Mostly Microbes and Infection - by David Ojcius

Using chemically induced  Effector-Triggered Immunity ( ETI) and single-cell transcriptomics in Arabidopsis leaves, researchers show that although pathogen effectors are broadly perceived, individual cell types mount distinct immune responses. A shared defense core is complemented by specialized programs shaped by cell identity and chromatin state. Epidermal regulators are crucial for preventing pathogen entry, revealing a layered, spatially organized plant immune system.

Scientists identified TgPRO, the first dedicated regulator of metabolic gene expression in apicomplexan parasites. In Toxoplasma gondii , TgPRO helps parasites adapt to crowding-induced oxidative stress by controlling genes involved in carbon metabolism and iron-sulfur cluster assembly. Loss of TgPRO increased reactive oxygen species and reduced fitness, revealing a convergently evolved metabolic control mechanism.

Researchers found that insoluble dietary fiber slows colorectal cancer progression in mice by altering gut microbiota and reducing production of the tumor-promoting ganglioside GM3. Fiber lowered levels of Paramuribaculum intestinale and a glycosphingolipid-related microbial enzyme, while GM3 was shown to stimulate tumor growth and inhibit cancer cell apoptosis.

Three Chlamydia species infect humans: C. trachomatis , C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci . C. trachomatis is the leading bacterial sexually transmitted infection, often asymptomatic but capable of causing pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and neonatal infections. It also causes trachoma, a major source of preventable blindness. C. pneumoniae causes respiratory illnesses and may be linked to cardiovascular disease. Chlamydial infections occur worldwide, with trachoma concentrated in poorer regions. Globally, about 89 million new sexually transmitted cases arise annually.    

Many people who walk by Bastille don't realize that there's a pretty little alley a few meters from the crowded cafés.

Clouds are more than water droplets. They host active microbial communities and, potentially, vast numbers of viruses. This article explores evidence that the global cloud virome contains roughly 10²¹ virus particles, examines how virus-bacteria interactions may shape microbial ecology during atmospheric transport, and highlights key research priorities for understanding the ecological role of the cloud virosphere.

Age-linked loss of beneficial Lactobacillus and rise of L. iners impair endometrial receptivity and embryo transfer outcomes. L. gasseri and its exopollysaccharides (EPSs) counteract senescence, enhance implantation in aged mice, and act through Hippo‑YAP signaling, suggesting microbiome‑based strategies to improve fertility in older women.

Background The relationship between gastric microbiota composition, Helicobacter pylori infection, and eradication outcomes remains unclear. This study aims to explore the association of gastric microbiota composition among patients with refractory H. pylori infection with the outcomes of rescue therapy. Material and Methods Patients who failed to respond to second- or third-line eradication therapies were prospectively enrolled. The composition of the gastric microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing prior to rescue therapy. The eradication outcomes were confirmed using the [ 13 C]-urea breath test. Results Among 1,590 screened participants, 23 patients with refractory H. pylori infection who underwent rescue therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing were enrolled. The alpha diversity did not differ between success and failure groups; however, the beta diversity analysis revealed a distinct microbial composition. The success group was enriched in Streptococ...

Metabolomics of single-strain & co-cultures of 7 Fusarium strains causing Fusarium head blight reveals metabolic modifications induced by strain co-occurrence. FHB metabolomics reveals species‑specific biomarkers & interaction‑driven shifts in co‑cultures.

Hadal microbes show distinct in situ activity, using refractory substrates & diverse electron acceptors to drive unique deep‑ocean biogeochemistry.

Microbial communities shift with salinity and K⁺, altering succession & carbon‑use strategies across evaporation stages.

Ecosystem Settings & Urbanization Shape Microbial Communities & Antibiotic Resistance Genes on Coastal microplastics Plastispheres differ by habitat & urbanization, with urban mangroves showing the highest ARG diversity.

Highlights • Genomics-driven discovery of a family of lanthipeptide BGCs with anti-phage function • Anti-phage function is confirmed for 6 lanthipeptides in native or heterologous hosts • Key enzymes and residues are identified for anti-phage function • Lanthivirin expression inhibits phage replication through interaction with proteins

Highlights • SidL is an actin-dependent adenylyltransferase that targets host glycolysis • SidL adenylates 3PG to produce 2-AMP-3PG • Expression of SidL in human cells disrupts glycolysis and blocks mTORC1 signaling • Production of 2-AMP-3PG by SidL occurs early during the Legionella infection cycle

Highlights • An introduced analytical framework quantifies taxon–community associations to identify computationally inferred candidate keystone taxa. • Application to five PVTGs identifies 121 candidate keystone taxa, most of which are population-specific, with a reproducible subset across traditional populations. • Several candidate keystone taxa associated with lower community dispersion also show consistent associations with multiple disease conditions, highlighting priorities for future investigation. • A conserved metabolic core coexists with population-specific functions, while acculturation is associated with reduced microbial diversity and increased disease-associated taxa.

Highlights • This review provides a mechanistic classification of bacterial neurotoxins. • Neurotoxins are discussed as modulators of neural and neuroimmune networks. • Emerging links between bacterial neurotoxins and the gut–brain axis are highlighted. • The role of neurotoxins in neurodegenerative disorders is critically evaluated. • Engineered neurotoxin platforms show promise for targeted neural therapeutics. • Current translational opportunities and limitations in precision neurology are reviewed.

Highlights • Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency aggravates offspring obesity • Vitamin B12 deficiency reduces B. pseudolongum in dams and offspring • Loss of B. pseudolongum during lactation worsens obesity in offspring • Restoring B. pseudolongum or acetate alleviates this obesity via Ffar2-Ehhadh

Highlights • Engineered GSDMs are tailored as VIDAs to sense viral protease • VIDA is inert without infection and has potent antiviral effects in vitro and in vivo • VIDA elicits a “kill-and-alert” antiviral immune response in mice • AI-driven accelerated evolution generates safer and more potent VIDAs

Highlights • Bulk meta-transcriptomics separates recurrent and condition-specific responses. • Heat ramp triggers a broader, more structured program than heat shock. • WGCNA, GO and motif analyses identify recurrent non-specific modules. • Heat ramp-specific signatures link ribosome biogenesis and proteostasis. • Stress-responsive modules show limited overlap with evolutionarily young genes.

Highlights • Seeds can transmit a subset of associated bacteria to the next plant generation. • Seed-associated bacteria can influence germination, nutrient acquisition, and pathogen suppression. • Seed-focused SynComs enable tests of bacterial persistence, seed-to-seedling transfer and effects on crop traits.

Highlights • NiV as a highly pathogenic zoonotic agent, poses a persistent and severe threat to global public health. • This review systematically reviews the viral structure and pathogenic mechanisms of NiV. • This review summarizes the progress and breakthroughs in vaccine development and addresses current research limitations. • The review provides theoretical support for the precise prevention and control of NiV.

Highlights • Pristine river ecosystem hosts ESBL ARGs, like bla TEM and bla CTX-M . • The Yamuna River hosts multidrug, fluoroquinolone, fosfomycin, and β-lactam resistance genes. • Predominance of biofilm-forming bacteria and their co-occurrence with the ARGs.

Highlights • Qdr3 coordinates cellular homeostasis in C. auris. • qdr3 deletion remodels mitochondrial function. • Loss of Qdr3 alters biofilm architecture and extracellular matrix production. • qdr3 deletion enhances virulence. • Qdr3 links membrane transport, mitochondrial function, and virulence.

Highlights • C. albicans Th17 cells are restricted to a few proteins contained in fungal EVs • The oral mucosa is a major reservoir of Th17 cells, dominated by C. albicans reactivity • C. albicans -reactive Th17 cells are shared between oral and gut tissues • Homeostatic C. albicans Th17 cells adapt pathogenic traits in Crohn’s disease

Highlights • Single-cell Raman spectroscopy coupled with D 2 O labeling was first applied to Vibrio splendidus persisters. • V. splendidus persisters are metabolically active rather than fully dormant. • Persisters show remodeled cellular components with decreased nucleic acids and increased lipids and polysaccharides. • Vitamin C inhibits persisters by suppressing the stringent response, providing a green anti-persister approach. Abstract Persister cells, a multidrug-tolerant bacterial subpopulation, pose challenges to disease control, with research hindered by technical limitations. In this study, single-cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS) combined with heavy water (D 2 O) labeling was employed to explore the metabolic activity and compositional changes of Vibrio splendidus persisters. Raman analysis revealed distinct biochemical profiles between persisters and normal cells: persisters reduced nucleic acid-related band intensity but increased lipid and polysaccharide-related bands. Usi...

Highlights • Sublethal oxytetracycline and CuCl 2 elevated per-cell 18S rDNA/rRNA copy numbers, disrupting allometric scaling with cell volume in two ciliated protists. • Oxytetracycline selectively increased rRNA: rDNA ratios, revealing stressor-specific ribosomal regulation. • Both stressors induced persistent intragenomic polymorphisms of 18S rRNA gene. • Pollutant-induced ASV inflation may bias microbial diversity estimates.

Highlights • Bedtime probiotic intake retains 100,000x more bacteria than daytime intake. • Oral-origin L. reuteri strain colonizes better than the non-oral isolate. • Probiotic persistence varies widely interindividually, some individuals retain strains 7+ days. • Supragingival plaque shows highest proportional probiotic abundance by site. • Higher probiotic levels correlate with greater pocket depth reduction in periodontitis.