Pub Date : 2024-06-21DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102497
Daniel S Trettel , Cheryl A Kerfeld , Cesar R Gonzalez-Esquer
Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are polyhedral structures that segregate enzymatic cargo from the cytosol via encapsulation within a protein shell. Unlike other biological polyhedra, such as viral capsids and encapsulins, BMC shells can exhibit a highly advantageous structural and functional plasticity, conforming to a variety of anabolic (CO2 fixation in carboxysomes) and catabolic (nutrient assimilation in metabolosomes) roles. Consequently, understanding the subunit properties and associated protein–protein interaction processes that guide shell assembly and function is a necessary step to fully harness BMCs as modular, biotechnological nanomachines. Here, we describe the recent insights into the dynamics of structural features of the key BMC domain (Pfam00936)-containing proteins, which serve as a structural template for BMC-H and BMC-T shell building blocks.
{"title":"Dynamic structural determinants in bacterial microcompartment shells","authors":"Daniel S Trettel , Cheryl A Kerfeld , Cesar R Gonzalez-Esquer","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102497","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102497","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are polyhedral structures that segregate enzymatic cargo from the cytosol via encapsulation within a protein shell. Unlike other biological polyhedra, such as viral capsids and encapsulins, BMC shells can exhibit a highly advantageous structural and functional plasticity, conforming to a variety of anabolic (CO<sub>2</sub> fixation in carboxysomes) and catabolic (nutrient assimilation in metabolosomes) roles. Consequently, understanding the subunit properties and associated protein–protein interaction processes that guide shell assembly and function is a necessary step to fully harness BMCs as modular, biotechnological nanomachines. Here, we describe the recent insights into the dynamics of structural features of the key BMC domain (Pfam00936)-containing proteins, which serve as a structural template for BMC-H and BMC-T shell building blocks.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102497"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000730/pdfft?md5=2e910502ba77b4682b331f3fa92fcb86&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000730-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141438700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-13DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102496
Teresa E Pawlowska
Symbiotic interactions between fungi and bacteria range from positive to negative. They are ubiquitous in free-living as well as host-associated microbial communities worldwide. Yet, the impact of fungal–bacterial symbioses on the organization and dynamics of microbial communities is uncertain. There are two reasons for this uncertainty: (1) knowledge gaps in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underpinning fungal–bacterial symbioses and (2) prevailing interpretations of ecological theory that favor antagonistic interactions as drivers stabilizing biological communities despite the existence of models emphasizing contributions of positive interactions. This review synthesizes information on fungal–bacterial symbioses common in the free-living microbial communities of the soil as well as in host-associated polymicrobial biofilms. The interdomain partnerships are considered in the context of the relevant community ecology models, which are discussed critically.
{"title":"Symbioses between fungi and bacteria: from mechanisms to impacts on biodiversity","authors":"Teresa E Pawlowska","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102496","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102496","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Symbiotic interactions between fungi and bacteria range from positive to negative. They are ubiquitous in free-living as well as host-associated microbial communities worldwide. Yet, the impact of fungal–bacterial symbioses on the organization and dynamics of microbial communities is uncertain. There are two reasons for this uncertainty: (1) knowledge gaps in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underpinning fungal–bacterial symbioses and (2) prevailing interpretations of ecological theory that favor antagonistic interactions as drivers stabilizing biological communities despite the existence of models emphasizing contributions of positive interactions. This review synthesizes information on fungal–bacterial symbioses common in the free-living microbial communities of the soil as well as in host-associated polymicrobial biofilms. The interdomain partnerships are considered in the context of the relevant community ecology models, which are discussed critically.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102496"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000729/pdfft?md5=24e0b032b3b712dbea8582e2ff01c98c&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000729-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141314917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-05DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102492
Julien Herrou, Dorothée Murat, Tâm Mignot
Myxococcus relies on motility to efficiently invade and predate a prey colony. Upon contact with prey, Myxococcus temporarily halts its motility and initiates prey cell lysis, which involves two contact-dependent predatory machineries, the Kil system and the needleless T3SS*. Predatory cells grow as they invade and feed on prey cells. When dividing, Myxococcus cells systematically pause their movements before division. This highlights a high level of co-ordination between motility and contact-dependent killing but also with cell division. In this review, we give an overview of the different nanomachines used by Myxococcus to move on surfaces, kill by contact, and divide, and we discuss the potential regulatory mechanisms at play during these different processes.
{"title":"Gear up! An overview of the molecular equipment used by Myxococcus to move, kill, and divide in prey colonies","authors":"Julien Herrou, Dorothée Murat, Tâm Mignot","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102492","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Myxococcus</em> relies on motility to efficiently invade and predate a prey colony. Upon contact with prey, <em>Myxococcus</em> temporarily halts its motility and initiates prey cell lysis, which involves two contact-dependent predatory machineries, the Kil system and the needleless T3SS*. Predatory cells grow as they invade and feed on prey cells. When dividing, <em>Myxococcus</em> cells systematically pause their movements before division. This highlights a high level of co-ordination between motility and contact-dependent killing but also with cell division. In this review, we give an overview of the different nanomachines used by <em>Myxococcus</em> to move on surfaces, kill by contact, and divide, and we discuss the potential regulatory mechanisms at play during these different processes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102492"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000687/pdfft?md5=c4fbf779d81e3dbb8ec0b85aebc6f54c&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000687-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141263737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-03DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102493
Elena Lindemann-Perez, J. Christian Perez
Candida albicans is a ubiquitous fungus of humans. It is not only a component of the oral and intestinal microbiota of most healthy adults but also a major cause of mucosal disorders and life-threatening disseminated infections. Until recently, research on the biology and pathogenesis of the fungus was largely based on a single clinical isolate. We review investigations that have started to dissect a diverse set of C. albicans strains. Using different approaches to leverage the species’ phenotypic and/or genetic diversity, these studies illuminate the wide range of interactions between fungus and host. While connecting genetic variants to phenotypes of interest remains challenging, research on C. albicans’ natural diversity is central to understand fungal commensalism and pathogenesis.
{"title":"Candida albicans natural diversity: a resource to dissect fungal commensalism and pathogenesis","authors":"Elena Lindemann-Perez, J. Christian Perez","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102493","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Candida albicans</em> is a ubiquitous fungus of humans. It is not only a component of the oral and intestinal microbiota of most healthy adults but also a major cause of mucosal disorders and life-threatening disseminated infections. Until recently, research on the biology and pathogenesis of the fungus was largely based on a single clinical isolate. We review investigations that have started to dissect a diverse set of <em>C. albicans</em> strains. Using different approaches to leverage the species’ phenotypic and/or genetic diversity, these studies illuminate the wide range of interactions between fungus and host. While connecting genetic variants to phenotypes of interest remains challenging, research on <em>C. albicans</em>’ natural diversity is central to understand fungal commensalism and pathogenesis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102493"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141239944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-03DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102491
Valentina del Olmo , Toni Gabaldón
Hybridisation is the crossing of two divergent lineages that give rise to offspring carrying an admixture of both parental genomes. Genome sequencing has revealed that this process is common in the Saccharomycotina, where a growing number of hybrid strains or species, including many pathogenic ones, have been recently described. Hybrids can display unique traits that may drive adaptation to new niches, and some pathogenic hybrids have been shown to have higher prevalence over their parents in human and environmental niches, suggesting a higher fitness and potential to colonise humans. Here, we discuss how hybridisation and its genomic and phenotypic outcomes can shape the evolution of fungal species and may play a role in the emergence of new pathogens.
{"title":"Hybrids unleashed: exploring the emergence and genomic insights of pathogenic yeast hybrids","authors":"Valentina del Olmo , Toni Gabaldón","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hybridisation is the crossing of two divergent lineages that give rise to offspring carrying an admixture of both parental genomes. Genome sequencing has revealed that this process is common in the Saccharomycotina, where a growing number of hybrid strains or species, including many pathogenic ones, have been recently described. Hybrids can display unique traits that may drive adaptation to new niches, and some pathogenic hybrids have been shown to have higher prevalence over their parents in human and environmental niches, suggesting a higher fitness and potential to colonise humans. Here, we discuss how hybridisation and its genomic and phenotypic outcomes can shape the evolution of fungal species and may play a role in the emergence of new pathogens.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102491"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000675/pdfft?md5=441a67007d4a4dbc5cc5874b3d06c1ba&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000675-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141239945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102494
Aryan Shekarabi, Izhan Qureishy, Chloe H Puglisi, Marge Dalseth, Helen E Vuong
Animals harbor a diverse array of symbiotic micro-organisms that coexist in communities across different body sites. These microbes maintain host homeostasis and respond to environmental insults to impact host physiological processes. Trillions of indigenous microbes reside in the gastrointestinal tract and engage with the host central nervous system (microbiota–gut–brain axis) by modulating immune responses, interacting with gut intrinsic and extrinsic nervous system, and regulating neuromodulators and biochemicals. These gut microbiota to brain signaling pathways are constantly informed by each other and are hypothesized to mediate brain health across the lifespan. In this review, we will examine the crosstalk of gut microbiota to brain communications in neurological pathologies, with an emphasis on microbial metabolites and neuromodulators, and provide a discussion of recent advances that help elucidate the microbiota as a therapeutic target for treating brain and behavioral disorders.
{"title":"Host–microbe interactions: communication in the microbiota–gut–brain axis","authors":"Aryan Shekarabi, Izhan Qureishy, Chloe H Puglisi, Marge Dalseth, Helen E Vuong","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102494","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Animals harbor a diverse array of symbiotic micro-organisms that coexist in communities across different body sites. These microbes maintain host homeostasis and respond to environmental insults to impact host physiological processes. Trillions of indigenous microbes reside in the gastrointestinal tract and engage with the host central nervous system (microbiota–gut–brain axis) by modulating immune responses, interacting with gut intrinsic and extrinsic nervous system, and regulating neuromodulators and biochemicals. These gut microbiota to brain signaling pathways are constantly informed by each other and are hypothesized to mediate brain health across the lifespan. In this review, we will examine the crosstalk of gut microbiota to brain communications in neurological pathologies, with an emphasis on microbial metabolites and neuromodulators, and provide a discussion of recent advances that help elucidate the microbiota as a therapeutic target for treating brain and behavioral disorders.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102494"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141198994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102490
Amilcar J. Perez, Jie Xiao
In this review, we explore the regulation of septal peptidoglycan (sPG) synthesis in bacterial cell division, a critical process for cell viability and proper morphology. Recent single-molecule imaging studies have revealed the processive movement of the FtsW:bPBP synthase complex along the septum, shedding light on the spatiotemporal dynamics of sPG synthases and their regulators. In diderm bacteria (E. coli and C. crescentus), the movement occurs at two distinct speeds, reflecting active synthesis or inactivity driven by FtsZ-treadmilling. In monoderm bacteria (B. subtilis, S. pneumoniae, and S. aureus), however, these enzymes exhibit only the active sPG-track-coupled processive movement. By comparing the dynamics of sPG synthases in these organisms and that of class-A penicillin-binding proteins in vivo and in vitro, we propose a unifying model for septal cell wall synthesis regulation across species, highlighting the roles of the sPG- and Z-tracks in orchestrating a robust bacterial cell wall constriction process.
在这篇综述中,我们探讨了细菌细胞分裂过程中隔肽聚糖(sPG)合成的调控,这是细胞存活和正常形态的关键过程。最近的单分子成像研究揭示了 FtsW:bPBP 合成酶复合物沿着隔膜的过程性运动,从而揭示了 sPG 合成酶及其调控因子的时空动态。在双胚层细菌(大肠杆菌和新月体杆菌)中,这种运动以两种不同的速度进行,反映出 FtsZ 驱动的合成活跃或不活跃。然而,在单胚层细菌(枯草杆菌、肺炎双球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌)中,这些酶只表现出活跃的 sPG 轨道耦合过程性运动。通过比较这些生物体内的 sPG 合成酶和 A 类青霉素结合蛋白在体内和体外的动态,我们提出了一个跨物种隔细胞壁合成调控的统一模型,强调了 sPG- 和 Z 轨道在协调强大的细菌细胞壁收缩过程中的作用。
{"title":"Stay on track — revelations of bacterial cell wall synthesis enzymes and things that go by single-molecule imaging","authors":"Amilcar J. Perez, Jie Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this review, we explore the regulation of septal peptidoglycan (sPG) synthesis in bacterial cell division, a critical process for cell viability and proper morphology. Recent single-molecule imaging studies have revealed the processive movement of the FtsW:bPBP synthase complex along the septum, shedding light on the spatiotemporal dynamics of sPG synthases and their regulators. In diderm bacteria (<em>E. coli</em> and <em>C. crescentus</em>), the movement occurs at two distinct speeds, reflecting active synthesis or inactivity driven by FtsZ-treadmilling. In monoderm bacteria (<em>B. subtilis, S. pneumoniae</em>, and <em>S. aureus</em>), however, these enzymes exhibit only the active sPG-track-coupled processive movement. By comparing the dynamics of sPG synthases in these organisms and that of class-A penicillin-binding proteins <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em>, we propose a unifying model for septal cell wall synthesis regulation across species, highlighting the roles of the sPG- and Z-tracks in orchestrating a robust bacterial cell wall constriction process.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102490"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141184175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102488
Benjamin J Chadwick, Xiaorong Lin
Carbon dioxide supplies carbon for photosynthetic species and is a major product of respiration for all life forms. Inside the human body where CO2 is a by-product of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, its level reaches 5% or higher. In the ambient atmosphere, ∼.04% of the air is CO2. Different organisms can tolerate different CO2 levels to various degrees, and experiencing higher CO2 is toxic and can lead to death. The fungal kingdom shows great variations in response to CO2 that has been documented by different researchers at different time periods. This literature review aims to connect these studies, highlight mechanisms underlying tolerance to high levels of CO2, and emphasize the effects of CO2 on fungal metabolism and morphogenesis.
{"title":"Effects of CO2 in fungi","authors":"Benjamin J Chadwick, Xiaorong Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Carbon dioxide supplies carbon for photosynthetic species and is a major product of respiration for all life forms. Inside the human body where CO<sub>2</sub> is a by-product of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, its level reaches 5% or higher. In the ambient atmosphere, ∼.04% of the air is CO<sub>2</sub>. Different organisms can tolerate different CO<sub>2</sub> levels to various degrees, and experiencing higher CO<sub>2</sub> is toxic and can lead to death. The fungal kingdom shows great variations in response to CO<sub>2</sub> that has been documented by different researchers at different time periods. This literature review aims to connect these studies, highlight mechanisms underlying tolerance to high levels of CO<sub>2</sub>, and emphasize the effects of CO<sub>2</sub> on fungal metabolism and morphogenesis.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102488"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140951027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102489
Jorge Amich
Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for life, and consequently, all living organisms must acquire it from external sources to thrive and grow. Sulfur is a constituent of a multitude of crucial molecules, such as the S-containing proteinogenic amino acids cysteine and methionine; cofactors and prosthetic groups, such as coenzyme-A and iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters; and other essential organic molecules, such as glutathione or S-adenosylmethionine. Additionally, sulfur in cysteine thiols is an active redox group that plays paramount roles in protein stability, enzyme catalysis, and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, H2S is gaining more attention as a crucial signaling molecule that influences metabolism and physiological functions. Given its importance, it is not surprising that sulfur plays key roles in the host–pathogen interaction. However, in contrast to its well-recognized involvement in the plant–pathogen interaction, the specific contributions of sulfur to the human–fungal interaction are much less understood. In this short review, I highlight some of the most important known mechanisms and propose directions for further research.
硫是生命必需的宏量营养素,因此,所有生物都必须从外界获取硫,才能茁壮成长。硫是多种重要分子的组成成分,如含 S 的蛋白质氨基酸半胱氨酸和蛋氨酸、辅酶 A 和铁硫(Fe-S)簇等辅助因子和修复基团,以及谷胱甘肽或 S-腺苷蛋氨酸等其他重要有机分子。此外,半胱氨酸硫醇中的硫是一个活跃的氧化还原基团,在蛋白质稳定性、酶催化和氧化还原平衡中发挥着重要作用。此外,H2S 作为一种影响新陈代谢和生理功能的重要信号分子,正受到越来越多的关注。鉴于其重要性,硫在宿主与病原体的相互作用中发挥关键作用也就不足为奇了。然而,与人们公认的硫在植物与病原体相互作用中的作用不同,人们对硫在人类与真菌相互作用中的具体作用的了解要少得多。在这篇简短的综述中,我将重点介绍一些最重要的已知机制,并提出进一步研究的方向。
{"title":"The many roles of sulfur in the fungal–host interaction","authors":"Jorge Amich","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for life, and consequently, all living organisms must acquire it from external sources to thrive and grow. Sulfur is a constituent of a multitude of crucial molecules, such as the S-containing proteinogenic amino acids cysteine and methionine; cofactors and prosthetic groups, such as coenzyme-A and iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters; and other essential organic molecules, such as glutathione or S-adenosylmethionine. Additionally, sulfur in cysteine thiols is an active redox group that plays paramount roles in protein stability, enzyme catalysis, and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, H<sub>2</sub>S is gaining more attention as a crucial signaling molecule that influences metabolism and physiological functions. Given its importance, it is not surprising that sulfur plays key roles in the host–pathogen interaction. However, in contrast to its well-recognized involvement in the plant–pathogen interaction, the specific contributions of sulfur to the human–fungal interaction are much less understood. In this short review, I highlight some of the most important known mechanisms and propose directions for further research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102489"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140947009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102487
Jana K Schniete , Lorena T Fernández-Martínez
Natural products (NPs) produced by bacteria, particularly soil actinomycetes, often possess diverse bioactivities and play a crucial role in human health, agriculture, and biotechnology. Soil actinomycete genomes contain a vast number of predicted biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) yet to be exploited. Understanding the factors governing NP production in an ecological context and activating cryptic and silent BGCs in soil actinomycetes will provide researchers with a wealth of molecules with potential novel applications. Here, we highlight recent advances in NP discovery strategies employing ecology-inspired approaches and discuss the importance of understanding the environmental signals responsible for activation of NP production, particularly in a soil microbial community context, as well as the challenges that remain.
{"title":"Natural product discovery in soil actinomycetes: unlocking their potential within an ecological context","authors":"Jana K Schniete , Lorena T Fernández-Martínez","doi":"10.1016/j.mib.2024.102487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2024.102487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Natural products (NPs) produced by bacteria, particularly soil actinomycetes, often possess diverse bioactivities and play a crucial role in human health, agriculture, and biotechnology. Soil actinomycete genomes contain a vast number of predicted biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) yet to be exploited. Understanding the factors governing NP production in an ecological context and activating cryptic and silent BGCs in soil actinomycetes will provide researchers with a wealth of molecules with potential novel applications. Here, we highlight recent advances in NP discovery strategies employing ecology-inspired approaches and discuss the importance of understanding the environmental signals responsible for activation of NP production, particularly in a soil microbial community context, as well as the challenges that remain.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":10921,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in microbiology","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102487"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527424000638/pdfft?md5=df9981f59dba1f3ab116f3c009e39300&pid=1-s2.0-S1369527424000638-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140906836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}