Membrane lipid composition and cellular function.

HIV-1 exploits multiple host proteins during infection. We performed a large-scale small interfering RNA screen to identify host factors required by HIV-1 and identified more than 250 HIV-dependency factors (HDFs). These proteins participate in a broad array of cellular functions and implicate new pathways in the viral life cycle. Further analysis revealed previously unknown roles for retrograde Golgi transport proteins (Rab6 and Vps53) in viral entry, a karyopherin (TNPO3) in viral integration, and the Mediator complex (Med28) in viral transcription. Transcriptional analysis revealed that HDF genes were enriched for high expression in immune cells, suggesting that viruses evolve in host cells that optimally perform the functions required for their life cycle. This effort illustrates the power with which RNA interference and forward genetics can be used to expose the dependencies of human pathogens such as HIV, and in so doing identify potential targets for therapy.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/319/5865/921.full.pdf

Identification of Host Proteins Required for HIV Infection Through a Functional Genomic Screen

Identification of host proteins required for HIV infection through a functional genomic screen

Intracellular phospholipases A.

Scientists have been interested in studying the secretions of the meibomian glands for many years, 1– 8 and diseases associated with the meibomian glands (e.g., cancers, posterior blepharitis) have been noted in the medical literature since at least the early part of the 20th Century. 9 –13 However, the term “meibomian gland dysfunction” (MGD) was only introduced by Korb and Henriquez in 1980. 14 The terminology “meibomian gland disease” was later introduced by Bron et al. 15 as an umbrella term to indicate any disease affecting the meibomian glands (see Definition and Classification). Although the etiology of MGD may differ from that of aqueous-deficient dry eye disease (which is due to insufficient lacrimal gland production), the two conditions share many clinical features, including symptoms of ocular surface irritation and visual fluctuation, altered tear film stability, and potential ocular surface compromise. When MGD is of sufficient degree, it may give rise to the second major subtype of dry eye disease, evaporative dry eye. 16 These subtypes are not mutually exclusive, as has been acknowledged. 16

/pdf/the-international-workshop-on-meibomian-gland-dysfunction-4juj8iwm2r.pdf

The International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Report of the Subcommittee on the Epidemiology of, and Associated Risk Factors for, MGD

The lipids of paramyxoviruses: a comparative study of Sendai and Newcastle disease viruses.

Effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on cell fusion induced by Newcastle disease and Herpes simplex viruses

Thirty-six women with genital herpes infections (proved by virological or cytological means) were treated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study with the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose for a three-week period. In initial mucocutaneous cases, 89% were cured, with two recurrences after 24 months; in the case of recurrent or secondary infections, 90% had a notable improvement manifested by no or less-frequent recurrences, fewer lesions, or shortened duration of symptoms. In initial infections, discomfort cleared within 12 to 72 hours of therapy; 90% of the patients were asymptomatic within four days. In both cases, virus shedding was notably reduced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Concomitant controls treated with placebos failed to respond within this time frame. The use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose provides a simple and unique approach to the treatment of genital herpesvirus infections. ( JAMA 241:2798-2801, 1979)

https://jamanetwork.com/HttpHandlers/ArticlePdfHandler.ashx?journal=jama&articleId=365487&pdfFileName=jama_241_26_018.pdf

Successful Treatment of Human Genital Herpes Infections With 2-Deoxy-D-glucose

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses lipids in viruses. Lipid forms an integral part of many viruses and exists either in the form of a continuous envelope or in lipoprotein complexes that surround a nucleoprotein core or helix. In general, the envelope can be described as a molecular container for the genetic material of the virus. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and are not known to carry genetic coding for enzymes involved in lipid synthesis. Hence, they generally contain the same classes of lipid as are found in the host cell or their membrane of assembly. Lipids make up 20–35% by weight of most viruses; however, there are exceptions such as vaccinia virus, which has only 5% lipid despite having a complex multimembrane envelope structure. Naked herpesvirus capsids closely resemble non-lipid-containing viruses such as adenovirus or polyoma virus, which are also assembled in the nucleus but show full infectivity without any envelope. Both naked and enveloped herpesvirus particles are found in infected cells; however, only enveloped particles are found in extracellular fluids.

Herbert A. Blough

Papers

The lipids of paramyxoviruses: a comparative study of Sendai and Newcastle disease viruses.

Effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on cell fusion induced by Newcastle disease and Herpes simplex viruses

Successful Treatment of Human Genital Herpes Infections With 2-Deoxy-D-glucose

Lipids in viruses.

Composition of the neutral lipids of bovine meilbomian secretions.