Variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) are the antigen receptors of jawless vertebrates such as lamprey. VLRs are of growing biotechnological interest for their ability to bind certain antigenic targets with higher affinity than traditional immunoglobulins. However, VLRs are disulfide-bonded proteins that are often challenging to produce requiring genetic modifications, fusion partners, non-scalable host cell lines or inclusion body formation and refolding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVariable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) are antigen receptors derived from the adaptive immune system of jawless vertebrates such as lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). First discovered in 2004, VLRs have been the subject of numerous biochemical and structural investigations. Due to their unique antigen binding properties, VLRs have been leveraged as possible drug delivery agents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by dopamine (DA) cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). As PD progresses, patients display disruptions in gait such as changes in posture, bradykinesia, and shortened stride. DA replacement via L-DOPA alleviates many PD symptoms, though its effects on gait are not well demonstrated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium commonly found in chickens and is the leading cause of human diarrheal disease worldwide. The various serotypes of produce structurally distinct capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) on the exterior surfaces of the cell wall. The capsular polysaccharide from serotype HS:5 is composed of a repeating sequence of d--d--heptose and d-glucitol-6-phosphate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe sugar, 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-d-mannuronic acid, was first identified ∼40 years ago in the O-antigen of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O:3,a,d. Since then, it has been observed on the O-antigens of various pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria including Bordetella pertussis, Escherichia albertii, and Pseudomonas mediterranea. Previous studies have established that five enzymes are required for its biosynthesis beginning with uridine dinucleotide (UDP)-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc).
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