Category: Immunology
-
ADAM28: The Lymphocyte’s Little Helper
ADAM28 is the protein that’s bringing a whole new meaning to “immune system support”! ADAM28 is like that friend who’s always hanging out with the cool kids – in this case, the lymphocytes. This protein is exclusively expressed by lymphocytes, making it the VIP member of the immune system club. Picture ADAM28 as the backstage…
-
ADAM8: The Inflammatory Instigator
ADAM8 is the protein that’s stirring up trouble in your immune system! ADAM8 is like that friend who always shows up when there’s drama brewing. This protein is primarily expressed in immune cells, making it a key player in inflammatory responses. Picture ADAM8 as the bouncer of the cellular world. It’s involved in cell adhesion…
-
Quadrigen (DPT combined with the Salk polio vaccine) – random notes
In 1959, the Parke-Davis Quadrigen vaccine (DPT combined with the Salk polio vaccine) is licensed. The vaccine is alleged to be particularly reactive because of the effect of the preservative on the pertussis component. Several lawsuits ensue. The vaccine is withdrawn from the market in 1968 (Coulter and Fisher, 1985). Institute of Medicine (US) Committee…
-
The molecular mayhem of immunogens, haptens, carriers and adjuvants
First up, the immunogen: the molecular maestro of the immune system, orchestrating a symphony of B-cells and T-cells like a conductor with a grudge. These substances don’t just knock politely on the immune system’s door—they kick it down with the force of a battering ram. Immunogens are a subset of antigens (because “antibody-generating” wasn’t obvious enough)…
-
The neonatal fragment crystallizable (Fc) receptor (also FcRn, IgG receptor FcRn large subunit p51, or Brambell receptor) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FCGRT gene
It is an IgG Fc receptor which is similar in structure to the MHC class I molecule and also associates with beta-2-microglobulin. In rodents, FcRn was originally identified as the receptor that transports maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) from mother to neonatal offspring via mother’s milk, leading to its name as the neonatal Fc receptor. In humans, FcRn is present in the placenta where…
-
Structure of DNA repair protein XRCC4 aka X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 4
XRCC4 protein is a TETRAMER that resembles the shape of a DUMBBELL containing two globular ends separated by a long, thin stalk. The tetramer is composed of two dimers, and each dimer is made up of two similar subunits. The first subunit (L) contains amino acid residues 1 – 203 and has a longer stalk than the second…
-
Staphylokinase (SAK) aka staphylococcal fibrinolysin or Müller’s factor
Staphylokinase (SAK; also known as staphylococcal fibrinolysin or Müller’s factor) is a protein produced by Staphylococcus aureus. It contains 136 amino acid residues and has a molecular mass of 15kDa. Synthesis of staphylokinase occurs in late exponential phase. It is similar to streptokinase. Fibrinolysin is an enzyme derived from plasma of bovine origin (plasmin) or extracted from cultures of certain bacteria. (more below) Staphylokinase is positively…
-
Reactive arthritis aka Reiter’s syndrome
Reportedly triggered by everything from food poisoning to bug bites to STDs to hormones (estrogen, relaxin) Mnemonic: Can't See, Can't Pee, Can't Climb a Tree
-
Microfold cells (or M cells)
Microfold cells (or M cells) are found in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of the Peyer’s patches in the small intestine, and in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. These cells are known to initiate mucosal immunity responses on the apical membrane of the M cells and allow for transport of microbes and particles across the epithelial cell layer from the gut lumen to the lamina…
-
Perivitellin-2 (PV2) is a pore-forming toxin present in the egg perivitelline fluid of apple snails
Perivitellin-2 (PV2) is a pore-forming toxin present in the egg perivitelline fluid of the apple snails Pomacea maculata (PmPV2) and Pomacea canaliculata (PcPV2). This protein, called perivitellin, is massively accumulated in the eggs (~20 % total protein). As a toxin PV2 protects eggs from predators, but it also nourishes the developing snail embryos. Structure and stability These ~172-kDa proteins are dimers of AB toxins, each composed of a carbohydrate-binding…
-
Perivitellins are egg proteins found in the perivitelline fluid of many gastropods
Perivitellins are multifunctional complexes providing the developing embryo with nutrition, protection from the environment, and defense against predators. Despite the central role perivitellins play in reproduction and development, there is little information about their role in gastropod Molluscs. Most studies of perivitellins have been performed in eggs of Ampullaridae, a family of freshwater snails (Caenogastropoda), notably the Pomacea genus, mostly…
-
Scalarin carries and stabilizes carotenoid pigments
Scalarin (PsSC) is the most abundant perivitellin of the perivitelline fluid from Pomacea scalaris eggs. This glyco-lipo-caroteno protein is an approx. 380 kDa multimer combining multiple copies of six different 24-35 kDa subunits. As part of the petivitelline fluid, PsSC is probably playing a role as a nutrient source for the developing embryo in Pomacea scalaris eggs. As its orthologous ovorubin and PmPV1, this protein carries and stabilizes carotenoid pigments. As…
-
Clusterin (apolipoprotein J)
Clusterin (apolipoprotein J) is a 75-80 kDa disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein associated with the clearance of cellular debris and apoptosis. In humans, clusterin is encoded by the CLU gene on chromosome 8. CLU is a molecular chaperone responsible for aiding protein folding of secreted proteins, and its three isoforms have been differentially implicated in pro- or antiapoptotic processes. Through this function, CLU is involved in many diseases related to oxidative stress, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, inflammatory diseases, and aging. Structure The CLU gene contains…
-
The Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin (MACPF) superfamily aka MACPF/CDC superfamily
See also: Complement membrane attack complex The Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin (MACPF) superfamily, sometimes referred to as the MACPF/CDC superfamily, is named after a domain that is common to the membrane attack complex (MAC) proteins of the complement system (C6, C7, C8α, C8β and C9) and perforin (PF). Members of this protein family are pore-forming toxins (PFTs). In eukaryotes, MACPF proteins play a role in immunity and development. Archetypal members of the family…
-
The membrane attack complex (MAC) or terminal complement complex (TCC) is a complex of proteins typically formed on the surface of pathogen cell membranes as a result of the activation of the host’s complement system, and as such is an effector of the immune system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia See also: MACPF The membrane attack complex (MAC) or terminal complement complex (TCC) is a complex of proteins typically formed on the surface of pathogen cell membranes as a result of the activation of the host’s complement system, and as such is an effector of the immune system. Antibody-mediated complement activation leads to MAC deposition on the surface of infected cells. Assembly…
-
Complement control protein are proteins that interact with components of the complement system
The complement system is tightly regulated by a network of proteins known as “regulators of complement activation (RCA)” that help distinguish target cells as “self” or “non-self.” A subset of this family of proteins, complement control proteins (CCP), are characterized by domains of conserved repeats that direct interaction with components of the complement system. These “Sushi” domains have…