Different mechanisms for phytoalexin induction by pathogen and wound signals in Medicago truncatula

bianjie submitted, created time 1 year 2 months (www.pnas.org)

Cell suspensions of the model legume Medicago truncatula accumulated the isoflavonoid phytoalexin medicarpin in response to yeast elicitor or methyl jasmonate (MJ), accompanied by decreased levels of isoflavone glycosides in MJ-treated cells.

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Fungus genome yielding answers to protect grains, people and animals

franklin submitted, created time 1 year 2 months (news.uns.purdue.edu)

Why a pathogen is a pathogen may be answered as scientists study the recently mapped genetic makeup of a fungus that spawns the worst cereal grains disease known and also can produce toxins potentially fatal to people and livestock.

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On the origin of smallpox: Correlating variola phylogenics with historical smallpox records

scott submitted, created time 1 year 3 months (www.pnas.org)

Human disease likely attributable to variola virus (VARV), the etiologic agent of smallpox, has been reported in human populations for >2,000 years. VARV is unique among orthopoxviruses in that it is an exclusively human pathogen.

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Regulatory T cells enhance persistence of the zoonotic pathogen Seoul virus in its reservoir host

brooke submitted, created time 1 year 3 months (www.pnas.org)

Hantaviruses are zoonotic pathogens that maintain a persistent infection in their reservoir hosts, yet the mechanisms mediating persistence remain unknown. Regulatory T cell responses cause persistent infection by suppressing proinflammatory and effector T cell activity

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HWI Researchers Determine Structure of Protein from Pathogen Associated With CF and TB

bianjie submitted, created time 1 year 5 months (www.hwi.buffalo.edu)

The structure of a novel protein in the bacterium that is the most persistent pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients has been solved.

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New bacterium discovered -- related to cause of trench fever

bioman submitted, created time 1 year 7 months (www.eurekalert.org)

"A close cousin of the bacterium that debilitated thousands of World War I soldiers has been isolated at UCSF from a patient who had been on an international vacation. The woman, who has since recovered, suffered from symptoms similar to malaria or typhoid fever, two infections that can occur in returning travelers.

But genetic detective work revealed that she was infected with a new bacterium that had never before been isolated from a human. "

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Great Lakes fish virus may threaten U.S. aquaculture

julie submitted, created time 1 year 8 months (www.reuters.com)

"A virus in the U.S. Great Lakes that has killed tens of thousands of fish in recent years is spreading and poses a threat to inland fish farming, a U.S. Agriculture Department official said on Monday."

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa exploits a PIP3-dependent pathway to transform apical into basolateral membrane

julie submitted, created time 1 year 8 months (www.jcb.org)

"The end result is that this bacterium transforms AP into BL membrane, creating a local microenvironment that facilitates its colonization and entry into the mucosal barrier. "

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Adenovirus type 11 binding alters the conformation of its receptor CD46

Vampire submitted, created time 1 year 10 months (www.nature.com)

Adenoviruses (Ads) are important human pathogens and valuable gene delivery vehicles. We report here the crystal structure of the species B Ad11 knob complexed with the Ad11-binding region of its receptor CD46. The conformation of bound CD46 differs profoundly from its unbound state, with the bent surface structure straightened into an elongated rod. This mechanism of interaction is likely to be conserved among many pathogens that target CD46 or related molecules.

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Recognition and Signaling by Toll-Like Receptors