Articles tagged with Host Cells
EPFL researchers dismantled a bacterial nano-machine that kills host cells by piercing membranes. The discovery opens new therapeutic perspectives, including coating catheters with substitute peptides to prevent infection.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a novel mechanism by which Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria cause illness. The study reveals how the bacteria's effector protein, VopQ, disrupts autophagy by forming gated ion channels.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute discover Chlamydia promotes gene mutations, impairing DNA damage response and leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The infection can cause chronic damage, increasing risk of cervical and ovarian cancer.
A study reveals how viral protein 40 allows Ebola to leave host cells and spread infection, paving the way for new drug candidates. Mutating VP40's C-terminal domain reduces its effectiveness in binding to plasma membranes.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered how the SAMHD1 protein regulates HIV-1 replication in white blood cells. Phosphorylation of SAMHD1 is essential to protect macrophages from HIV infection, and maintaining this state could prevent reservoirs of HIV-1 from forming.
Researchers identified a host signaling pathway used by malaria parasites to escape host cells, allowing for potential new strategies to combat the disease. A compound called sotrastaurin, already tested in humans and deemed safe, showed promise as an oral antimalarial.
The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis causes excess IL-10 production, inhibiting T-cell function and leading to infection. Early intervention is crucial to prevent chronic periodontal disease.
Researchers at Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology developed a new technique to knock out genes in the parasite's genome. The study found that removing specific genes did not prevent the parasite from invading host cells, suggesting alternative invasion strategies.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes mapped CMV's molecular mechanism to understand its successful infection. The 'accelerator circuit' helps maintain optimal levels of toxic IE2 protein.
Researchers at UGA have found that an algal structure allows parasites like malaria and toxoplasmosis to replicate and spread inside hosts. Altering this fiber may lead to new anti-parasitic treatments.
Research by University of Cambridge scientists has identified a new mechanism used by Salmonella to spread in the body, which could lead to improved treatments and vaccinations. The study found that bacteria must escape from infected cells to disseminate, but this process is hindered when an active Phox system is present.
A study led by Oxford University reveals that humans selectively favor beneficial gut microbes through the release of nutrient-rich secretions. This process allows for efficient control of the microbiome without requiring excessive host resources.
A recent study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that expression of H Ferritin gene reduces oxidative stress and prevents tissue damage by controlling iron accumulation. This protective mechanism provides a new approach to treating malaria by inducing tolerance to the disease, without targeting the parasite.
Researchers identified two cell receptors, TIM and TAM, essential for the Dengue virus to enter cells. Inhibiting these receptors reduces infection and provides a new therapeutic strategy.
Researchers identified how certain RNA viruses hijack a key DNA repair activity of human cells to multiply, providing a new target for universal treatments. This discovery could lead to the development of broad-spectrum treatments for picornaviruses, including the common cold, without resistance issues.
Researchers created composites with a loose structure that enables cells to colonize and form three-dimensional tissues. The fibers' spacing can be adjusted to align cells and direct tissue formation, mimicking the human meniscus.
A 'fight' between bacteria and the immune system may lead to chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. The study's findings highlight the importance of controlling the early environment through breastfeeding, a diverse diet, or probiotics.
Researchers explore the role of Lactobacillus reuteri in protecting against foodborne infection, finding that its antimicrobial substance reuterin can protect intestinal epithelial cells from Salmonella infection. The study's results suggest the efficacy of using probiotic bacteria or their derivatives in future therapies.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism by which Bartonella bacteria manipulate host cell signaling, prolonging cell lifespan and contributing to chronic infection persistence. The study reveals the role of protein BepA in binding adenylyl cyclase, leading to increased cAMP production and preventing host cell death.
Scientists have discovered the detailed structure of the shell surrounding genetic material in retroviruses like HIV at a crucial stage. This finding may lead to the development of new anti-retroviral therapies by targeting the immature virus shell.
Lactocepin, an enzyme produced by Lactobacillus paracasei, selectively interrupts inflammatory processes in diseased tissue by degrading chemokines. This mechanism shows promise for developing new approaches to prevent and treat chronic bowel diseases.
A study published in Journal of Virology identifies apoptosis, the programmed death of a host cell, as the trigger for high-level viral replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). This discovery suggests that KSHV can sense and respond to changes in its host cells, granting it an evolutionary advantage.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown cellular system that triggers immune and detoxification responses in animals when exposed to toxins or pathogens. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for diseases such as sepsis and toxic shock.
New research uses imaging techniques to observe how Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, kills off its rivals using a spring-loaded poison dagger. The study reveals the Type 6 secretion system's role in this process and has implications for understanding bacterial virulence and potential drug targets.
Researchers have discovered a vital player in the sexual phase of the malaria parasite's reproduction that could prove an effective target for new treatments. The new protein, CDC20, plays a crucial role in cell division and the development of male sex cells, essential for parasite transmission between humans and mosquitoes.
Scientists at the Pasteur Institute discovered a novel defensive weapon against Shigella bacteria: septin protein cages. These cages not only target pathogens for degradation by autophagy but also prevent bacterial spread by impeding access to actin, a cell skeleton component.
Researchers have discovered a defect in the cell-targeting ability of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that leads to reduced inflammation in the stomach. The study found that the bacteria's chemotaxis, or movement towards specific chemicals, plays a crucial role in triggering chronic inflammation.
Researchers discovered that targeting host enzymes with imatinib reduces M. tuberculosis load and enhances traditional antibiotics' effectiveness. This approach limits infection and may reduce antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center explore how gut bacteria influence cancer risk, suggesting early exposures to H. pylori may protect against gastric cancers later in life. The study also highlights the estrobolome, a framework for understanding estrogen's impact on cancer development.
A new method for quickly identifying individual viruses can help control winter vomiting disease and other virus-based illnesses. The method could save lives in developing countries and reduce stress on healthcare systems in the west.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism where Chlamydia trachomatis tricks host cells into taking up the bacteria by coating itself with a growth factor made by the cells. This disguise creates a positive feedback loop, enabling bacterial infection and spread.
Viruses, such as adenovirus, exploit host cell mechanisms to smuggle their DNA into the nucleus for reproduction. The viral DNA is transported into the nucleus using the kinesin motor protein and a gatekeeper molecule, allowing it to reproduce easily.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified a novel small molecule that inhibits Ebola virus entry into cells by more than 99 percent. The target of the inhibitor is the cell protein Niemann-Pick C1, which is critical for EboV infection.
A*STAR scientists have discovered a potential antidote for Ricin and Pseudomonas exotoxin, two deadly toxins responsible for hospital-acquired infections. The study identified ERGIC2 as a therapeutic target, paving the way for developing generic antidotes against these life-threatening toxins.
Researchers discovered that many proteins are required for maximum toxicity of ricin and PE, with differing requirements at multiple levels. Understanding toxin trafficking may lead to designing treatments targeting these toxins and potential synergistic therapies.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have demonstrated direct conversion of a non-heart cell type into a heart cell by RNA transfer. This breakthrough approach, called Transcriptome Induced Phenotype Remodeling (TIPeR), offers potential for cell-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases and personalized scre...
The Virtual Institute VISTRIE is a transnational research group examining how viruses evade the immune system. The team will study immune mechanisms and identify critical antiviral processes using CMV as a paradigmatic model pathogen. This knowledge may lead to new drugs to treat CMV and other virus infections.
A recent Penn study discovered that microbes open and pass through the initial cellular barrier in a programmed and efficient way, suggesting a normal physiological event. This finding supports a general mechanism for epithelial opening exploited by invasive pathogens.
A new study has identified PI3Kinase gamma as a crucial protein in tumor growth and inflammation. Disrupting this enzyme prevents tumor cells from attracting immune cells, slowing down tumor development and metastasis.
Researchers at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research found a new Salmonella infection mechanism targeting the actin cytoskeleton and exploiting myosin II motor protein. This approach allows bacteria to pull themselves into host cells without forming ruffles, expanding the known invasion strategies.
Researchers discovered that a supposedly inactive protein ROP5 plays a crucial role in Toxoplasma gondii's ability to cause disease, suggesting the possible role of similarly errant proteins in other diseases. The team engineered strains without ROP5 and found the pathogen was unable to cause disease in mice.
Researchers have successfully imaged the three-dimensional structure of Salmonella's needle complex with unprecedented precision, shedding light on its deadly mechanism. By combining high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and advanced imaging software, the team was able to generate a single sharp image from thousands of blurred ones.
A cancer-causing retrovirus exploits key proteins in host cells to extend cell life and spread. The study found that the viral protein targets ATM and REG-gamma, leading to prolonged cell survival and increased virus transmission.
Research reveals how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria adapt to evade the immune system and antibiotic treatments by forming small colony variants. These 'dormant forms' can persist within host cells for weeks, leading to relapsing infections.
A U of Alberta researcher is working towards developing a pharmacological target for cholera by understanding the bacteria's mechanism of infection and survival. He has discovered how Vibrio cholerae uses molecular nano-syringes to infect host cells, providing a potential vaccine target.
A new study aims to shut down the viral assembly line of coronaviruses, a process crucial for their replication. The research focuses on the M protein, which forms the outer shell of the virus and is critical for its pathogenesis.
Researchers found that the ROP18 protein disables host cell proteins that protect against infection, allowing the parasite to thrive. This discovery could lead to new treatments for Toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections.
Specially designed probiotics can modulate host fat cells, potentially leading to specialized probiotics for obesity prevention or treatment. Ingesting live bacteria influences metabolism at remote sites in the body.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria favor human hemoglobin over other animal hemoglobins, which may contribute to why some people are more susceptible to staph infections. Genetic variations in hemoglobin could be a key factor in individual susceptibility to these infections.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a major pathway that infected cells use to root out Epstein-Barr virus infections, which can cause cancer in people with compromised immune systems. The study found that two enzymes play a critical role in mediating this response and preventing unchecked cell growth.
Convergent evolution is observed in Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia trachomatis, both hijacking the host cell's Golgi apparatus to secure a nutrient supply. This shared strategy may provide insights into improving therapies for these two common infections.
Researchers have determined the atomic-scale arrangement of proteins in a virus structure that enables it to invade and fuse with host cells. The findings show how the structure morphs in response to changing acidity, exposing a portion required for fusion with the cell membrane.
A new study reveals how HIV evades the body's natural defense system by hiding a critical protein from natural killer cells. The research opens up a promising new target for HIV drug therapies.
Researchers have identified a security system in host cells that viruses exploit to replicate, allowing them to evade the immune system. The discovery sheds light on how some viruses add chemical caps to RNA to bypass host cell defenses.
Researchers have discovered the world's largest marine virus, Cafeteria roenbergensis virus, which has a genome larger than some cellular organisms. This complex 'mimi-like' virus infects an ecologically important planktonic predator and challenges the traditional boundary between living and non-living entities.
Researchers at Brown University and international partners have identified a potential Achilles Heel in the rare but deadly JC polyomavirus, which binds to a specific sugar molecule on brain cells. The discovery provides a powerful platform for developing new therapeutics to prevent infection.
Toxoplasma gondii parasite triggers stress response mechanism to survive outside host cells, enabling it to find new hosts and infect them. Researchers identify critical pathway that helps the parasite overcome environmental stresses, offering potential new treatments for toxoplasmosis infection.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have identified two bacteria that instigate gut inflammation, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. The study suggests that the genetic background influences the intestinal microbiota, with Enterobacteriaceae playing a role in triggering IBD.
Researchers discovered that mycobacteria block phagosome maturation with acyltrehalose-containing glycolipids, surviving and thriving inside host macrophages. This study sheds light on the mechanism of intracellular parasitism and identifies potential new drug targets for TB treatment.
Researchers have uncovered a critical mechanism by which Vibrio parahaemolyticus kills cells and causes food poisoning. The study reveals that the bacterium uses a molecule called VPA0450 to remove a phosphate from host-cell membranes, leading to cell destruction.