep latency” in which latent viruses are refractory to reactivation. Mousseau et al. (G. Mousseau, R. Aneja, M. A. Clementz, S.
![Structural Analysis of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein from <span class="named-content genus-species" id="named-content-1">Methanosarcina acetivorans</span>: Implications for CO<sub>2</sub> Capture by a Surface-Exposed [Fe<sub>4</sub>S<sub>4</sub>] Cluster](https://mbio.asm.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/externals/3c997ae1964dcacb10930c4f9fee4d31.jpg?itok=iqfyYM6r)
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyStructural Analysis of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans: Implications for CO2 Capture by a Surface-Exposed [Fe4S4] ClusterThis work reports the crystal structure of a previously uncharacterized Fe protein from a methanogenic organism, which provides important insights into the structural properties of the less-characterized, yet highly interesting archaeal nitrogenase enzymes. Moreover, the structure-derived implications for CO2 capture by a surface-exposed [Fe4S4] cluster point to the possibility of developing novel...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyDeletion of Plasmodium falciparum Protein RON3 Affects the Functional Translocation of Exported Proteins and Glucose UptakeThe malarial parasite within the erythrocyte is surrounded by two membranes. Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX) in the parasite vacuolar membrane critically transports proteins from the parasite to the erythrocytic cytosol and membrane to create protein infrastructure important for virulence. The components of PTEX are stored within the dense granule, which is secreted from the parasite during invasion. We now...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Extracellular Domain of the β2 Integrin β Subunit (CD18) Is Sufficient for Escherichia coli Hemolysin and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Leukotoxin Cytotoxic ActivityUrinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains are responsible for more than 80% of community-acquired urinary tract infections. Although we have known for nearly a century that severe infections stemming from urinary tract infections, including kidney or bloodstream infections are associated...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDifferential In Vitro Infection of Neural Cells by AstrovirusesEncephalitis remains a diagnostic conundrum in humans as over 50% of cases are managed without the identification of an etiology. Astroviruses have been detected from the central nervous system of mammals in association with disease, suggesting that this family of RNA viruses could be responsible for cases of some neurological diseases that are currently without an ascribed etiology. However, there are significant barriers to...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologySirtuin Inhibitors Are Broadly Antiviral against ArbovirusesArthropod-borne viruses are diverse pathogens and are associated with human disease. Through high-throughput drug screening, we found that sirtuin inhibitors are potently antiviral against diverse arboviruses, including flaviviruses such as West Nile virus, bunyaviruses such as Rift Valley fever virus, and alphaviruses such as chikungunya virus. Sirtuin inhibitors block infection of these viruses in multiple human cell types. Moreover,...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Hyperstabilizing Mutation in the Base of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Acts at Multiple Steps To Abrogate Viral EntryEbola virus is a medically relevant virus responsible for outbreaks of severe disease in western and central Africa, with mortality rates reaching as high as 90%. Despite considerable effort, there are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics or targeted interventions available, highlighting the need of development in this area. Host-cell invasion represents an attractive target for antivirals, and several drug candidates have been...