Engineered bacteria launch and control an oncolytic virus.

The ability of bacteria and viruses to selectively replicate in tumors has led to synthetic engineering of new microbial therapies. Here we design a cooperative strategy whereby bacteria transcribe and deliver the Senecavirus A RNA genome inside host cells, launching a potent oncolytic viral infection. "Encapsidated" by bacteria, the viral genome can further bypass circulating antiviral antibodies to reach the tumor and initiate replication and spread within immune mice.

Characterization of Novel Splice Variants of Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein (ZAP).

Given the unprecedented scale of the recent Ebola and Zika viral epidemics, it is crucial to understand the biology of host factors with broad antiviral action in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we look into one such factor: zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) inhibits a variety of RNA and DNA viruses. Alternative splicing results in two isoforms that differ at their C termini: ZAPL (long) encodes a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-like domain that is missing in ZAPS (short).

A robust cell culture system supporting the complete life cycle of hepatitis B virus.

The discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor enabled researchers to create hepatoma cell lines susceptible to HBV infection. Infection in current systems, however, is inefficient and virus fails to spread. Infection efficiency is enhanced by treating cells with polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) during infection.

Drebrin Regulation of Calcium Signaling in Immune Cells.

Store-operated Ca channels are plasma membrane channels that are activated by depletion of intracellular Ca stores, resulting in an increase in intracellular Ca; however, little is known about their regulation. Our work has shown that the immunosuppressant compound BTP2, which blocks Ca influx into cells, interacts with the actin-reorganizing protein, drebrin. Here we review the role of drebrin in the regulation of calcium signaling, with a focus on immune cells.

Cutting Edge: Drebrin-Regulated Actin Dynamics Regulate IgE-Dependent Mast Cell Activation and Allergic Responses.

Mast cells play critical roles in allergic responses. Calcium signaling controls the function of these cells, and a role for actin in regulating calcium influx into cells has been suggested. We have previously identified the actin reorganizing protein Drebrin as a target of the immunosuppressant 3,5-bistrifluoromethyl pyrazole, which inhibits calcium influx into cells.