Mostly Microbes and Infection - by David Ojcius

  Highlight • This review examines the evolutionary origin, regulation, and functional diversification of IFN stimulated genes in vertebrates. Evolutionary pathways of IGS, with gene gain and loss, and their connection with redundancy and robustness are discussed.

  Highlights • VMT restores skin  N -bc2S1P linked to early neurodevelopment in cesarean-born neonates • N -bc2S1P engages β-arrestin1-biased S1PR2 signaling in forebrain excitatory neurons • β-arrestin1-biased S1PR2 signaling recruits AP-1/CBP to increase Notch H3K27ac • Engineered  S. epidermidis  sustains  N -bc2S1P and extends rescue of CS-associated deficits

  Highlights • A probiotic-integrated semi-closed RAS protocol significantly improved growth (+0.08%/day) and survival (+6.9%) in Cynoglossus semilaevis. • Probiotic treatment reshaped the gut microbiota from Vibrio dominance to a Photobacterium-enriched community and altered quorum sensing pathways. • Metagenomics revealed enhanced CAZyme activity and nutrient metabolism potential in the probiotic group. • Multi-tissue transcriptomics demonstrated coordinated immune activation (NF-κB, IgA network) and JAK–STAT-mediated metabolic reprogramming. • Functional validation of ccl19 confirmed enhanced resistance against Vibrio harveyi, supporting an immune–metabolic crosstalk model.

  Highlights • CCBs bind the inner pore of the HCMV US21 viroporin and abolish pUS21-mediated ER Ca 2+  leakage. • CCBs inhibit HCMV replication. • CCBs prevent the cytobiological consequences of pUS21 expression. • CCBs treatment restores ER Ca 2+  levels to those of control cells. • CCBs do not affect basal intracellular Ca 2+  homeostasis.

  Highlights • Translation measurements reveal how microbes allocate resources in communities • Functional profiles predict microbial competition and niche allocation • Predictions enable rational design of prebiotic and probiotic interventions • Interventions enable targeted modulation of complex microbiomes  in vitro  and  in vivo

  Highlights • Bacterial CD-NTase synthesizes 2'3'-cGAMP with mammalian cGAS-like enzymatic properties • 2'3'-cGAMP drives stepwise monomer-to-filament assembly of 3TM-SAVED family effectors • Filament assembly reconfigures TM helices and amphipathic hairpins to shear membranes • Vertical membrane shearing defines a distinct mode of membrane disruption

  Highlights • Borrelia spirochetes have a unique mechanism to evade host immune system. • Borrelia persica has one chromosome, 12 linear and one circular plasmids. • Telomeric hairpin motifs were detected in the chromosome and linear plasmids. • Plasmid profiles remained stable after one year of continuous in vitro culture. • A Vlp common variable region kept the same external position across structures.