Bacterial genetics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Avs proteins are bacterial anti-phage pattern recognition receptors evolutionarily related to eukaryotic NLRs. Here, Béchon et al show that a single bacterial Avs can recognize different phage proteins as a signature for infection, explaining the broad defensive range of Avs proteins.

Single-cell transcriptome analyses of growth phases in Escherichia coli identify a distinct transcriptional state occupied by antibiotic-tolerant persisters in which lon and yqgE have major roles.

This new study shows that the leading region of plasmids has a key role in overcoming host immunity by functioning as ‘anti-defence islands’ that protect the invading plasmid following entry.

Lauren Davey describes the importance of the gut commensal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and her work in developing methods to explore its role in gut health.

Plasmid coupling creates heterogeneity in copy number and, therefore, expression across a microbial population. We demonstrate that plasmid-encoded fitness differences between individuals can then lead to adaptation of the population to specific environments and can promote both genetic stability and memory of past environmental exposures.

This month’s Genome Watch highlights the use of genetic barcoding towards a better understanding of plant–microorganism interactions and colonization dynamics.

This study reports the mechanism of plasmid clearance by the DNA defence module DdmDE of the Vibrio cholerae seventh pandemic strain.

We provide evidence that intensive industrialization over the past century, particularly of the livestock trade, has facilitated host jumps and accumulation of antimicrobial resistance genes in Salmonella enterica, leading to the global transmission of this pathogen from Europe and the USA during the height of pork production.