Publications by authors named "Alex S Nicholson"
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, is associated with congenital neurological complications. Here, we investigate potential pathological correlates of virus gene expression in representative ZIKV strains through RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling. In addition to the single long polyprotein found in all flaviviruses, we identify the translation of unrecognised upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the genomic 5' region.
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- The detection of neurotropic astroviruses, particularly the MLB genogroup, has surged, posing risks of gastroenteritis and neurological issues in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
- Researchers identified specific regions in the virus's genetic material that can be modified to create less harmful versions of the virus, which were confirmed through experiments in neuronal cultures.
- This innovative method could pave the way for developing vaccine candidates by using these safer versions of astroviruses that could affect humans and animals.
Myelin is a multilayered membrane that tightly wraps neuronal axons, enabling efficient, high-speed signal propagation. The axon and myelin sheath form tight contacts, mediated by specific plasma membrane proteins and lipids, and disruption of these contacts causes devastating demyelinating diseases. Using two cell-based models of demyelinating sphingolipidoses, we demonstrate that altered lipid metabolism changes the abundance of specific plasma membrane proteins.
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