Latest Articles
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAlteration of the Premature tRNA Landscape by Gammaherpesvirus Infection
Viral infection can dramatically change the gene expression landscape of the host cell, yet little is known regarding changes in noncoding gene transcription by RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII). Among these are transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which are fundamental in protein translation, yet whose gene regulatory features remain largely undefined in mammalian cells.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNitric Oxide Circumvents Virus-Mediated Metabolic Regulation during Human Cytomegalovirus Infection
Human cytomegalovirus is a prevalent pathogen that can cause serious disease in patients with compromised immune systems, including transplant patients and during congenital infection. HCMV lytic replication likely occurs in localized sites of infection with immune cells infiltrating and releasing nitric oxide with other effector molecules.
- Perspective | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRestoring Balance to the Outer Membrane: YejM’s Role in LPS Regulation
Gram-negative bacteria produce an asymmetric outer membrane (OM) that is particularly impermeant to many antibiotics and characterized by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exclusively at the cell surface. LPS biogenesis remains an ideal target for therapeutic intervention, as disruption could kill bacteria or increase sensitivity to existing antibiotics.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNeonatal Mouse Gut Metabolites Influence Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Cryptosporidium sp. occupies a unique intracellular niche that exposes the parasite to both host cell contents and the intestinal lumen, including metabolites from the diet and produced by the microbiota. Both dietary and microbial products change over the course of early development and could contribute to the changes seen in susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis in humans and mice.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIntracellular Staphylococcus aureus Perturbs the Host Cell Ca2+ Homeostasis To Promote Cell Death
Despite being regarded as an extracellular bacterium, the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can invade and survive within human cells. The intracellular niche is considered a hideout from the host immune system and antibiotic treatment and allows bacterial proliferation.
- Opinion/Hypothesis | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyOn the Origin of Candida auris: Ancestor, Environmental Stresses, and Antiseptics
Candida auris has emerged as a serious threat to the health care settings. Advancements in molecular biology have provided several insights into the evolution of C. auris since it was first described in 2009.
- Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionH1 Hemagglutinin Priming Provides Long-Lasting Heterosubtypic Immunity against H5N1 Challenge in the Mouse Model
Current studies point out that an HA-mediated immunological imprint is established early in life during the first exposure to influenza viruses, which critically shapes and biases future immune responses. However, these findings have not been confirmed in animal models, and the precise mechanisms of this phenomenon are not clearly understood.
- Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyRecombinant ACE2 Expression Is Required for SARS-CoV-2 To Infect Primary Human Endothelial Cells and Induce Inflammatory and Procoagulative Responses
SARS-CoV-2 infects pulmonary epithelial cells through ACE2 receptors and causes ARDS. COVID-19 causes progressive respiratory failure resulting from diffuse alveolar damage and systemic coagulopathy, thrombosis, and capillary inflammation that tie alveolar responses to EC dysfunction.
- Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionStapled Peptides Based on Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Potently Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus with many unknowns. No vaccine or specific therapy is available yet to prevent and treat this deadly virus.
- Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyEssential Role for FtsL in Activation of Septal Peptidoglycan Synthesis
A critical step in bacterial cytokinesis is the activation of septal peptidoglycan synthesis at the Z ring. Although FtsN is the trigger and acts through FtsQLB and FtsA to activate FtsWI the mechanism is unclear.