J. Biboy

Surface versus volume synthesis governs growth-dependent efficacy of a β-lactam antibiotic

This study shows that mecillinam affects the balance between surface area and volume synthesis in E. coli, leading to growth-rate dependent efficacy and lysis or sustained growth depending on the medium.

A dynamic bactofilin cytoskeleton cooperates with an M23 endopeptidase to control bacterial morphogenesis

This study identifies bactofilin and M23 peptidase interactions that regulate bacterial cell shape by controlling cell wall biosynthesis in two alphaproteobacteria.

DipM controls multiple autolysins and mediates two regulatory feedback loops promoting cell constriction in C. crescentus

This paper identifies DipM as a LytM factor that regulates autolysins through two feedback loops to promote cell constriction in C. crescentus.

Molecular characterization of the type VI secretion system effector Tlde1a reveals a structurally altered LD-transpeptidase fold

This study determines the X-ray crystal structure of Tlde1a, a T6SS effector from Salmonella Typhimurium, revealing its unique LD-transpeptidase fold and functional mechanisms.

Antibacterial potency of Type VI amidase effector toxins is dependent on substrate topology and cellular context

This study identifies functional determinants of Tae1, a bacterial T6SS amidase toxin, showing that its antimicrobial potency depends on substrate topology and cellular context.

Peptidoglycan recycling contributes to outer membrane integrity and carbapenem tolerance in Acinetobacter baumannii

This study identifies peptidoglycan recycling as a mechanism contributing to outer membrane integrity and carbapenem tolerance in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Asymmetric peptidoglycan editing generates the curvature of predatory bacteria, optimizing invasion and replication within a spherical prey niche

The paper identifies Bd1075 as a peptidoglycan-editing enzyme in Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus that generates asymmetric curvature, enhancing invasion and replication within spherical prey.

Immune factor of bacterial origin protects ticks against host microbial commensals

This study shows that a bacterial-derived immune factor in ticks protects them from host skin microbes but not from Lyme disease bacteria, revealing a complex interplay between ticks, their microbes, and hosts.

MreC and MreD balance the interaction between the elongasome proteins PBP2 and RodA

The paper investigates how MreC and MreD regulate the interaction between PBP2 and RodA in the elongasome, showing that MreC modulates this interaction while MreD suppresses it, suggesting a mechanism for controlling elongasome activity.

Distinct cytoskeletal proteins define zones of enhanced cell wall synthesis in Helicobacter pylori

The paper identifies cytoskeletal proteins that regulate cell wall synthesis in Helicobacter pylori, linking their distribution to specific Gaussian curvatures that maintain helical shape.

A specialized MreB-dependent complex mediates the formation of stalk-specific peptidoglycan in Caulobacter crescentus

The protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis targets bacteria with laterally-acquired NlpC/P60 peptidoglycan hydrolases

This study identifies laterally-acquired NlpC/P60 peptidoglycan hydrolases in Trichomonas vaginalis that degrade bacterial peptoglycan, enabling the parasite to compete with bacteria in mixed cultures.