Binding of effector molecules

Drosophilais a powerful model system to study the regula-tory and effector mechanisms of innate immunity. To iden-tify molecules induced in the course of viral infection in this insect, we have developed a model based on intrathoracic injection of the picorna-like DrosophilaCvirus(DCV).We have used MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to compare the hemolymph of DCV infected flies and control flies. By contrast with the strong humoral response triggered by injectionof bacteriaor fungal spores, we have identifiedonly one molecule induced in the hemolymph of virus infected flies....

10p tumor12 20-04-2013 27 3   Download

Antimicrobial peptides are effector molecules of the innate immune system. We recently showed that the human anti-microbial peptidesa-defensin and LL-37 bind to glycos-aminoglycans (heparin and dermatan sulphate). Here we demonstrate the obverse, i.e. structural motifs associated with heparin affinity (cationicity, amphipaticity, and con-sensus regions)may confer antimicrobial properties to a given peptide.

8p dell39 03-04-2013 38 3   Download

Antimicrobial peptides are effector molecules of the innate immune system. We have recently shown that peptides containing multiples of the heparin-binding Cardin and Weintraub motifs AKKARA and ARKKAAKA exert antimicrobial activities. Here, we show that replacement of lysine and arginine in these motifs by histidine abrogates the antibacterial effects of these peptides.

8p inspiron33 26-03-2013 48 4   Download

Collectins are effector molecules of the innate immune system that play an important role in the first line of defence against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Most of their interactions with microorganisms are mediated through their carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), which binds in a Ca 2+ -dependent manner to glycoconjugates. Molecular

12p cosis54 09-12-2012 34 2   Download