S. Chiba

Botrytis cinerea detoxifies the sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin rishitin through multiple metabolizing pathways

This study shows Botrytis cinerea detoxifies rishitin through multiple oxidative pathways, enabling tolerance and reducing toxicity to other pathogens.

A role for the S4-domain containing protein YlmH in ribosome-associated quality control in Bacillus subtilis

This study identifies YlmH as a novel RQC factor in B. subtilis, showing it can replace RqcP in polyalanine tail addition and is conserved in bacteria lacking RqcP.

Resolution of ribosomal stalling by ABCF ATPases YfmR and YkpA/YbiT

This study identifies the roles of ABCF ATPases YfmR and YkpA/YbiT in resolving ribosomal stalling during protein synthesis in Bacillus subtilis.

Restoration of the Functional nif Gene Cluster by Seven Excision and Two Inversion Events during Heterocyst Development in the Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. NIES-4101

The paper identifies a complex recombination process involving seven excision and two inversion events that restores the fragmented nif gene cluster in Calothrix sp. NIES-4101 during heterocyst development.

Interaction between Solo and PDZ-RhoGEF is involved in actin cytoskeletal remodeling and response to substrate stiffness

This study identifies PDZ-RhoGEF as an interacting partner of Solo, showing their role in actin cytoskeletal remodeling and response to substrate stiffness.

Characterization of an EG.5.1 clinical isolate in vitro and in vivo

This study characterizes the in vitro and in vivo properties of the EG.5.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, showing increased transmissibility and altered antigenicity compared to XBB.1.5.

Induction of plant disease resistance by mixed oligosaccharide elicitors prepared from plant cell wall and crustacean shells

This study compares the elicitor activities of different oligosaccharides from plant cell walls and crustacean shells, showing that a mixture enhances disease resistance in tomato without inhibiting growth.

Functional characterization of Botrytis cinerea ABC transporter gene BcatrB in response to phytoalexins produced in plants belonging to families Solanaceae, Brassicaceae and Fabaceae

This study identifies BcatrB as a key transporter gene in Botrytis cinerea that mediates resistance to phytoalexins from Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae plants.

Botrytis cinerea identifies host plants via the recognition of antifungal capsidiol to induce expression of a specific detoxification gene

This study shows Botrytis cinerea distinguishes capsidiol from rishitin to activate specific detoxification genes, with Bccpdh being critical for virulence on capsidiol-producing plants.

Robustness of the ferret model for influenza risk assessment studies: a cross-laboratory exercise

This study evaluates the consistency of ferret transmission experiments across laboratories for two H1N1 influenza viruses, finding concordant results and suggesting a minimum of three to five labs for reliable risk assessment.

AP2/ERF transcription factor NbERF-IX-33 is involved in the regulation of phytoalexin production for the resistance of Nicotiana benthamiana to Phytophthora infestans.

This study identifies NbERF-IX-33 as a transcription factor regulating phytoalexin production in N. benthamiana in response to INF1 treatment from P. infestans.

Two structurally different oomycete lipophilic MAMPs induce distinctive plant immune responses.

This study identifies two structurally distinct oomycete MAMPs, ceramides and diacylglycerols, that induce different plant immune responses through unique molecular patterns.

Massive occurrence of benthic plastic debris at the abyssal seafloor beneath the Kuroshio Extension, the North West Pacific

The paper quantifies plastic debris on the abyssal seafloor beneath the Kuroshio Extension, finding high densities of single-use plastics, indicating the Northwest Pacific deep-sea basin is a major plastic reservoir.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats imposes a narrow bottleneck

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 in cats has limited within-host genetic variation and a narrow transmission bottleneck, with a variant H655Y emerging and spreading across transmission pairs.

SARS-CoV-2 D614G Variant Exhibits Enhanced Replication ex vivo and Earlier Transmission in vivo

This study shows the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant replicates more efficiently and transmits faster in hamsters than the wildtype virus.

Contrasting species functional trait structuring of subarctic versus subtropical copepod communities

The paper contrasts functional trait structuring in subarctic and subtropical copepod communities, finding that traits influence fitness more in subarctic regions than in subtropical ones.

Phenotypic determinism and contingency in the evolution of hypothetical tree-like organisms

This study uses a model of tree-like organisms to show that higher mutation rates increase phenotypic determinism, while lower mutation rates enhance contingency and diversity through phenotypic plasticity.