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| Open AccessMolecular basis of bacterial DSR2 anti-phage defense and viral immune evasion
The defense-associated sirtuin 2 (DSR2) system protects bacteria from phages by depleting NAD+. Here, authors elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying DSR2 assembly, activation, and inhibition, providing important insights into bacterial anti-phage defense.
- Jiafeng Huang
- , Keli Zhu
- & Ang Gao
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Article
| Open AccessThree concurrent mechanisms generate gene copy number variation and transient antibiotic heteroresistance
Bacterial heteroresistance is a medically relevant phenotype where small antibiotic-resistant subpopulations coexist within predominantly susceptible bacterial populations. Here, Nicoloff et al. describe how three different mechanisms that increase the copy number of resistance genes can lead to unstable and transient heteroresistance.
- Hervé Nicoloff
- , Karin Hjort
- & Helen Wang
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Article
| Open AccessRapid expansion and international spread of M1UK in the post-pandemic UK upsurge of Streptococcus pyogenes
Exponential growth of toxigenic Streptococcus pyogenes M1UK lineage accounted for most of the 2022/2023 invasive infection upsurge in the UK. Authors provide evidence that M1UK first emerged in 2008, has genetic evidence of enhanced fitness, and has disseminated to 3 continents.
- Ana Vieira
- , Yu Wan
- & Shiranee Sriskandan
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Article
| Open AccessMultimodal binding and inhibition of bacterial ribosomes by the antimicrobial peptides Api137 and Api88
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) inhibit bacterial protein biosynthesis. Here, the authors show that the honey-bee derived PrAMPs Api137 and Api88 inhibit bacterial ribosomes through multiple mechanisms, promising for drug development.
- Simon M. Lauer
- , Maren Reepmeyer
- & Ralf Hoffmann
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Article
| Open AccessAssessment of three antibiotic combination regimens against Gram-negative bacteria causing neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries
High levels of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase encoding genes were detected in bacterial isolates causing neonatal sepsis in LMICs. Authors assess the in vitro activity of three antibiotics (fosfomycin, flomoxef and amikacin) in combination against ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates.
- Biljana Kakaraskoska Boceska
- , Tuba Vilken
- & Herman Goossens
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Article
| Open AccessHerpes simplex encephalitis due to a mutation in an E3 ubiquitin ligase
Encephalitis is a rare and severe complication of Herpes Simplex type 1 infection. Here, Bibert et al describe a genetic variant in a 2-year-old affected child that impairs interferon production in neuronal cells and enhances viral replication.
- Stéphanie Bibert
- , Mathieu Quinodoz
- & Pierre-Yves Bochud
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Article
| Open AccessUnveiling the A-to-I mRNA editing machinery and its regulation and evolution in fungi
A-to-I editing in animals is catalyzed by enzymes of the Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA family, orthologues of which do not exist in fungi. Here, Feng et al. characterise the enzymes involved in A-to-I mRNA editing in Fusarium graminearum.
- Chanjing Feng
- , Kaiyun Xin
- & Huiquan Liu
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Article
| Open AccessA genetically encoded biosensor to monitor dynamic changes of c-di-GMP with high temporal resolution
The ubiquitous second messenger c-di-GMP regulates many biological processes in bacteria, including cell cycle, motility, virulence and biofilm formation. Here, Kaczmarczyk et al. develop a c-di-GMP biosensor that enables dynamic real-time tracking of c-di-GMP levels in individual living cells.
- Andreas Kaczmarczyk
- , Simon van Vliet
- & Urs Jenal
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Article
| Open AccessThe Shigella kinase effector OspG modulates host ubiquitin signaling to escape septin-cage entrapment
Here, Xian et al. use phosphoproteomics to identify that the Shigella effector OspG interacts with a regulator of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases to promote the ubiquitination of septins and consequent inhibition of septin cage formation.
- Wei Xian
- , Jiaqi Fu
- & Xiaoyun Liu
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Article
| Open AccessTemporal shifts in 24 notifiable infectious diseases in China before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Public health and social measures for COVID-19 also impacted the incidence of other infectious diseases. In this study, the authors characterise the impacts of these measures on 24 notifiable infectious diseases in China until December 2023.
- Kangguo Li
- , Jia Rui
- & Tianmu Chen
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Article
| Open AccessBacteroidota inhibit microglia clearance of amyloid-beta and promote plaque deposition in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models
The gut microbiota and microglia play critical roles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, the authors show that Bacteroides fragilis contributes to AD pathogenesis in mouse models by suppressing immune-mediated microglial clearance of amyloid beta.
- Caroline Wasén
- , Leah C. Beauchamp
- & Howard L. Weiner
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Article
| Open AccessPersistent and multiclonal malaria parasite dynamics despite extended artemether-lumefantrine treatment in children
Standard diagnostics are often not able to fully capture submicroscopic parasite dynamics after treatment with antimalarials. In this longitudinal analysis of molecular markers of malaria parasitemia in an Ugandan cohort, authors describe persistence of markers following antimalarial therapy with dynamic and complex multiclonal infections in the initial and post-treatment periods.
- Justin Goodwin
- , Richard Kajubi
- & Sunil Parikh
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Article
| Open AccessAllosteric regulation by c-di-AMP modulates a complete N-acetylglucosamine signaling cascade in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
c-di-AMP is essential for bacterial signaling. Here, the authors identify the GlcNAc-sensing regulator DasR as a c-di-AMP receptor and provide molecular insight into their signaling effect on the developmental and antibiotic biosynthesis control across Actinobacteria.
- Di You
- , Liu-Chang Zhao
- & Bang-Ce Ye
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Article
| Open AccessSeasonal antigenic prediction of influenza A H3N2 using machine learning
This study presents a machine learning model that accurately predicts seasonal antigenic changes of influenza A H3N2 using genetic data. The model’s predictions can aid influenza surveillance, vaccine strain selection, and public health management.
- Syed Awais W. Shah
- , Daniel P. Palomar
- & Matthew R. McKay
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Article
| Open AccessHigh SARS-CoV-2 incidence and asymptomatic fraction during Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves in The Gambia
Many low- and middle-income countries, including The Gambia, had low COVID-19 vaccination coverage during the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants. Here, the authors perform a prospective household cohort study in the Gambia to investigate the dynamics of SARS-Cov-2 infection in this setting.
- Sheikh Jarju
- , Rhys D. Wenlock
- & Thushan I. de Silva
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Article
| Open AccessReplication competent HIV-guided CRISPR screen identifies antiviral factors including targets of the accessory protein Nef
Innate immune mechanisms are critical for antiviral defense. Here, the authors developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based HIV-driven approach to identify cellular factors compromising viral transcription, assembly, release or infectivity in human T cells. They identify targets of the Nef protein as antiviral factors.
- Caterina Prelli Bozzo
- , Alexandre Laliberté
- & Frank Kirchhoff
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Article
| Open AccessA Toxoplasma gondii O-glycosyltransferase that modulates bradyzoite cyst wall rigidity is distinct from host homologues
A Toxoplasma gondii mucin-type O-glycosyltransferase uses a unique catalytic mechanism to modify bradyzoite cyst wall proteins. A second metal coupled to substrate binding is required for catalysis, while an active site glutamate suggests a double-displacement mechanism.
- Pranav Kumar
- , Tadakimi Tomita
- & Nadine L. Samara
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Article
| Open AccessAn oxylipin signal confers protection against antifungal echinocandins in pathogenic aspergilli
Echinocandins are antifungal drugs that inhibit hyphal growth and induce lysis of hyphal tip compartments in pathogenic Aspergillus species. Here, Calise et al. show that echinocandins induce production of a fungal oxylipin signal, thus triggering hyphal growth changes that reduce hyphal tip lysis and confer echinocandin tolerance.
- Dante G. Calise
- , Sung Chul Park
- & Nancy P. Keller
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Article
| Open AccessBiosynthetic production of anticoagulant heparin polysaccharides through metabolic and sulfotransferases engineering strategies
Microbial heparin bioproduction is hampered by the difficulty of recombinant expression of active heparan sulfate N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase. Here, the authors solve the problem by developing a cellular system-based semisynthetic strategy and achieve the production of active heparin by engineered E. coli.
- Jian-Qun Deng
- , Yi Li
- & Ju-Zheng Sheng
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Article
| Open AccessDiet-omics in the
S tudy ofU rban andR uralC rohn diseaseE volution (SOURCE) cohortExposures rather than genetics likely contribute to the worldwide increased prevalence of Crohn Disease (CD). Here, the authors constructed the Study Of Urban and Rural Crohn disease Evolution (SOURCE), a multicenter and multi-omics cross-sectional study, to identify that time spent by rural residents in urban environments is linked with changes in gut microbial composition and metabolomics, which mirrored those seen in CD. Reviewer recognition:
- Tzipi Braun
- , Rui Feng
- & Yael Haberman
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Article
| Open AccessIL-17C is a driver of damaging inflammation during Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of human Fallopian tube
In pelvic inflammatory disease, host immune responses to Neisseria gonorrhoeae damage Fallopian tube tissue and cause infertility. Here, Garcia et al. show that the cytokine IL-17C induces inflammatory responses, and peptidoglycan fragments reduce transcripts related to tissue integrity.
- Erin M. Garcia
- , Jonathan D. Lenz
- & Joseph P. Dillard
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Article
| Open AccessAdjuvant-dependent impact of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines during heterologous infection by a SARS-related coronavirus
Here, Dillard and Taft-Benz et al. show in a female mouse model how different adjuvants affect inactivated vaccine-mediated protection against homologous SARS-CoV-2 and heterologous SARS-CoV-1-like coronaviruses. They find that an aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted vaccine can increase risk of adverse outcomes during heterologous infection.
- Jacob A. Dillard
- , Sharon A. Taft-Benz
- & Mark T. Heise
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Article
| Open AccessThe DEAD-box RNA helicase PfDOZI imposes opposing actions on RNA metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum
Min and colleagues study post-transcriptional regulation in the malaria parasite. They describe opposing actions of the DDX6-family RNA helicase complex on the decay and protection of specific mRNA targets during development and stress conditions.
- Hui Min
- , Xiaoying Liang
- & Liwang Cui
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Article
| Open AccessGlobally occurring pelagiphage infections create ribosome-deprived cells
SAR11 bacteria and their phages are abundant in the oceans. Here the authors quantify the number of phage-infected SAR11 cells using microscopy techniques and discover phage-infected cells without any detectable ribosomes. They hypothesize that ribosomal RNA may be used for the synthesis of phage genomes.
- Jan D. Brüwer
- , Chandni Sidhu
- & Bernhard M. Fuchs
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Article
| Open AccessEndogenous clock-mediated regulation of intracellular oxygen dynamics is essential for diazotrophic growth of unicellular cyanobacteria
The authors investigate the circadian clock in a unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium. They demonstrate the role of the clock in regulating intracellular oxygen dynamics, a necessity to accommodate nitrogen fixation in an oxygen-producing cell.
- Anindita Bandyopadhyay
- , Annesha Sengupta
- & Himadri B. Pakrasi
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Article
| Open AccessRegulatory sequence-based discovery of anti-defense genes in archaeal viruses
Little is known about how archaeal viruses counteract host immunity. Here, the authors leverage a viral gene regulatory feature to predict 354 potential anti-defense genes and experimentally validate a CRISPR-Cas I-A inhibitor and an inhibitor of a toxin-antitoxin system.
- Yuvaraj Bhoobalan-Chitty
- , Shuanshuan Xu
- & Xu Peng
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Article
| Open AccessConcomitant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening for elimination of HPV and cervical cancer
Here the authors report baseline results of a population-based trial testing concomitant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and HPV-based screening of young women in Sweden and, using a transmission model, suggest that this approach may reduce high-risk HPV infections.
- Laila Sara Arroyo Mühr
- , Andrea Gini
- & Joakim Dillner
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Article
| Open AccessAirway epithelial CD47 plays a critical role in inducing influenza virus-mediated bacterial super-infection
During the influenza pandemic, a large number of deaths resulted from secondary bacterial pneumonia caused by common upper respiratory tract bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. Here, Moon et al, find that the interaction between airway epithelial CD47 and the pathogenic bacterial FnBP is critical in causing bacterial superinfection.
- Sungmin Moon
- , Seunghan Han
- & Ji-Hwan Ryu
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Article
| Open AccessEvolution of triclosan resistance modulates bacterial permissiveness to multidrug resistance plasmids and phages
In this work, Yang et al. provide evidence of triclosan exposure resulting in increased evolvability of K. pneumoniae in experimental evolution studies. They utilize sequencing and transcriptomics to explore the chromosomally and horizontally acquired antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
- Qiu E. Yang
- , Xiaodan Ma
- & Timothy R. Walsh
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Article
| Open AccessA secondary mechanism of action for triazole antifungals in Aspergillus fumigatus mediated by hmg1
Triazole antifungals are widely used and exert their action by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis. Here, Rybak et al show that these drugs both inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis and induce accumulation of pathway intermediates that directly induce inhibition of sterol synthesis.
- Jeffrey M. Rybak
- , Jinhong Xie
- & Jarrod R. Fortwendel
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 genetic mutations in a lung transplantation patient with persistent COVID-19
In this study, the authors report the case of a patient who underwent lung transplantation and subsequently developed COVID-19 that resulted in persistent infection. Following antiviral treatment, SARS-CoV-2 (BA.5) showed dynamic genetic diversity with remdesivir resistant mutations leading to enhanced fusogenicity.
- Hidetoshi Igari
- , Seiichiro Sakao
- & Eiji Ido
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Article
| Open AccessHIV transmission dynamics and population-wide drug resistance in rural South Africa
There is limited data on drug resistance in South African communities strongly affected by HIV. In this study, the authors observed low levels of resistance to newer drugs but widespread resistance to older HIV medications in a South African community. Resistance to rilpivirine was detected even in untreated individuals.
- Steven A. Kemp
- , Kimia Kamelian
- & Ravindra K. Gupta
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Article
| Open AccessGut microbiome composition and metabolic activity in women with diverticulitis
Here, the authors present a multi-omics examination of stool samples obtained from individuals with diverticulitis and controls, uncovering disruptions in the balance of microbial composition and metabolites, as well as co-occurring microbe-metabolite associations relevant to the disease.
- Wenjie Ma
- , Yiqing Wang
- & Andrew T. Chan
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Article
| Open AccessCD8+ T-cell responses towards conserved influenza B virus epitopes across anatomical sites and age
Influenza B viruses are linked to significant morbidity and mortality, and yet their immunobiology is comparatively poorly understood. Here Menon et al identify influenza B virus-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes and characterise these in adults, children and the elderly.
- Tejas Menon
- , Patricia T. Illing
- & Katherine Kedzierska
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Article
| Open AccessSulfur oxidation and reduction are coupled to nitrogen fixation in the roots of the salt marsh foundation plant Spartina alterniflora
The mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions in coastal ecosystems are little explored. Here, the authors use multi-omics and biogeochemical measurements to investigate the saltmarsh cordgrass root microbiome and its role in coupling nitrogen fixation and sulfur cycling.
- J. L. Rolando
- , M. Kolton
- & J. E. Kostka
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Article
| Open AccessLifecycle of a predatory bacterium vampirizing its prey through the cell envelope and S-layer
The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio exovorus attaches on the surface on other bacteria and feeds on them. Here, the authors study the lifecycle of B. exovorus, showing that it proliferates by non-binary division, firm junctions are established between prey and predator outer membranes, and a proteinaceous S-layer does not protect prey cells against predation.
- Yoann G. Santin
- , Adrià Sogues
- & Géraldine Laloux
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Article
| Open AccessCyclodipeptide oxidase is an enzyme filament
Many cyclic dipeptide natural products can be modified by cyclodipeptide oxidase enzymes. Here, the authors report the structural characterization of the cyclodipeptide oxidase AlbAB and show that it assembles into heterooligomeric enzyme filaments.
- Michael P. Andreas
- & Tobias W. Giessen
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Article
| Open AccessThe hinge-engineered IgG1-IgG3 hybrid subclass IgGh47 potently enhances Fc-mediated function of anti-streptococcal and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
Here, the authors elongated the hinge structure of IgG1 monoclonal antibodies. The modified IgG1-IgG3 hybrid subclass showed enhanced Fc-mediated function compared to IgG1 in two distinct biological systems, Streptococcus pyogenes and SARS-CoV-2.
- Arman Izadi
- , Yasaman Karami
- & Pontus Nordenfelt
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Article
| Open AccessOxygen enhances antiviral innate immunity through maintenance of EGLN1-catalyzed proline hydroxylation of IRF3
Oxygen is an essential requirement for aerobic organisms. Here the authors explore the role of oxygen in the antiviral innate response in multiple models of infection and suggest oxygen enhances the antiviral innate response via EGLN1 hydroxylation of IRF3.
- Xing Liu
- , Jinhua Tang
- & Wuhan Xiao
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Article
| Open AccessMucosal prime-boost immunization with live murine pneumonia virus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is protective in macaques
Immunization via the respiratory route is predicted to increase the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here, Kaiser et al. describe a murine pneumonia virus vectored vaccine expressing spike protein, and show that intranasal immunization of male rhesus macaques provides good mucosal and systemic immunogenicity and efficacy.
- Jaclyn A. Kaiser
- , Christine E. Nelson
- & Cyril Le Nouën
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Article
| Open AccessThe airborne transmission of viruses causes tight transmission bottlenecks
Genomic analyses have indicated that a small number of virus particles usually found new infections. Here, the authors use a mathematical model to show that this small transmission bottleneck is a result of the physical processes of airborne virus emission, diffusion, and inhalation.
- Patrick Sinclair
- , Lei Zhao
- & Christopher J. R. Illingworth
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Article
| Open AccessCross-species spill-over potential of the H9N2 bat influenza A virus
In this study, the authors report that a bat influenza A (H9N2) virus shows receptor binding features similar to avian influenza viruses, efficiently infects ex-vivo human respiratory cells and replicates in the lungs of mice and upper respiratory tract of ferrets following airborne transmission.
- Rabeh El-Shesheny
- , John Franks
- & Richard J. Webby
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Article
| Open AccessBat-borne H9N2 influenza virus evades MxA restriction and exhibits efficient replication and transmission in ferrets
In this study, the authors report that bat H9N2 influenza A virus replicates and transmits in ferrets, efficiently infects human lung explant cultures, evades MxA antiviral activity in mice, and has low antigenic similarity to seasonal N2, meeting pre-pandemic criteria.
- Nico Joel Halwe
- , Lea Hamberger
- & Martin Beer
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Article
| Open AccessPurines enrich root-associated Pseudomonas and improve wild soybean growth under salt stress
Root-associated microbiota confers benefits to plant in responding to environmental stress. Here, the authors show that wild soybean secretes purines under salt stress, reshapes the microbiota and recruits Pseudomonas.
- Yanfen Zheng
- , Xuwen Cao
- & Cheng-Sheng Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessAmbient carbon dioxide concentration correlates with SARS-CoV-2 aerostability and infection risk
Carbon dioxide concentration has previously been used as a proxy for overall ventilation efficiency to indirectly estimate the risk of indoor SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Here, authors investigate whether the concentration of carbon dioxide also has a direct mechanistic role in improving transmission efficiency.
- Allen Haddrell
- , Henry Oswin
- & Jonathan P. Reid
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Article
| Open AccessThe gut commensal Blautia maintains colonic mucus function under low-fiber consumption through secretion of short-chain fatty acids
Here, the authors show that elevating fiber intake in humans alters their gut microbiota, which, upon transplantation into mice, enhances intestinal mucus function, and identify a crucial role played by the commensal bacterium Blautia and its fermentation products.
- Sandra M. Holmberg
- , Rachel H. Feeney
- & Bjoern O. Schroeder
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Article
| Open AccessTravel surveillance uncovers dengue virus dynamics and introductions in the Caribbean
Dengue is a major public health concern in the Americas, and the Caribbean can be a source for reintroduction and spread. Here, the authors use travel surveillance data and genomic epidemiology to reconstruct Dengue epidemic dynamics in the Caribbean from 2009-2022.
- Emma Taylor-Salmon
- , Verity Hill
- & Nathan D. Grubaugh
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Article
| Open AccessLoss of TRIM29 mitigates viral myocarditis by attenuating PERK-driven ER stress response in male mice
Knowledge of pathogenesis mechanisms and effective treatments for viral myocarditis is lacking. Here, Wang et al show that loss of TRIM29 and PERK inhibitor mitigate viral myocarditis by attenuating PERK-driven ER stress and ROS responses in male mice.
- Junying Wang
- , Wenting Lu
- & Junji Xing
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Article
| Open AccessThe antimicrobial fibupeptide lugdunin forms water-filled channel structures in lipid membranes
The fibupeptide lugdunin has shown activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, authors disclose its mechanism of action in lipid membranes and demonstrate that it assembles into nanotubes facilitating the translocation of monovalent cations.
- Dominik Ruppelt
- , Marius F. W. Trollmann
- & Claudia Steinem
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