By gentle sonic treatment, Escherichia coli cells were modified to permit penetration of actinomycin D, adenosine triphosphate, trypsin, ribonuclease, and polyuridylic acid. The behavior of these "soniplasts" as protein-synthesizing particles was investigated.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bacteriophages M13 and Pf3 tell us how proteins insert into the membrane.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The cytoplasmic carboxy terminus of M13 procoat is required for the membrane insertion of its central domain.

The M13 coat protein spans the Escherichia coli plasma membrane with its amino-terminus facing the periplasm. It is made as a precursor--the procoat--with a typical leader peptide. Mutations which destroy the basic character of the carboxy-terminal domain of procoat, a domain which is oriented towards the cytoplasm, block membrane assembly, while insertion of three lysyl residues near the carboxy terminus partially restores assembly. Thus the information specifying membrane insertion of M13 procoat protein is found in its mature region as well as the leader and is not simply decoded in an amino to carboxy direction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of autoimmune skin diseases.

The pathomechanism of most autoimmune skin diseases is still elusive; however, recent clinical and basic research is leading novel insights into the cellular and molecular biological underlying pathways. Several types of infectious skin diseases are infiltrated by significant number of gamma/delta T cells and similar observations have been made in selected immune-mediated skin conditions. In particular, a role for gamma/delta T cells has been suggested in discoid lupus erythematosus, contact dermatitis, herpetiformis dermatitis, necrotizing cutaneous vasculitis, and cutaneous lesions of systemic sclerosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is different and this may suggest multiple potential functions of this subset of T cells in the immune system of the skin. Furthermore, most T cells infiltrating tissue and organs undergoing fibrosis have the potential to produce high levels of interleukin 4. This is particularly true for the CD8+ or CD4+ CD8+ double positive T-cell subsets. Furthermore, leukocyte recruitment is a key event in immunity and a better understanding of the signals involved in autoimmune diseases constitutes a valuable basis for the development of new strategies, which control leukocyte migration and function under pathological conditions.

Apoptosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New insight into immunosuppression and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

The achievements in photoimmunology over the last years have not only broadened our knowledge how ultraviolet (UV) light compromises the immune system but have also yielded important insights into general immunology and photobiology. Therefore, studies will not only increase our understanding how UV acts as a pathogen but will also support the development of new therapeutic strategies, e.g. suppressing (auto)immune reactions via administration of antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Major advances in biotechnology have already resulted in the development of several novel agents for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Some of these new immunomodulating drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetile and rituximab, are actually evaluated in controlled clinical trials to confirm the efficacy and safety profile in patients with autoimmune diseases. However, there is urgent need for specific immunointervention and further therapeutic options, especially for patients with autoimmune diseases in life-threatening situations and for non-responders to standard immunosuppression.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied