Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
13:36
Generation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells with Differing Sialylated Phenotypes
Published on: October 20, 2023
Microbial subversion of heparan sulfate proteoglycans
Ye Chen1, Martin Götte, Jian Liu
1Department of Digestive Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southemrn Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Molecules and Cells
|September 19, 2008
Summary
Microbial pathogens use host cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans for attachment and entry, impacting infectious disease outcomes. Targeting these interactions offers potential for new treatments against various infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Infectious diseases are driven by host-pathogen interactions.
- Pathogens manipulate host factors for disease progression.
- Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are key targets for pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of HSPGs in microbial pathogenesis.
- To understand how pathogens exploit HSPGs for attachment and entry.
- To identify HSPG-pathogen interactions as therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pathogen interactions with HSPGs.
- Analysis of pathogen strategies exploiting HSPGs.
- Identification of common mechanisms across different pathogen types.
Main Results:
- HSPGs are widely utilized by viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- Pathogens use HSPGs for initial attachment and cellular entry.
- HSPGs facilitate pathogen evasion of host defenses.
Conclusions:
- HSPGs are critical mediators of microbial pathogenesis.
- HSPG-pathogen interactions represent promising targets for novel therapies.
- Developing interventions against these interactions could combat infectious diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Proteoglycans
Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...
01:23Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
01:21Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins
Proteoglycans are extensively glycosylated proteins, commonly found in the extracellular matrix, interwoven with collagen fibers. Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage in the body, consists of short and dispersed collagen fibers associated with large amounts of proteoglycans. These proteoglycans have long negative charges that attract cations, which in turn attract water molecules. This influx of ions and water molecules swells up the proteoglycan like a water-soaked gel that can...
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:14Glycocalyx and its Functions
The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.
Components of...
Components of...
01:20Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...