Review, Reviews

Out with the old: Hsp90 finds amino acid residue more useful than co-chaperone protein

Abbey D. Zuehlke1 and Leonard Neckers1

This article comments on work published by Zuehlke et al (Nat Commun, 2017), which demonstrates that the function of one co-chaperone in yeast is replaced by posttranslational modification (PTM) of a single amino acid within Hsp90 in higher eukaryotes.

Having your cake and eating it – Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants can evolve faster growth rate without losing their antibiotic resistance

Gerrit Brandis1, Sha Cao1, Douglas L. Huseby1 and Diarmaid Hughes1

This article comments on work published by Cao et al. (mBio, 2027), which shows that Staphylococcus aureus can produce small colony variants (SCVs) that are challenging to detect and lead to persistent infections due to mutations affecting respiration and ATP production, with recent findings indicating various evolutionary paths for SCVs to increase growth rate while maintaining antibiotic resistance, suggesting greater adaptability and clinical challenge.

Integrative metabolomics as emerging tool to study autophagy regulation

Sarah Stryeck1, Ruth Birner-Gruenberger2, Tobias Madl1,*

This review summarizes the advancements in metabolomics, particularly using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and its increasing role in biological research, offering insights into autophagy regulation with a focus on key metabolites, recent studies, and future prospects in elucidating complex regulatory mechanisms of autophagy and related diseases.

The interplay between transcription and mRNA degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Subhadeep Das1, Debasish Sarkar2 and Biswadip Das1

This review summarizes how the integration of mRNA synthesis and degradation, mediated by specialized promoters and "coordinators," shapes the cellular transcriptome and plays a significant role in regulating gene expression profiles in various biological processes and potentially enhances evolutionary rates.

Inhibitors of glycosomal protein import provide new leads against trypanosomiasis

Vishal C. Kalel1, Leonidas Emmanouilidis2,3, Maciej Dawidowski2,3,4, Wolfgang Schliebs1, Michael Sattler2,3, Grzegorz M. Popowicz2,3, Ralf Erdmann1

This article comments on work published by Dawidowski et al. (Science, 2017), which provides the grounds for further development of the glycosome inhibitors into clinical candidates and validates the parasite protein-protein interactions as drug targets.

Impact of the host on Toxoplasma stage differentiation

Carsten G.K. Lüder1 and Taibur Rahman1

This review summarizes how Toxoplasma gondii transitions from an acute to a chronic infection in warm-blooded animals and humans through a developmental switch influenced by host cell physiology, which determines parasite persistence mainly in neural and muscular tissues.

Chlamydia and mitochondria – an unfragmented relationship

Suvagata Roy Chowdhury1 and Thomas Rudel1

This article comments on work published by Chowdhury et al (J Cell Biol, 2017), which demonstrated that Chlamydia infection induces and requires an upregulation of the host miRNA, miR-30c-5p (miR-30c) to ameliorate infection induced stress on the host mitochondrial architecture and hinders induction of apoptosis.

Protein aggregation triggers a declining libido in elder yeasts that still have a lust for life

Fabrice Caudron

This article comments on work published by Schlissel et al (Science 2017), showing that aging in yeast does not lead to the expected loss of heterochromatin silencing due to Sir2 inactivity, but rather to reduced mating pheromone sensitivity caused by the aggregation of the RNA-binding protein Whi3, which can be reversed by eliminating Whi3's polyglutamine domain.

Post-transcriptional regulation of ribosome biogenesis in yeast

Isabelle C. Kos-Braun and Martin Koš

Microorganisms adapt to environmental changes by regulating their metabolism, and one key survival strategy is to decrease energy use during adverse conditions by halting ribosome production, with recent findings showing yeast can switch between pre-rRNA processing pathways in response to environmental shifts, adding complexity to ribosome biogenesis regulation.

Previous Next

Efflux pumps: gatekeepers of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms

November 11, 2024

This review aims to elucidate the complex relationship between efflux pumps, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in S. aureus with the aim to aid in the development of potential therapeutic targets for combating S. aureus infections, especially those associated with biofilms.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of human diseases: the benefits of fission yeasts

August 2, 2024

Here we collect the latest laboratory protocols and bioinformatics tools for the fission yeasts to highlight the many possibilities available to the research community. In addition, we present several limiting factors that everyone should be aware of when working with yeast models.

Characterising glycosaminoglycans in human breastmilk and their potential role in infant health

July 4, 2024

Glycosaminoglycans are bioactive components present in breast milk and play a potential key role in determining infant health yet are overlooked by many contemporary studies. This review explores their relevance, use and characterisation techniques.

Neutralizing the threat: harnessing broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 for treatment and prevention

July 3, 2024

This review provides an overview of the advancements in HIV- 1-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies and discusses the insights gathered from recent clinical trials regarding their application in treating and preventing HIV-1 infection.

From microbes to medicine: harnessing the gut microbiota to combat prostate cancer

May 23, 2024

The gut microbiome (GM) has been identified as a crucial factor in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. This review highlights the important role that the GM may play in the development and progression of prostate cancer, through its influence on chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and other pathogenic mechanisms.

The cAMP-PKA signalling crosstalks with CWI and HOG-MAPK pathways in yeast cell response to osmotic and thermal stress

March 15, 2024

During industrial fermentation yeast strains are exposed to fluctuations in oxygen concentration, osmotic pressure, pH, ethanol concentration, nutrient availability and temperature. The scope of this review is to outline the advancement of knowledge about the cAMP-PKA signalling and the crosstalk of this pathway with the CWI and HOG-MAPK cascades in response to the environmental challenges heat and hyperosmotic stress.

Phospholipases A and Lysophospholipases in protozoan parasites

October 2, 2023

In this review, we summarize the literature on phospholipases and lysophospholipases in several protozoan parasites of medical relevance, and discuss the growing interest for them as potential drug and vaccine targets.

Biofilm tolerance, resistance and infections increasing threat of public health

September 26, 2023

The review explores the role of biofilms in the development of bacterial resistance mechanisms and proposed therapeutic intervention strategies for biofilm related diseases.

Infinity war: Trichomonas vaginalis and interactions with host immune response

March 31, 2023

Trichomonas vaginalis is the pathological agent of human trichomoniasis with an incidence of 156 million cases worldwide. This review highlights parasite strategies to activate and stimulate or evade variated and complex immunological mechanisms related to the symptoms and clinical complications observed here.

The metabolites of lactic acid bacteria: classification, biosynthesis and modulation of gut microbiota

February 8, 2023

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are ubiquitous microorganisms that can colonize the intestine and participate in the physiological metabolism of the host. In this review, we summarize the metabolites of LAB and their influence on the intestine as well as the underlying regulatory mechanisms and their impact on human health.

Previous Next