Nature study demonstrates that bacterial clotting depends on ...(student in the Ismagilov Lab at the Univ...)

Date:11/2/2008

student in the Ismagilov Lab at the University of Chicago's Department of Chemistry, is the first author of the Nature paper. Rustem Ismagilov, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, is the corresponding author. Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Institut Pasteur in Paris, and Ben-May Department for Cancer Research at the University of Chicago co-authored the paper.

Coagulation can occur if enough proteases that activate coagulation accumulate near the bacteria, rather than diffuse away. This research used Bacillus anthracis, the anthrax-causing pathogen (using a safe strain that does not infect humans). It found that in the case of human blood, coagulation required the secretion of zinc metalloprotease InhA1, which activated prothrombin and factor X directlynot via factor XII or tissue-factor pathways.

"We refer to this mechanism as 'quorum acting' to distinguish it from quorum sensing, in which bacteria coordinate certain actions based, in part, on their density," said Wei-Jen Tang, Professor at the Ben-May Department for Cancer Research.

This work opens up a new field of study, he added. "We will now explore the commonality of quorum acting, and how quorum acting can affect evolutionary dynamics."

The results of this research have broad implications, according to Ismagilov. "The work emphasizes the importance of bacteria's spatial distribution, rather than just its average concentration in the functioning of nonlinear biochemical networks," he said.

'/>"/>

Contact: Greg Borzo gregborzo@uchicago.edu 773-702-8366 University of Chicago Source:Eurekalert

0 GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Genes and environment grant funds close look at nature-nurture overlap in common diseases
2. Nature leads the way for the next generation of paints, cosmetics and holograms
3. Costa Rica, US announce historic debt-for-nature swap
4. New ETH Zurich article published in scientific journal Nature
5. Frog study takes leaf out of natures book
6. Scientists enhance Mother Natures carbon handling mechanism
7. Entrust Digital Signatures Help Secure More Than 18 Million U.S. ePassports
8. Iridescence workshop promotes natures nanotechnology
9. In nature -- and maybe the corner office -- scientists find that generalists can thrive
10. Genes selective signature aids detection of natural selection in microbial evolution
11. K-State contributions to red flour beetle genome sequencing featured in March 27 issue of Nature