The High-Resolution Structure of a Variable Lymphocyte Receptor From Petromyzon marinus Capable of Binding to the Brain Extracellular Matrix.

Variable 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.

The effects of L-DOPA on gait abnormalities in a unilateral 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson'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.

Biosynthesis of Cytidine Diphosphate-6-d-Glucitol for the Capsular Polysaccharides of .

is 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.

Structural analysis of a bacterial UDP-sugar 2-epimerase reveals the active site architecture before and after catalysis.

The 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).

Characterization of a novel inhibitor for the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-4: Implications for drug design and combating bacterial drug resistance.

The bacterial metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) catalyze the inactivation of β-lactam antibiotics. Identifying novel pharmacophores remains crucial for the clinical development of additional MBL inhibitors. Previously, 1-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione-6-carboxylic acid, hereafter referred to as 1,2-HPT-6-COOH, was reported as a low cytotoxic nanomolar β-lactamase inhibitor of Verona-integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase 2, capable of rescuing β-lactam antibiotic activity.