Biologists
at the University of California San Diego are drawing parallels from newly
developed models of the common fruit fly to help lay the foundation for novel
therapies to fight the pathogen's spread.
UC San Diego
scientists created strains of fruit flies that are capable of expressing the
active component of this toxin, known as "CDTa." The strains allowed
them to study the elaborate mechanisms underlying CDTa toxicity in a live model
system focused on the gut, which is key since the digestive system of these
small flies is surprisingly similar to that of humans.
The
fruit fly model gave the researchers a clear path to examine genetic
interactions disrupted at the hands of CDTa. They ultimately found that the
toxin induces a collapse of networks that are essential for nutrient
absorption. As a result, the model flies' body weight, fecal output and overall
lifespan were severely reduced, mimicking symptoms in human C.
difficile-infected patients.
See:
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
No comments:
Post a comment
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources