A prokaryotic Argonaute protein recruits a helicase-nuclease to degrade invading plasmids.

DdmDE is a novel plasmid defense system that was discovered in the seventh pandemic Vibrio cholerae strain of the biotype O1 EI Tor. In this issue of Cell, Yang and coworkers reveal the mechanisms underlying the assembly and activation of the DdmDE defense system.

Peroxynitrite in the tumor microenvironment changes the profile of antigens allowing escape from cancer immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy often depends on recognition of peptide epitopes by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The tumor microenvironment (TME) is enriched for peroxynitrite (PNT), a potent oxidant produced by infiltrating myeloid cells and some tumor cells. We demonstrate that PNT alters the profile of MHC class I bound peptides presented on tumor cells.

Generation of Sequencing Libraries for Structural Analysis of Bacterial 5' UTRs.

The structure of 5' untranslated regions (5' UTRs) of bacterial mRNAs often determines the fate of the transcripts. Using a dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MaPseq) approach, we developed a protocol to generate sequence libraries to determine the base-pairing status of adenines and cytosines in the 5' UTRs of bacterial mRNAs. Our method increases the sequencing depth of the 5' UTRs and allows detection of changes in their structures by sequencing libraries of moderate sizes.

An mRNA-mRNA Interaction Couples Expression of a Virulence Factor and Its Chaperone in Listeria monocytogenes.

Bacterial pathogens often employ RNA regulatory elements located in the 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) to control gene expression. Using a comparative structural analysis, we examine the structure of 5' UTRs at a global scale in the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes under different conditions. In addition to discovering an RNA thermoswitch and detecting simultaneous interaction of ribosomes and small RNAs with mRNA, we identify structural changes in the 5' UTR of an mRNA encoding the post-translocation chaperone PrsA2 during infection conditions.

MTS1338, A Small RNA, Regulates Transcriptional Shifts Consistent With Bacterial Adaptation for Entering Into Dormancy and Survival Within Host Macrophages.

Small non-coding RNAs play a significant role in bacterial adaptation to changing environmental conditions. We investigated the dynamics of expression of MTS1338, a small non-coding RNA of , in the mouse model , regulation of its expression in the infected macrophages, and the consequences of its overexpression in bacterial cultures. Here we demonstrate that MTS1338 significantly contributes to host-pathogen interactions.

The σ-dependent regulatory sRNA Rli47 represses isoleucine biosynthesis in through a direct interaction with the transcript.

The facultative intracellular pathogen can persist and grow in a diverse range of environmental conditions, both outside and within its mammalian host. The alternative sigma factor Sigma B (σ) plays an important role in this adaptability and is critical for the transition into the host. While some of the functions of the σ regulon in facilitating this transition are understood the role of σ-dependent small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) remain poorly characterized.

RNA-mediated signal perception in pathogenic bacteria.

Bacterial pathogens encounter several different environments during an infection, many of them possibly being detrimental. In order to sense its surroundings and adjust the gene expression accordingly, different regulatory schemes are undertaken. With these, the bacterium appropriately can differentiate between various environmental cues to express the correct virulence factor at the appropriate time and place.

Dormant non-culturable Mycobacterium tuberculosis retains stable low-abundant mRNA.

Background: Dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli are believed to play an important role in latent tuberculosis infection. Previously, we have demonstrated that cultivation of M. tuberculosis in K(+)-deficient medium resulted in generation of dormant cells.

RNA-Seq analysis of Mycobacterium avium non-coding transcriptome.

Deep sequencing was implemented to study the transcriptional landscape of Mycobacterium avium. High-resolution transcriptome analysis identified the transcription start points for 652 genes. One third of these genes represented leaderless transcripts, whereas the rest of the transcripts had 5' UTRs with the mean length of 83 nt.

Mycobacterium avium-triggered diseases: pathogenomics.

The species Mycobacterium avium includes several subspecies representing highly specialized avian and mammalian pathogens, non-obligatory pathogens of immune compromised humans and saprophitic organisms. Recently obtained information concerning the diversity of M. avium genomic structures not only clarified phylogenic relationships within this species, but began to shed light on the question of how such closely related microorganisms adapt to the occupation of distinct ecological niches.