A gain-of-function in a new chemical defense resulted in no trade-offs and and independent evolution between novel and ancestral defenses, suggesting low redundancy among different defensive chemicals.

The sensory regulatory system of the cholera causative involves the detection of bile acids by direct interaction with the inner membrane protein complex formed by ToxR and ToxS, thereby inducing concentration-dependent structural changes.

Biochemical analyses and the crystal structure of TtsA reveal fundamental insight into the mechanisms by which this muramidase recognizes its peptidoglycan substrate to facilitate typhoid toxin secretion.

For the first time, action potentials and subthreshold postsynaptic potentials of almost all individual identifiable neurons within a functional unit of the leech nervous system were simultaneously imaged during sensory processing and behavioral generation.

Serial cell-to-cell transfer of lipoprotein toxins by outer membrane exchange provides a potent platform for kin discrimination in Myxococcus xanthus.

Genetic and microscopy analyses identify a programmed cell death mechanism that kills a cell subpopulation in a bacterial biofilm where oxygen is limiting, thereby promoting dispersion of newborn motile cells through the action of DNA released by dead cells.

Beneficial symbiotic bacteria encode an exceptional number of toxin-related genes that are all expressed by the symbionts in the host, supporting their key role in host-microbe interactions.

Poxin enzymes are a diverse family of insect and viral 2′3′-cGAMP nucleases, which evolved from self-cleaving RNA virus accessory proteases.

Blocking of the function of neurotransmitter receptors by insecticidal peptide toxins resulted in identification of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits through native ligand-binding investigations.

Voltage-dye imaging followed by serial blockface electron microscopy of the same ganglion reveals structure–function relationships of leech motor behaviors.