Volume 12 Issue 8, August 2014

Two studies solve the structure of the LptD–LptE complex and elucidate how LPS is transported across the bacterial outer membrane.

TheMycobacterium ulceranstoxin mycolactone induces the angiotensin signalling pathway to decrease the sensation of pain from the inflicted lesions.

A newly discoveredPlasmodium falciparum exoribonuclease silences the expression of vargene transcripts, which are involved in the pathogenesis of severe malaria.

A new study shows that mammalian reovirus uses the protein receptor NgR1 for entry into neurons.

This month's Genome Watch discusses how whole-genome sequencing of bacterial pathogens complements existing techniques for analysing food-borne outbreaks.

Botulinum neurotoxins, which are the most powerful known toxins, are produced by toxigenic clostridia and cause persistent paralysis of peripheral nerve terminals by blocking neurotransmitter release. In this Review, Montecucco and colleagues discuss recent structural and molecular insights into the mechanisms of toxin entry into nerve terminals, membrane translocation and neuroparalysis.

Compared with traditional model bacteria, the processes of growth and division are unusual in mycobacteria. In this Review, Rubin and Kieser discuss polar growth, asymmetric division and cell wall remodelling in mycobacteria and consider how these processes might contribute to the population heterogeneity and pathogenesis ofMycobacterium tuberculosis.

Although studies in 2D cell culture systems have provided great insights into the biology and pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, such studies cannot account for many aspects of host physiology that affect HIV-1in vivo. Fackler et al. discuss the development and application of more integrative studies, including organotypic 3D culture systems, small-animal models and advanced live-cell imaging, and the impact of such studies on our understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-1 spread.

Humans can resist infection by African trypanosomes, owing to the trypanolytic activity of apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), which is associated with two serum complexes, trypanosome lytic factor 1 (TLF1) and TFL2.Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense evade this defence mechanism by expressing resistance proteins and in turn, populations in western Africa can restore resistance to T. b. rhodesiense via sequence variation in APOL1. Pays et. al. review this complex relationship and its evolutionary importance.

The development of a vaccine againstStaphylococcus aureusinfection has been the subject of an intensive research effort, but none of the vaccine trials has been successful so far. In this Opinion article, the authors suggest that an over-reliance on mouse models and a focus on targeting cell surface components have been major contributing factors to this failure.