Scientists identify cell proteins that interact with bacteria
Potentially important findings for developing antibacterial drugs have been made by German, Swiss and Irish scientists. They identified 39 proteins interacting with bacteria damaging and entering human cells.
Potentially important findings for developing antibacterial drugs have been made by German, Swiss and Irish scientists. They identified 39 proteins interacting with bacteria damaging and entering human cells.
Until now, only a few proteins had been listed, said a Cell Host and Microbe journal note. The large number of these proteins indicates bacteria toxins can "interfere with multiple cellular signalling pathways", controlling key functions such as cell division.
Dr Matthias Selbach of the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Germany, said: "Bacteria are able to attack very different cells and..increase their survival.." He added that new antibacterial drugs could target the signalling mechanisms disrupted by bacterial toxins.