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MinireviewTargeting the Achilles’ Heel of Bacteria: Different Mechanisms To Break Down the Peptidoglycan Cell Wall during Bacterial WarfareBacteria commonly live in dense polymicrobial communities and compete for scarce resources. Consequently, they employ a diverse array of mechanisms to harm, inhibit, and kill their competitors. The cell wall is essential for bacterial survival by providing mechanical strength to resist osmotic stress. Because peptidoglycan is the major component of the cell wall and its synthesis is a complex multistep pathway that requires the...
Research Articles
Research ArticleGlycosyltransferases within the psrP Locus Facilitate Pneumococcal VirulencePsrP has previously been identified as a necessary virulence factor for many serotypes of S. pneumoniae and studied as a surface glycoprotein. Thus, studying the effects on virulence of each glycosyltransferase (GT) that builds the PsrP glycan is of high importance.
Research ArticleDual Control of Flagellar Synthesis and Exopolysaccharide Production by FlbD-FliX Class II Regulatory Proteins in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiensMost environmental bacteria switch between two free-living states: planktonic, in which individual cells swim propelled by flagella, and sessile, in which bacteria form biofilms. Apart from being essential for locomotion, the flagellum has accessory functions during biofilm formation.
Research ArticleElucidating Essential Genes in Plant-Associated Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5 Using Transposon Insertion SequencingEssential genes are those crucial for survival or normal growth rates in an organism. Essential gene sets have been identified in numerous bacterial pathogens but only a few plant-associated bacteria.
Research ArticleThe Phosphatidyl-myo-Inositol Dimannoside Acyltransferase PatA Is Essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth In Vitro and In VivoTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The emergence of drug resistance in strains of M. tuberculosis, the etiologic agent of TB, emphasizes the need to identify new targets and antimicrobial agents.
Research ArticleOptimized Genetic Tools Allow the Biosynthesis of Glycocin F and Analogues Designed To Test the Roles of gcc Cluster Genes in Bacteriocin ProductionThe entire 7-gene cluster for the diglycosylated bacteriocin glycocin F (GccF), including the natural promoters responsible for gcc gene expression, has been ligated into the Escherichia coli-lactic acid bacteria (LAB) shuttle vector pRV610 to produce the easily modifiable 11.2-kbp plasmid pRV610gcc for the efficient production of glycocin F...
Research ArticleClostridium perfringens Produces an Adhesive Pilus Required for the Pathogenesis of Necrotic Enteritis in PoultryIn necrotic enteritis (NE), an intestinal disease of chickens, Clostridium perfringens cells adhere tightly to damaged intestinal tissue, but the factors involved are not known. We previously discovered a cluster of C. perfringens genes predicted to encode a pilus, a hair-like bacterial surface...
Research ArticleAlkaline pH Increases Swimming Speed and Facilitates Mucus Penetration for Vibrio choleraeThe diarrheal disease cholera is still a burden for populations in developing countries with poor sanitation. To develop effective vaccines and prevention strategies against Vibrio cholerae, we must understand the initial steps of infection leading to the colonization of the small intestine.
Research ArticleTK1211 Encodes an Amino Acid Racemase towards Leucine and Methionine in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensisPhylogenetic analysis of aminotransferase class III proteins from all domains of life reveals numerous groups of protein sequences. One of these groups includes a large number of sequences from Thermococcales species and can be divided into four subgroups.
Research ArticleDe Novo Cobalamin Biosynthesis, Transport, and Assimilation and Cobalamin-Mediated Regulation of Methionine Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium smegmatisAlterations in cobalamin-dependent metabolism have marked the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into a human pathogen. However, the role(s) of cobalamin in mycobacterial physiology remain poorly understood.
Research ArticleTusA Is a Versatile Protein That Links Translation Efficiency to Cell Division in Escherichia coliMore than 100 different modifications are found in RNAs. One of these modifications is the mnm5s2U modification at the wobble position 34 of tRNAs for Lys, Gln, and Glu.
Research ArticleStaphylococcus aureus Trigger Factor Is Involved in Biofilm Formation and Cooperates with the Chaperone PpiBS. aureus encodes a large number of virulence factors that aid the bacterium in survival and pathogenesis. These virulence factors have a wide variety of functions; however, they must all be properly secreted in order to be functional.
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Commentary
Transposon insertion sequencing is a useful tool to identify the genes that are essential for a bacterial species to grow and divide effectively. In this issue of Journal of Bacteriology, Fabian et al. present the first set of transposon insertion sequencing data highlighting the genes essential to the plant-commensal species Pseudomonas protegens strain Pf-5...