( tococcus that could not produce ScpC. A...)Solved: The mystery of flesh-eating bacteria's relentless attack

tococcus that could not produce ScpC. As expected, this strain was much less virulent than the original M14. Only three of 28 mice receiving the mutant strain succumbed to infection, a death rate much lower than that of mice who received the original strain. Mice receiving the original bacteria developed lesions that grew until the mice died; while mice receiving the mutant strain developed only small lesions that spontaneously healed.

"The experiments show that SilCR downregulates the production of ScpC, and ScpC is what destroys the interleukin-8," said Hanski. "In our strain, M14, SilCR is missing completely, which explains why it is so virulent."

He said the work points to more effective strategies for treating Streptococcus infection. "There are different avenues you could explore for treatment, all based on reducing the amount of ScpC the bacteria produces," Hanski said. "You could look for a specific inhibitor of ScpC, or you could explore the activity of SilCR more fully and try to boost its action."
'"/>

Source:Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. 50-year-old Mystery Solved: Protein Tags Regulate Key Ion Channel
2. Researchers make headway in mystery of migraines
3. Monkeypox mystery: New research may explain why 2003 outbreak in the US wasnt deadly
4. Researchers solve mystery of how nuclear pores duplicate before cell division
5. Scientists seek to unwrap the sweet mystery of the sugar coat on bacteria
6. Evolution mystery: Spider venom and bacteria share same toxin
7. Possible brain hormone may unlock mystery of hibernation
8. ANU scientists crack DNA replication mystery
9. NASA study solves ocean plant mystery
10. Researchers seek to solve mystery of natural HIV control
11. Massive duplication of genes may solve Darwins abominable mystery about flowering plants