Microbial defenses against mobile genetic elements and viruses: Who defends whom from what?
Prokaryotes have numerous mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that mediate horizontal gene
transfer (HGT) between cells. These elements can be costly, even deadly, and cells use …
transfer (HGT) between cells. These elements can be costly, even deadly, and cells use …
Viruses defined by the position of the virosphere within the replicator space
Originally, viruses were defined as miniscule infectious agents that passed through filters
that retain even the smallest cells. Subsequently, viruses were considered obligate …
that retain even the smallest cells. Subsequently, viruses were considered obligate …
Fungal small RNAs ride in extracellular vesicles to enter plant cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Small RNAs (sRNAs) of the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea can enter plant cells and hijack
host Argonaute protein 1 (AGO1) to silence host immunity genes. However, the mechanism …
host Argonaute protein 1 (AGO1) to silence host immunity genes. However, the mechanism …
[HTML][HTML] Plant mRNAs move into a fungal pathogen via extracellular vesicles to reduce infection
S Wang, B He, H Wu, Q Cai, O Ramírez-Sánchez… - Cell Host & Microbe, 2024 - cell.com
Cross-kingdom small RNA trafficking between hosts and microbes modulates gene
expression in the interacting partners during infection. However, whether other RNAs are …
expression in the interacting partners during infection. However, whether other RNAs are …
Identification and characterization of thousands of bacteriophage satellites across bacteria
Bacteriophage–bacteria interactions are affected by phage satellites, elements that exploit
phages for transfer between bacteria. Satellites can encode defense systems, antibiotic …
phages for transfer between bacteria. Satellites can encode defense systems, antibiotic …
Core defense hotspots within Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a consistent and rich source of anti-phage defense systems
Bacteria use a diverse arsenal of anti-phage immune systems, including CRISPR-Cas and
restriction enzymes. Recent advances in anti-phage system discovery and annotation tools …
restriction enzymes. Recent advances in anti-phage system discovery and annotation tools …
Phage-inducible chromosomal minimalist islands (PICMIs), a novel family of small marine satellites of virulent phages
R Barcia-Cruz, D Goudenège… - Nature …, 2024 - nature.com
Phage satellites are bacterial genetic elements that co-opt phage machinery for their own
dissemination. Here we identify a family of satellites, named Phage-Inducible Chromosomal …
dissemination. Here we identify a family of satellites, named Phage-Inducible Chromosomal …
Hijackers, hitchhikers, or co-drivers? The mysteries of mobilizable genetic elements
Mobile genetic elements shape microbial gene repertoires and populations. Recent results
reveal that many, possibly most, microbial mobile genetic elements require helpers to …
reveal that many, possibly most, microbial mobile genetic elements require helpers to …
Large language models improve annotation of prokaryotic viral proteins
Viral genomes are poorly annotated in metagenomic samples, representing an obstacle to
understanding viral diversity and function. Current annotation approaches rely on alignment …
understanding viral diversity and function. Current annotation approaches rely on alignment …
Marine viral particles reveal an expansive repertoire of phage-parasitizing mobile elements
Phage satellites are mobile genetic elements that propagate by parasitizing bacteriophage
replication. We report here the discovery of abundant and diverse phage satellites that were …
replication. We report here the discovery of abundant and diverse phage satellites that were …