/pdf/evolution-at-two-levels-in-humans-and-chimpanzees-4j80qi0jr2.pdf

Evolution at two levels in humans and chimpanzees

Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli are characterized by the expression of distinctive bacterial properties, products, or structures referred to as virulence factors because they help the organism overcome host defenses and colonize or invade the urinary tract. Virulence factors of recognized importance in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection (UTI) include adhesins (P fimbriae, certain other mannose-resistant adhesins, and type 1 fimbriae), the aerobactin system, hemolysin, K capsule, and resistance to serum killing. This review summarizes the virtual explosion of information regarding the epidemiology, biochemistry, mechanisms of action, and genetic basis of these urovirulence factors that has occurred in the past decade and identifies areas in need of further study. Virulence factor expression is more common among certain genetically related groups of E. coli which constitute virulent clones within the larger E. coli population. In general, the more virulence factors a strain expresses, the more severe an infection it is able to cause. Certain virulence factors specifically favor the development of pyelonephritis, others favor cystitis, and others favor asymptomatic bacteriuria. The currently defined virulence factors clearly contribute to the virulence of wild-type strains but are usually insufficient in themselves to transform an avirulent organism into a pathogen, demonstrating that other as-yet-undefined virulence properties await discovery. Virulence factor testing is a useful epidemiological and research tool but as yet has no defined clinical role. Immunological and biochemical anti-virulence factor interventions are effective in animal models of UTI and hold promise for the prevention of UTI in humans. Images

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli urinary tract infection.

Publisher Summary Aberrant glycosylation is the most common phenomenon associated with oncogenic transformation expressed in cell membranes of animal and human cancer cells. Such aberrant structures at the surface membranes may well be effective targets in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancer. Many of the aberrant glycosylation products can be recognized by specific MAbs as tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens. Many of these antigens have been identified as carbohydrates, thus there is increasing evidence that essentially all human cancers are characterized by aberrant glycosylation. Aberrant glycosylation as such may be the basis of inappropriate cell/cell and cell/matrix interactions that may be reflected in the abnormal cell social behavior of tumor cells, such as uncontrolled cell growth, invasiveness, and metastatic potential. Whatever the genetic or epigenetic basis of expression of aberrant glycosylation is, the phenomenon is of crucial importance in understanding the antisocial behavior of tumor cells as well as in practical applications in diagnosis and treatment of human cancer.

Aberrant glycosylation in tumors and tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens

https://thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(16)00339-1.pdf

Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Lysosomal storage disorders, of which more than 40 are known, are caused by the defective activity of lysosomal proteins, which results in the intra-lysosomal accumulation of undegraded metabolites. Despite years of study of the genetic and molecular bases of lysosomal storage disorders, little is known about the events that lead from this intra-lysosomal accumulation to pathology. Here, we summarize the biochemistry of lysosomal storage disorders. We then discuss downstream cellular pathways that are potentially affected in these disorders and that might help us to delineate their pathological mechanisms.

/pdf/the-cell-biology-of-lysosomal-storage-disorders-tzer8na81d.pdf

Su-Chen Li

Papers

Studies on the Glycosidases of Jack Bean Meal III. CRYSTALLIZATION AND PROPERTIES OF β-N-ACETYLHEXOSAMINIDASE

Anomeric Structures of Globoside and Ceramide Trihexoside of Human Erythrocytes and Hamster Fibroblasts

Hydrolysis of Tay-Sachs Ganglioside by β-Hexosaminidase A of Human Liver and Urine

Isolation and characterization of ceramide glycanase from the leech, Macrobdella decora.

Crystal structure of human GM2-activator protein with a novel beta-cup topology.