Difference between revisions of "Defending against anthrax: Cell membrane channels and drug design"

Revision as of 14:07, 25 February 2009

By Dr. Ekaterina Nestorovich, Staff Scientist, National Institutes of Health

March 17, 2009

Santa Fe Complex

Abstract: Anthrax causes disease by secreting proteins that form channels or openings on the surface of a host target cell. These channels allow toxins to enter the host cell and ultimately cause disease. Understanding channel structure and function can lead to small-molecule drugs that block the actions of anthrax toxins.

Dr. Nestorovich will be introduced by Dr. Michael E. Wall, Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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 ;Abstract
-:Toxicity of many bacteria, including the ones that cause anthrax, is mediated by secreting proteins that form channels on the surfaces of the cells under attack. Then the bacteria inject toxins through the channels, resulting in a disease. In this lecture, we will talk about how particle fluxes through the channels are measured, and how understanding the channel structure provides a basis for directed antitoxins discovery, namely finding small molecules that are able to block the flux of the toxins through the channels, making the pathogens impotent.
+:Anthrax causes disease by secreting proteins that form channels or openings on the surface of a host target cell.  These channels allow toxins to enter the host cell and ultimately cause disease.  Understanding channel structure and function can lead to small-molecule drugs that block the actions of anthrax toxins.
 Dr. Nestorovich will be introduced by Dr. Michael E. Wall, Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory.