Articles tagged with Host Cells
Researchers found that mice and humans produce microRNAs to control bacterial gene activity and shape the gut microbiome. These microRNAs can protect against intestinal diseases by regulating the composition of gut microbes.
Researchers discovered how Qβ bacteriophage uses its host cell's proteins to replicate its genetic material, highlighting the importance of selectively replicating one's own genome. The study's findings may pave the way for novel treatments targeting viruses that struggle to distinguish between their own and host genetic material.
Researchers used genome sequencing to trace Ebola's spread in Liberia, finding that most cases were linked to a single introduction of the virus in September 2014. The study suggests that widespread migration within Liberia contributed to the outbreak's magnitude and longevity.
Researchers discovered how a common parasite, Toxoplasma, hijacks host cells to store food for decades, altering host behavior. The findings could lead to vaccines and drugs to protect against the parasite's serious risks, including miscarriage and birth defects.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of Ebola virus sequences from Liberia reveals a single introduction source, followed by local spread and diversification. The study also identified reintroductions as a key factor in the continuation of the outbreak in Guinea.
Researchers have uncovered the atomic-level structure of the bluetongue virus, providing a detailed understanding of its mechanism of entry into host cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective vaccines and treatments against this devastating disease.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that certain antibiotics used to treat MRSA can worsen the infection in mice. The study suggests that these antibiotics may induce inflammation and damage tissues, making patients sicker.
A pre-clinical study reveals that treatment with first-line antibiotics can make MRSA skin infections worse by inducing a harmful inflammatory response. Newer tests are being developed to quickly diagnose and treat these infections, but caution is needed before extending the findings to humans.
Researchers at Penn University discovered that inhibiting a calcium-signaling pathway can block the Ebola virus from exiting host cells and spreading, paving the way for potential broad-spectrum therapy. This approach has implications for treating multiple serious viral infections, including Marburg, Lassa, and Junin viruses.
A recent study found that diet-based and anti-inflammatory therapies alter different components of the microbial community without fully restoring the normal balance of gut bacteria and fungi in children with Crohn's disease. The treatment did not restore the normal balance of gut microbes, despite reducing inflammation.
Researchers at UMass Medical School have discovered two host cell membrane proteins, SERINC5 and SERINC3, that greatly reduce the virulence of HIV-1 by blocking its ability to infect new cells. This breakthrough offers a promising new anti-retroviral strategy for treating HIV-1 and similar viruses.
Researchers have developed a reliable method to trace viral evolution, supporting the hypothesis that viruses are alive and share a long evolutionary history with cells. The study found that viruses possess unique genetic sequences and protein folds that are unlike anything seen in cells.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a broadly neutralizing antibody that can recognize HIV's envelope spike in different conformations, making it easier to detect and neutralize the virus. This discovery could lead to the development of combination therapies to fight HIV, which is currently evolving rapidly.
Researchers have discovered how an emerging class of antibiotics targets bacterial membranes, showing promise in combating superbugs. The study reveals that these antimicrobial lipopeptides form micelles that stick to the bacterial membrane, selectively killing cells while sparing mammalian host cells.
The Toxoplasma parasite's ability to infect and grow within various cell types is attributed to its broad culinary tastes. However, this adaptability comes at the cost of energy expenditure. Researchers have identified a critical enzyme, TgFBP2, that plays a crucial role in the parasite's survival.
Researchers at UMN identified two key mutations in MERS virus enabling its transmission from bats to humans. These mutations allowed the virus to infect human cells, highlighting a crucial evolutionary strategy used by the virus.
A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has discovered how the toxins of Clostridium difficile bacteria enter the interiors of cells. The surface protein LSR receptor is responsible for binding to the CDT toxin, allowing it to penetrate the cell membrane and exert its lethal effect.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe finds a causal link between bacterial infection and gallbladder cancer, suggesting that controlling typhoid fever could reduce the risk of this type of cancer. The researchers propose that prevention through proper treatment with antibiotics, vaccination programs, or better sanitary conditions c...
Researchers discovered that bladder cells can physically eject bacteria that invade the host cell, similar to vomiting. This finding may help treat recurring UTIs by eliminating bacterial reservoirs in the bladder cells. The study also identified a potential way to accelerate and amplify this expulsion mechanism using chemical targets.
Scientists have found that certain bacteria produce tiny particles called vesicles that can provoke an immune response in the gut, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study highlights a potential target for IBD treatments, a bacterial enzyme that could help prevent symptoms.
A Swedish study of 98 infants found that C-section babies had a less similar gut microbiome to their mothers compared to vaginal births. The researchers also discovered that cessation of breastfeeding led to a shift in the infant's gut bacteria, with certain species more commonly seen in adults emerging.
Researchers discovered that bacterial viruses carry genetic instructions for producing an actin-like protein, which enables the transport of their DNA to host cells. This mechanism allows the virus to replicate its genome in bacteria lacking a cytoskeleton.
Researchers have identified a cellular receptor, CDHR3, for rhinovirus C, a cold-causing virus strongly associated with severe asthma attacks. A variant of the gene has been linked to an increased risk of childhood wheezing illnesses and asthma.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute analyzed two influenza strains, H10N8 and H6N1, and found that they have not acquired changes allowing them to infect humans easily. However, the viruses' versatility in attaching to host cells suggests continued caution against potential pandemics.
A comparative analysis by MIT researchers reveals mutations in the Indian H1N1 flu viruses that make them distinct from the 2009 vaccine strain. The study highlights the need for updated vaccination strategies to account for potential new viruses.
Scientists have discovered a new way to manipulate how cells function, improving the efficiency of DNA vaccines and gene therapy. The new method boosts protein production by up to 20 times, potentially leading to stronger immune responses and reduced side effects.
Researchers from Gladstone Institutes challenge conventional theory on HIV latency, proposing it's an evolutionarily advantageous survival tactic. The study reveals the virus controls its own on/off switch through protein Tat, enabling it to evade eradication by antiretroviral therapies.
Researchers from Scripps Florida have developed an anti-HIV agent that blocks all strains of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV, offering potential protection for at least eight months after injection. The new compound binds to the virus's envelope, preventing entry into host cells.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed nanomimics of host cell membranes that trick malaria parasites. These nanomimics effectively disrupt the parasite's cycle, blocking its invasion of new red blood cells while exposing it to the immune system.
Researchers at UW-Madison identified 1,300 host cell proteins the virus may use to infect cells, testing each protein to see whether eliminating it interferes with viral infectivity. The study aims to develop new drugs targeting cellular machinery rather than attacking the virus itself.
UC Davis researchers use new techniques in electron microscopy to study HIV and other viruses. They find that the gp120 trimer associates with gp41 to form a structure that allows HIV to enter host cells. The study also reveals how viruses hijack cellular processes to enter cells, shedding light on potential vaccine targets.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a new protein, Ssu72, that plays a critical role in HIV replication. The team found that Ssu72 binds to the Tat protein, revving up the engine of viral replication and potentially making it a target for drug therapy.
A new study by the University of Virginia challenges two current theories on how simple bacterial cells became mitochondria, proposing that they were initially parasitic. The research uses next-generation DNA sequencing technologies to decode the genomes of 18 bacteria close relatives of mitochondria.
Scientists discovered that a common protease enzyme furin activates MERS-CoV to fuse with cell membranes and enter host cells. Blocking this process could lead to treatment by preventing the virus from infecting cells. The study found two cleavage sites on the spike protein, allowing for more spread in animals or humans.
Researchers tested a stem cell transplant approach on infected rhesus macaques, finding that it failed to eliminate the HIV-like virus and its reservoirs. The study's results suggest that myeloablative total body irradiation can decrease viral reservoirs in blood cells, but may not be sufficient for a cure.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have discovered a new form of innate immune defence against certain RNA viruses, including those causing hepatitis C, yellow fever, and dengue fever. The NMD system, which is a quality control mechanism in cells, also serves as a general virus restriction mechanism in plants.
Researchers found that TIM-family proteins can block the release of HIV and Ebola viruses by attaching to lipids on the surface of viral particles. This discovery provides a potential approach to slow virus production and replication.
Researchers have discovered how Ebola blocks and disables the body's natural immune response. The protein VP24 disrupts a crucial early step in the virus's path to causing deadly disease. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for the deadly virus.
Scientists at Brown University have finally rendered the elusive viral 'machine' architecture of the lambda virus, mapping protein-DNA interactions that enable its genetic recombination mechanisms. The team's groundbreaking work provides a detailed understanding of how the virus integrates and extracts DNA from host cells.
Researchers found that cells are constantly fighting herpes virus, even in dormant phase, leading to potential new treatments. The study used genetically modified cells and viruses to measure virus activity, revealing varying levels of infection across different cells.
Dr. Frederic D. Bushman is recognized for his pioneering work on HIV reproduction and its application to advancing gene delivery methods. His research has contributed to the development of new vectors and targeting methods, informing safety profiles.
Researchers have discovered a bird flu virus with pandemic potential, closely related to the 1918 Spanish flu. The virus, composed of eight gene segments, can cause flu-like symptoms in ferrets and has the potential to spread efficiently among humans if it acquires key mutations.
Researchers have discovered a new coronavirus inhibitor that exhibits potent antiviral activity by blocking the hijacking of host membranes. This compound, called K22, prevents coronaviruses from usurping and re-shaping human host cell membranes to produce new virus particles.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals that a specific protein, EIIAGlc, is essential for Salmonella's ability to inject toxins into host cells and manipulate host processes. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing targeted treatments against life-threatening Salmonella infections.
A new study finds that immune cells can die to alert neighboring cells to the presence of infection, making it a potential anti-microbial strategy. Researchers discovered that caspase-8 plays a crucial role in this process, allowing infected host cells to spread the word about an infection.
Researchers have discovered how the HIV-fighting enzyme SAMHD1 works, allowing for potential new treatments to prevent HIV infection. By understanding its dual role in breaking down nucleotides and regulating its activity, scientists may be able to develop more effective prevention strategies.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the structural features that enable the innate immune system to distinguish viral from host RNAs. The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize specific patterns in viral RNAs, which differ from endogenous cellular RNAs.
A research team discovered an interferon-induced GTPase protein family that destroys bacterial camouflage, allowing cells to recognize and eliminate Salmonella. This finding sheds light on the immune system's strategies against bacterial pathogens.
Researchers identify two independent regulatory mechanisms controlling the human immune response, involving protein interactions between cGAS and Beclin-1 autophagy proteins. These findings have significant implications for understanding immune regulation and potentially harnessing its power to cure disease.
A new study reveals the 3D structure of HIV infection in the gut, showing how the virus infects immune cells and spreads through tissue. The researchers used electron tomography to visualize the architecture of infected parts of the gut, revealing details on viral transmission events.
Researchers developed a technique to study RSV's structure and activity in living cells, which could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs and a vaccine. The imaging technology uses probes that quickly attach to RNA within cells, allowing scientists to visualize the virus's entry, assembly, and replication.
Researchers identified a fungal surface protein that promotes host cell invasion in mucormycosis, while others found that melanocytes from light-skinned humans secrete a molecule promoting angiogenesis. These findings could lead to new treatments and biomarkers for diseases associated with increased vascularization.
Researchers analyzed 29 strains of the parasite and found that some South American or atypical North American strains provoke strong inflammation in infected cells, leading to tissue damage. The study suggests that host immune responses may be causing most of the damage rather than the parasite itself.
Scientists at the University of Maryland have developed a novel RNA-Seq analysis method that reveals the complex interplay between invading bacterial pathogens and their host mammalian cells. The study found that human immune responses to chlamydial infection contribute to disease, leading to tissue scarring.
Researchers studied the release of genetic material from viral capsids into host cell nuclei, finding that highly ordered DNA strands exit faster than tangled ones. The study's findings have implications for designing artificial viral vectors and understanding complete DNA stalling in experiments.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg discovered that intestinal bacteria regulate food transit time, controlling nutrient absorption. The hormone GLP-1 plays a key role in this process, influencing appetite control and insulin secretion.
Scientists have discovered a molecule called CNFy produced by the bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which facilitates the infection process by manipulating the host cells' molecular switches. This allows the bacteria to inject toxins into immune cells more efficiently, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Zurich allows them to display viral DNA in host cells at single-molecule resolution, revealing unexpected insights into its distribution and cell response. The technique uses click chemistry to label viral DNA without affecting its biological functions, enabling scientists to s...
Researchers have identified a link between mitochondrial development and the origins of some congenital heart defects. Mitochondria orchestrate events that determine a cell's future, including whether it becomes heart muscle cells.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that H7N9 avian flu viruses evolved from distinct H9N2 viruses through a two-step process. The viruses originated in wild birds and then continued to evolve in domestic birds, resulting in genetically diverse strains that could potentially spread among humans.