Publications by authors named "G R Dodge"
Human lectins are critical carbohydrate-binding proteins that recognize diverse glycoconjugates from microorganisms and can play a key role in host-microbe interactions. Despite their importance in immune recognition and pathogen binding, the specific glycan ligands and functions of many human lectins remain poorly understood. Using previous proof-of-concept studies on selected lectins as the foundation for this work, we present ten additional glycan analysis probes (GAPs) from a diverse set of human soluble lectins, offering robust tools to investigate glycan-mediated interactions.
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- Phosphoglycosyl transferases (PGTs) are key enzymes in the synthesis of glycoconjugates by transferring sugar components to specific membrane targets, highlighting their importance in biochemical research.
- The study utilizes a sequence similarity network combined with a luminescence-based assay to investigate the substrate preferences of a specific family of bacterial PGTs, providing insights into their functionality on a broader scale.
- Additionally, the research establishes a preliminary framework for discovering inhibitors by testing eight nucleoside analogs on four distinct monoPGTs, paving the way for future studies in inhibitor development.
Phosphoglycosyl transferases (PGTs) are membrane proteins that initiate glycoconjugate biosynthesis by transferring a phospho-sugar moiety from a soluble nucleoside diphosphate sugar to a membrane-embedded polyprenol phosphate acceptor. The centrality of PGTs in complex glycan assembly and the current lack of functional information make these enzymes high-value targets for biochemical investigation. In particular, the small monotopic PGT family is exclusively bacterial and represents the minimal functional unit of the monotopic PGT superfamily.
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- Osteoarthritis is increasingly affecting people globally, with no current treatments available that modify the disease, highlighting the need for preventive measures, especially after knee injuries, which are linked to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).
- A workshop held at the 2023 Osteoarthritis Research Society International Congress focused on improving trial designs for preventing PTOA, discussing critical aspects like target populations, treatment methods, and outcomes beyond just pain.
- The workshop identified opportunities for testing prevention strategies and emphasized collaborating on outcomes that matter to patients, such as knee function and overall symptoms, to make future PTOA prevention trials more effective and relevant.
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by deficient alpha-l-iduronidase activity, leading to abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cells and tissues. Synovial joint disease is prevalent and significantly reduces patient quality of life. There is a strong clinical need for improved treatment approaches that specifically target joint tissues; however, their development is hampered by poor understanding of underlying disease pathophysiology, including how pathological changes to component tissues contribute to overall joint dysfunction.
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