Vol. 08, 2021

Murals meet microbes: at the crossroads of microbiology and cultural heritage

Maria A. Bauer1, Katharina Kainz1, Christoph Ruckenstuhl1, Frank Madeo1-3 and Didac Carmona-Gutierrez1

This article comments on the duality of microorganisms in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, which encompasses the negative impact of damaging microorganisms and recent advances in using specific microorganisms and microbial-based technologies for cultural heritage preservation.

Forced association of SARS-CoV-2 proteins with the yeast proteome perturb vesicle trafficking

Cinzia Klemm1,#, Henry Wood1,#, Grace Heredge Thomas1,#, Guðjón Ólafsson1,2, Mara Teixeira Torres1 and Peter H. Thorpe1

This work demonstrates that the yeast Synthetic Physical Interactions method is a rapid way to identify potential functions of ectopic viral proteins.

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Giovana Parreira de Aquino1,#, Marco Antonio Mendes Gomes1,#, Roberto Köpke Salinas2 and Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva1

This work reviews specific aspects of lipid and fatty acid metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.

Urm1, not quite a ubiquitin-like modifier?

Lars Kaduhr1, Cindy Brachmann1, Keerthiraju Ethiraju Ravichandran2,3, James D. West4, Sebastian Glatt2 and Raffael Schaffrath1

This article comments on work published by Brachmann et al. (Redox Biol, 2020), which studied urmylation of the yeast 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Ahp1, uncovering that promiscuous lysine target sites and specific redox requirements determine the Urm1 acceptor activity of the peroxiredoxin.

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Jorge González-Bacerio1,2, Maikel Izquierdo1, Mirtha Elisa Aguado1, Ana C. Varela1, Maikel González-Matos1 and Maday Alonso del Rivero1

This Review highlights the relevant roles of microbial metalo-aminopeptidases in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.

The long and winding road of reverse genetics in Trypanosoma cruzi

Miguel A. Chiurillo1 and Noelia Lander1

This Editorial provides a brief historic overview that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the molecular strategies that have been developed to genetically modify Trypanosoma cruzi, emphasizing the future directions of the field.

Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by single-cell RNA sequencing

Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by single-cell RNA sequencing

Wanqiu Huang1, Danni Wang1 and Yu-Feng Yao1,2

This work highlights recent remarkable advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and their applications in the investigation of host-pathogen interactions. Current challenges and potential prospects for disease treatment are discussed as well.

Airborne bacteria in show caves from Southern Spain

Irene Dominguez-Moñino1, Valme Jurado1, Miguel Angel Rogerio-Candelera1, Bernardo Hermosin1 and Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez1

This study analyzes the factors conditioning the diversity of airborne bacteria recorded in three Andalusian show caves, subjected to different managements.

Exploring <i>absent</i> protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation

Exploring absent protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation

Christina S. Moesslacher1,#, Johanna M. Kohlmayr1,# and Ulrich Stelzl1,#

This review discusses the applicability of yeast systems to investigate absent human protein function with a specific focus on the impact of protein variation on protein-protein interaction modulation.

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Murals meet microbes: at the crossroads of microbiology and cultural heritage

Maria A. Bauer1, Katharina Kainz1, Christoph Ruckenstuhl1, Frank Madeo1-3 and Didac Carmona-Gutierrez1

This article comments on the duality of microorganisms in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, which encompasses the negative impact of damaging microorganisms and recent advances in using specific microorganisms and microbial-based technologies for cultural heritage preservation.

Forced association of SARS-CoV-2 proteins with the yeast proteome perturb vesicle trafficking

Cinzia Klemm1,#, Henry Wood1,#, Grace Heredge Thomas1,#, Guðjón Ólafsson1,2, Mara Teixeira Torres1 and Peter H. Thorpe1

This work demonstrates that the yeast Synthetic Physical Interactions method is a rapid way to identify potential functions of ectopic viral proteins.

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Giovana Parreira de Aquino1,#, Marco Antonio Mendes Gomes1,#, Roberto Köpke Salinas2 and Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva1

This work reviews specific aspects of lipid and fatty acid metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.

Urm1, not quite a ubiquitin-like modifier?

Lars Kaduhr1, Cindy Brachmann1, Keerthiraju Ethiraju Ravichandran2,3, James D. West4, Sebastian Glatt2 and Raffael Schaffrath1

This article comments on work published by Brachmann et al. (Redox Biol, 2020), which studied urmylation of the yeast 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Ahp1, uncovering that promiscuous lysine target sites and specific redox requirements determine the Urm1 acceptor activity of the peroxiredoxin.

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Jorge González-Bacerio1,2, Maikel Izquierdo1, Mirtha Elisa Aguado1, Ana C. Varela1, Maikel González-Matos1 and Maday Alonso del Rivero1

This Review highlights the relevant roles of microbial metalo-aminopeptidases in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.

The long and winding road of reverse genetics in Trypanosoma cruzi

Miguel A. Chiurillo1 and Noelia Lander1

This Editorial provides a brief historic overview that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the molecular strategies that have been developed to genetically modify Trypanosoma cruzi, emphasizing the future directions of the field.

Next
Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

Giovana Parreira de Aquino1,#, Marco Antonio Mendes Gomes1,#, Roberto Köpke Salinas2 and Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva1

This work reviews specific aspects of lipid and fatty acid metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Jorge González-Bacerio1,2, Maikel Izquierdo1, Mirtha Elisa Aguado1, Ana C. Varela1, Maikel González-Matos1 and Maday Alonso del Rivero1

This Review highlights the relevant roles of microbial metalo-aminopeptidases in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.

Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by single-cell RNA sequencing

Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by single-cell RNA sequencing

Wanqiu Huang1, Danni Wang1 and Yu-Feng Yao1,2

This work highlights recent remarkable advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and their applications in the investigation of host-pathogen interactions. Current challenges and potential prospects for disease treatment are discussed as well.

Exploring <i>absent</i> protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation

Exploring absent protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation

Christina S. Moesslacher1,#, Johanna M. Kohlmayr1,# and Ulrich Stelzl1,#

This review discusses the applicability of yeast systems to investigate absent human protein function with a specific focus on the impact of protein variation on protein-protein interaction modulation.

LasR-regulated proteases in acute vs. chronic lung infection: a double-edged sword

LasR-regulated proteases in acute vs. chronic lung infection: a double-edged sword

Lisa C. Hennemann1,2 and Dao Nguyen1,2,3

This article comments on work published by Hennemann et al. (PLoS Pathog, 2021), which observed that in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, functional loss of the quorum sensing transcriptional activator LasR in lasR variants results in impaired secreted protease production, leads to increased expression of the membrane-bound surface adhesion molecule mICAM-1 in the airway epithelium, and increases neutrophilic inflammation.

DNA polymerase III protein, HolC, helps resolve replication/transcription conflicts

Susan T. Lovett1

This article comments on work published by Cooper et al. (mBio, 2021), which isolated and identified spontaneous suppressor mutants in a strain devoid of the holC gene, which encodes an accessory protein to the core clamp loader complex and is the only protein of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme that binds to single-strand DNA binding protein.

Too much of a good thing: Overproduction of virulence factors impairs cryptococcal pathogenicity

Julia C. V. Reuwsaat1, Tamara L. Doering2, and Livia Kmetzsch1,3

This article comments on work published by Reuwsaat et al. (mBio, 2021), which identified the transcription factor Pdr802 as essential for Cryptococcus neoformans adaptation to and survival under host conditions both in vitro and in vivo.

Host-bacteria metabolic crosstalk drives S. aureus biofilm

Kira L. Tomlinson1 and Sebastián A. Riquelme1

This article comments on work published by Tomlinson et al. (Nat Comm, 2021), which demonstrates that Staphylococcus aureus induces the production of the immunoreglatory metabolite itaconate in airway immune cells by stimulating mitochondrial oxidant stress. Itaconate in turn inhibits S. aureus glycolysis and growth, and promoted carbon flux through bacterial metabolic pathways that support biofilm production.

Mechanisms underlying lactic acid tolerance and its influence on lactic acid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Arne Peetermans1,2, María R. Foulquié-Moreno1,2 and Johan M. Thevelein1,2,3

This article reviews the manner in which Saccharomyces cerevisiae deals with the accumulation of lactic acid as a singular stress factor as well as in combination with other stresses. In addition, different methods to improve lactic acid tolerance in S. cerevisiae using targeted and non-targeted engineering methods are discussed.

Next

Murals meet microbes: at the crossroads of microbiology and cultural heritage

Maria A. Bauer1, Katharina Kainz1, Christoph Ruckenstuhl1, Frank Madeo1-3 and Didac Carmona-Gutierrez1

This article comments on the duality of microorganisms in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, which encompasses the negative impact of damaging microorganisms and recent advances in using specific microorganisms and microbial-based technologies for cultural heritage preservation.

Urm1, not quite a ubiquitin-like modifier?

Lars Kaduhr1, Cindy Brachmann1, Keerthiraju Ethiraju Ravichandran2,3, James D. West4, Sebastian Glatt2 and Raffael Schaffrath1

This article comments on work published by Brachmann et al. (Redox Biol, 2020), which studied urmylation of the yeast 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Ahp1, uncovering that promiscuous lysine target sites and specific redox requirements determine the Urm1 acceptor activity of the peroxiredoxin.

The long and winding road of reverse genetics in Trypanosoma cruzi

Miguel A. Chiurillo1 and Noelia Lander1

This Editorial provides a brief historic overview that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the molecular strategies that have been developed to genetically modify Trypanosoma cruzi, emphasizing the future directions of the field.

Means of intracellular communication: touching, kissing, fusing

Anne Spang1

This work highlights different aspects of communication between organelles, including the importance of organellar contact sites.

Neuropathogenesis caused by Trypanosoma brucei, still an enigma to be unveiled

Katherine Figarella1

This Editorial addresses the meningo-encephalitic stage of Trypanosoma brucei infection and the resultig neuropathogenesis as well as the impact that the application of tools developed in the last years in the field of neuroscience will have on the study of neglected tropical diseases.

Lichens – growing greenhouses en miniature

Martin Grube1

This commentary article provides an overview on different aspects of lichen biology and the remarkable symbiotic association between fungi and algae.

Murals meet microbes: at the crossroads of microbiology and cultural heritage

December 6, 2021

This article comments on the duality of microorganisms in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, which encompasses the negative impact of damaging microorganisms and recent advances in using specific microorganisms and microbial-based technologies for cultural heritage preservation.

Forced association of SARS-CoV-2 proteins with the yeast proteome perturb vesicle trafficking

October 27, 2021

This work demonstrates that the yeast Synthetic Physical Interactions method is a rapid way to identify potential functions of ectopic viral proteins.

Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids

October 6, 2021

This work reviews specific aspects of lipid and fatty acid metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.

Urm1, not quite a ubiquitin-like modifier?

September 21, 2021

This article comments on work published by Brachmann et al. (Redox Biol, 2020), which studied urmylation of the yeast 2-Cys peroxiredoxin Ahp1, uncovering that promiscuous lysine target sites and specific redox requirements determine the Urm1 acceptor activity of the peroxiredoxin.

Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

August 9, 2021

This Review highlights the relevant roles of microbial metalo-aminopeptidases in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.

The long and winding road of reverse genetics in Trypanosoma cruzi

August 5, 2021

This Editorial provides a brief historic overview that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the molecular strategies that have been developed to genetically modify Trypanosoma cruzi, emphasizing the future directions of the field.

Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases by single-cell RNA sequencing

August 4, 2021

This work highlights recent remarkable advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and their applications in the investigation of host-pathogen interactions. Current challenges and potential prospects for disease treatment are discussed as well.

Airborne bacteria in show caves from Southern Spain

July 26, 2021

This study analyzes the factors conditioning the diversity of airborne bacteria recorded in three Andalusian show caves, subjected to different managements.

Exploring absent protein function in yeast: assaying post translational modification and human genetic variation

July 2, 2021

This review discusses the applicability of yeast systems to investigate absent human protein function with a specific focus on the impact of protein variation on protein-protein interaction modulation.

Landscapes and bacterial signatures of mucosa-associated intestinal microbiota in Chilean and Spanish patients with inflammatory bowel disease

June 18, 2021

This study investigates the landscapes and alterations of mucosa-associated intestinal microbiota in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, which cause chronic inflammation of the gut, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

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