Microbiology, Virology & Host Pathogen Interaction
- STING is redundant for host defense and pathology of COVID-19-like disease in mice
STING-deficient mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not show altered disease development or viral load, nor any major differences in inflammatory responses.
- Amphid sensory neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans orchestrate its survival from infection with broad classes of pathogens
This study shows that the nervous system of the bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans coordinates pathogen-specific and broad immune responses during infection.
- Expression of TMPRSS2 is up-regulated by bacterial flagellin, LPS, and Pam3Cys in human airway cells
The expression of the virus-activating protease TMPRSS2 in airway cells is enhanced by bacterial components. This may contribute to virus activation and replication in co-infections of IAV and bacteria.
- Spatial metabolomics for symbiotic marine invertebrates
Mass spectrometry imaging revealed in situ spatial metabolite distribution patterns at 50 μm resolution for sea anemones and scleractinian corals and their microalgal endosymbionts.
- Structural insights into ubiquitin chain cleavage by Legionella ovarian tumor deubiquitinases
Legionella possesses OTU deubiquitinases (Lot DUBs), which hinder the host ubiquitin system. We performed structural and biochemical analyses on the Lot DUBs and explained how Lot DUBs are different from other OTU-DUBs.
- The cytochrome b carboxyl terminal region is necessary for mitochondrial complex III assembly
Synthesis/assembly of Cytb, encoded in the mitochondrial DNA, are regulated by the Cytb C-terminus. It modifies the interaction Cytb-Cbp3/Cbp6 to control Cytb and respiratory complex III biogenesis.
- Low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP1) as an auxiliary host factor for RNA viruses
Plasma membrane–located low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP1 or CD91) is a host factor that supports the early infection stages of a spectrum of RNA viruses.
- The pro-inflammatory response to influenza A virus infection is fueled by endothelial cells
A co-culture model of human primary endothelial cells and organoid-derived epithelial cells shows that endothelial cells are abortively infected by influenza A virus but can drive the pro-inflammatory response.
- Intranasal soluble ACE2 improves survival and prevents brain SARS-CoV-2 infection
A soluble ACE2 protein bioengineered to have extended duration of action and enhanced affinity for SARS-CoV-2 provides markedly improved survival and organ protection when administered intranasally. Reducing brain SARS-CoV-2 titers is an important determinant of therapeutic efficacy.
- RopB represses the transcription of speB in the absence of SIP in group A Streptococcus
SIP-free RopB, in contrast to SpeB-inducing peptide (SIP)-bound RopB, is a transcriptional repressor of speB and mediates speB repression in the covS mutant.