About this Research Topic
The bacterial surface is an essential structure that mediates all interactions between a cell and its immediate extracellular environment. Polymers are key components of this surface architecture and play key roles in a multitude of cellular functions including cell division and spatial organization, mediation of molecule trafficking, protection from antimicrobial agents, interaction with and evasion of the host. For instance, in Gram-positive cells, the lipoteichoic acid is essential for normal growth while other polymers, such as the Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide and capsule, confer distinctive virulence traits. Their importance is highlighted by the tight regulation of their synthesis, complex molecular machinery driving their biosynthesis, and the metabolic costs invested in their production. Given the importance of surface polymers for bacterial physiology, it is not surprising that many prophylactic or therapeutic strategies, such as vaccines or antibiotics, target surface polymers.
Goal and scope
With this Research Topic, we would like to give an overview of recent findings around bacterial surface polymers, their physiological role, and their regulation. Therefore, we welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, minireviews, and perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
Regulation – genetic regulation involving interaction with known two-component systems, DNA-binding proteins, RNome; regulation and environmental sensing and/or cell wall stress / damage
Recognition – detection of bacterial polymers by host immunity, inducing innate and/or adaptive immune responses; encapsulate research involving bacterial polymers as components in vaccines/immunotherapeutics
Virulence – the role of bacterial polymers during pathogenesis, specifically during initial colonization, immune evasion, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance (could be its own sub-section)
Therapy – targeting bacterial polymers as an antimicrobial strategy. WTA and LTA inhibition, capsule polysaccharide antibodies, small molecule inhibitors
Goal and scope
With this Research Topic, we would like to give an overview of recent findings around bacterial surface polymers, their physiological role, and their regulation. Therefore, we welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, minireviews, and perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
Regulation – genetic regulation involving interaction with known two-component systems, DNA-binding proteins, RNome; regulation and environmental sensing and/or cell wall stress / damage
Recognition – detection of bacterial polymers by host immunity, inducing innate and/or adaptive immune responses; encapsulate research involving bacterial polymers as components in vaccines/immunotherapeutics
Virulence – the role of bacterial polymers during pathogenesis, specifically during initial colonization, immune evasion, biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance (could be its own sub-section)
Therapy – targeting bacterial polymers as an antimicrobial strategy. WTA and LTA inhibition, capsule polysaccharide antibodies, small molecule inhibitors
Keywords: bacterial surface polymers, host immunity, Gram-positive, Gram-negative, host interaction
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
