Navigation Links
Researchers uncover E. coli's defense mechanism

Iron key to nitric oxide reductionResearchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the John Innes Centre in the United Kingdom have uncovered a mechanism with which disease-causing bacteria may thwart the body's natural defense responses. The findings, which could ultimately lead to the development of more effective antibiotics, appear in the September 29, 2005 issue of the journal Nature.

"Nitric oxide is produced by the body to fight infections. We discovered a mechanism that allows bacterial cells to detect nitric oxide and turn it into something that's harmless to the cell," said Stephen Spiro, associate professor in the School of Biology at Georgia Tech.

Spiro, along with colleagues Benoit D'Autreauz, Nicholas Tucker and Ray Dixon from the John Innes Centre, studied a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, which is very closely related to Salmonella bacteria.

The pathogenic forms of E. coli and Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans through undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables and cross contamination from surfaces on which these foods were prepared. Infections from either of these organisms can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and sometimes more serious illnesses that require hospitalization. E.coli doesn't respond well to antibiotics, while Salmonella has developed several drug-resistant strains. Learning how the bacteria handle the body's immune response is the first step in developing more effective medicines.

Spiro and colleagues focused their study on the NorR protein and the role it plays in reducing the levels of nitric oxide. In response to nitric oxide, NorR binds to DNA in order to regulate expression of an enzyme that reduces the amount of nitric oxide in the bacteria. Since nitric oxide binds to metals, the researchers suspected that there might be a metal in the protein.

"It turns out that the protein NorR contains a single molecule of iron," said Spiro. "Our study found that the nitric oxide
'"/>

Source:Georgia Institute of Technology


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Researchers discover way to make cells in the eye sensitive to light
2. Researchers find how protein allows insects to detect and respond to pheromones
3. Researchers Uncover Key Step In Manufacture of Memory Protein
4. Researchers reveal the infectious impact of salmon farms on wild salmon
5. Researchers identify target for cancer drugs
6. Researchers discover molecule that causes secondary stroke
7. Researchers find missing genes of ancient organism
8. Researchers trace evolution to relatively simple genetic changes
9. Researchers add new tool to tumor-treatment arsenal
10. UF Researchers Map Bacterial Proteins That Cause Tooth Loss
11. VCU Researchers Identify Networks Of Genes Responding To Alcohol In The Brain
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Researchers uncover coli defense mechanism

(Date:5/16/2013)... outside the bone marrow in the liver, the ... now show that a specific type of immune cell ... Balanced hematopoiesis is essential for the function of the ... in the liver and the spleen. Later the process ... normally serves as the sole source of blood cells ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... Canada and around the world are meeting next ... Meeting will showcase the latest in research findings ... clues to understanding the disorders that affect them., ... this meeting will showcase the best of neuroscience ... Sam David, President of the Canadian Association for ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... outside of the gym. But doctors use the human pulse ... Bao, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford, has developed ... wider than a postage stamp. The flexible skin-like monitor, worn ... to help doctors detect stiff arteries and cardiovascular problems. , ... heart health and provide doctors a safer method of measuring ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Herpes infections: Natural killer cells activate hematopoiesis 27th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, May 20-24, 2013 2Stanford engineers monitor heart health using paper-thin flexible 'skin' 2Stanford engineers monitor heart health using paper-thin flexible 'skin' 3
... that as we grow older, our bones become more brittle ... loss of mass is a major reason for older bones ... focused on slowing down this loss. However, new research from ... National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) shows that at microscopic dimensions, the ...
... N.Y. Losing weight without a grumbling stomach or expensive ... lunch, finds a new Cornell University study to be published ... Participants who ate portion-controlled lunches did not compensate by ... believe the human body does not possess the mechanisms necessary ...
... control traits, like when a plant will flower, what soil ... conditions provides insight into the ability of plants to adapt ... for crop improvement and significant to human well being. ... of Utah (the U), compared genetic data from 19 different ...
Cached Biology News:The brittleness of aging bones -- more than a loss of bone mass 2The brittleness of aging bones -- more than a loss of bone mass 3Little plant tells big stories 2
(Date:5/19/2013)... Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 19, 2013 ... providing social media training online, has proudly announced that ... for small business has surpassed 175,000 views on YouTube. ... free social media and SEO tips and training for ... see my students find the YouTube tips helpful for ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... available in German . ... the naked eye, you can see which branch a bird ... of branches through the telephoto lens for high-magnification images requires ... are looking to study proteins, the active biomolecules of cells. ... for Molecular Systems Biology, and her colleagues have now come ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... 2013  Cellular Biomedicine Group (OTCQB: CBMG) today ... the total projected enrollment required for its Phase ... efficacy of the medical technology haMPC (Human Adipose-derived ... To date the trial has had no Severe ... I open label clinical research trial for KOA, ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) May 17, 2013 ... to understanding complex biological systems that can help predict ... Keynote speaker Dr. Sergey Stepaniants, Head of Computational Biology ... of computational biology tools to ensure high-quality genomics when ... tools can be applied to complex data sets to ...
Breaking Biology Technology:YouTube Channel on SEO Tips Surpasses 175,000 Views, Announces JM Internet Group 2Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 2Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 3Cellular Biomedicine Group Achieves 50% Enrollment Milestone in Phase I Clinical Trial for Knee Osteoarthritis 2
... EVRY, October 13 Philippe Marliere, cofounder and,initiator of the project, ... - Dr. Bernard Badet heads a research group at the Institut ... that is, interested in the understanding of ... chemical tools for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes., - Prof. ...
... Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN ) will webcast its Quarterly ... Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT. ... lead the call. On the same date post-market, Amylin will ... The call will be webcast live through Amylin,s corporate Web ...
... MIAMI, Oct. 13 The Alpha-1 Foundation announced today ... how genetic variations in the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene ... AAT deficiency. The inherited condition causes emphysema and liver ... therapy -- known as augmentation therapy -- minimizes liver ...
Cached Biology Technology:Global Bioenergies is Setting-Up its Scientific Advisory Board and Obtains Proof of Concept for a Bioprocess Generating Gaseous Hydrocarbons From Renewable Resources 2Amylin Pharmaceuticals to Webcast Third Quarter Results 2The Alpha-1 Foundation Awards Two Research Grants with Support from Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. 2The Alpha-1 Foundation Awards Two Research Grants with Support from Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. 3The Alpha-1 Foundation Awards Two Research Grants with Support from Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. 4
... This microscope is described by end-users to ... incorporates the fundamentals of light microscopy and ... small footprint, it does not require much ... a busy lab environment. The DM-BA300 combines ...
... ergonomic microscopes are now available in digital ... DM-BA200 comes packed with Motic's patented Colour ... plug and play digital image capture head. ... a reversed quadruple nosepiece, deliver high quality ...
This kit is designed to select cells labeled with biotinylated antibodies. Kit includes reagents for labeling 3 x 10 9 cells and EasySep magnet....
... system combines the space and time dimensions of ... the optical microscope to open new horizons in ... source for excitation, the decay of a fluorescence ... the decay measured. Subtle changes in the ...
Biology Products: