The authors wish to update the article title to "Cryo-Electron Tomography of Plasma Membrane Proteins" [...
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAggregates of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) containing an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract are hallmarks of Huntington's Disease (HD). Studies have shown that mHTT can spread between cells, leading to the propagation of misfolded protein pathology. However, the structure of transmissive mHTT species, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their transmission remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe major barrier to eradicating Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection is the generation of tissue-associated quiescent long-lasting viral reservoirs refractory to therapy. Upon interruption of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), HIV replication can be reactivated. Within the brain, microglia/macrophages and a small population of astrocytes are infected with HIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFungal plasma membrane proteins have long been recognized as targets for the development of antifungal agents. Despite recent progress in experimental approaches and computational structural predictions, our knowledge of the structural dynamics and spatial distribution of these membrane proteins in the context of their native lipid environment remains limited. By applying cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) and subtomogram analysis, we aim to characterize the structural characteristics and spatial distribution of membrane proteins present in plasma membranes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrently, a major barrier to curing HIV infection is the generation of tissue-associated, non-replicating, long-lasting viral reservoirs that are refractory to therapy and can be reactivated upon anti-retroviral therapy interruption. One of these reservoirs are latently HIV-infected macrophages. Here, we show that HIV infection of macrophages results in survival of a small population of infected cells that are metabolically altered and characterized by mitochondrial fusion, lipid accumulation, and reduced mitochondrial ATP production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Protoc Cell Biol
March 2019
The major barrier to eradicating human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection is the generation and extended survival of HIV reservoirs. In order to eradicate HIV infection, it is essential to detect, quantify, and characterize circulating and tissue-associated viral reservoirs in infected individuals. Currently, PCR-based technologies and Quantitative Viral Outgrowth Assays (Q-VOA) are the gold standards to detect viral reservoirs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans, has a complex life cycle that promotes survival in disparate environments. In each environment, the parasite must fine-tune its metabolic pathways to divide and multiply. In the absence of recognizable transcriptional gene regulation, it is apparent that protein levels are determined by post-transcriptional mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile HIV kills most of the cells it infects, a small number of infected cells survive and become latent viral reservoirs, posing a significant barrier to HIV eradication. However, the mechanism by which immune cells resist HIV-induced apoptosis is still incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that while acute HIV infection of human microglia/macrophages results in massive apoptosis, a small population of HIV-infected cells survive infection, silence viral replication, and can reactivate viral production upon specific treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethamphetamine (meth) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that results in psychological and physical dependency. The long-term effects of meth within the CNS include neuronal plasticity changes, blood-brain barrier compromise, inflammation, electrical dysfunction, neuronal/glial toxicity, and an increased risk to infectious diseases including HIV. Most of the reported meth effects in the CNS are related to dysregulation of chemical synapses by altering the release and uptake of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurotoxicity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) includes synaptic simplification and neuronal apoptosis. However, the mechanisms of HIV-associated neurotoxicity remain unclear, thus precluding an effective treatment of the neurological complications. The present study was undertaken to characterize novel mechanisms of HIV neurotoxicity that may explain how HIV subjects develop neuronal degeneration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Neurosci
June 2014
Gap junctions (GJs) are conglomerates of intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of two or more cells, and facilitate the transfer of ions and small molecules, including second messengers, resulting in metabolic and electrical coordination. In general, loss of gap junctional communication (GJC) has been associated with cellular damage and inflammation resulting in compromise of physiological functions. Recently, it has become evident that GJ channels also play a critical role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and associated inflammation.
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