Biogenesis and functions of bacterial S-layers.

The outer surface of many archaea and bacteria is coated with a proteinaceous surface layer (known as an S-layer), which is formed by the self-assembly of monomeric proteins into a regularly spaced, two-dimensional array. Bacteria possess dedicated pathways for the secretion and anchoring of the S-layer to the cell wall, and some Gram-positive species have large S-layer-associated gene families. S-layers have important roles in growth and survival, and their many functions include the maintenance of cell integrity, enzyme display and, in pathogens and commensals, interaction with the host and its immune system. In this Review, we discuss our current knowledge of S-layer and related proteins, including their structures, mechanisms of secretion and anchoring and their diverse functions

Screen for Localized Proteins in Caulobacter crescentus

Precise localization of individual proteins is required for processes such as motility, chemotaxis, cell-cycle progression, and cell division in bacteria, but the number of proteins that are localized in bacterial species is not known. A screen based on transposon mutagenesis and fluorescence activated cell sorting was devised to identify large numbers of localized proteins, and employed in Caulobacter crescentus. From a sample of the clones isolated in the screen, eleven proteins with no previously characterized localization in C. crescentus were identified, including six hypothetical proteins. The localized hypothetical proteins included one protein that was localized in a helix-like structure, and two proteins for which the localization changed as a function of the cell cycle, suggesting that complex three-dimensional patterns and cell cycle-dependent localization are likely to be common in bacteria. Other mutants produced localized fusion proteins even though the transposon has inserted near the 5′ end of a gene, demonstrating that short peptides can contain sufficient information to localize bacterial proteins. The screen described here could be used in most bacterial species

Weaving the strands together for a stronger future: Responding to the mental health needs of Pacific children and young people

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to summarise the findings of a virtual workshop at the Creating Futures 2023 Conference held on October 18 with 45 participants attending from Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand. Brief presentations about future mental health needs of Pacific children & young people were followed by small group discussions. These focussed on how island nation participants could "make it real" by considering actions to promote mental health and wellbeing in their communities.ConclusionsA wide variety of actions and strategies were recommended, spanning the implementation of national plans, integrating culture, preventing suicide, including the voice of children and managing trauma. The small group discussions found that the range of responses to meet future needs demanded a broad public health response, significant workforce development and the promotion of mental health