HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Study reveals new information on how viruses enter cells

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A detailed look at a syringe-like structure designed to inject viral DNA into a host cell reveals a unique and complex entry scheme for viruses.

The study may provide clues to how similar viruses infect cells and suggest ways for developing a new class of antibiotics and other drugs to prevent illnesses caused by viral pathogens.

Scientists at Purdue University have solved the three-dimensional structure of the bacteriophage T4 virus, a virus that resembles a lunar lander in both its looks and intricate workings.

The study, published in the Jan. 31 issue of the journal Nature, reveals for the first time how the virus binds to the surface of the host, punctures the cell wall with a syringe-like tube and injects its own genetic blueprint into the cell. This genetic information then sets the cell's machinery to work creating replicas of the virus.

"Though the T4 virus has been studied extensively in the past, this study provides the first detailed information on the virus structure and how it works," says Michael Rossmann, Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at Purdue who directed the study.

Bacteriophage T4 is a virus that infects only bacteria, in this case E. coli, a bacteria used extensively in molecular biology research. The study of bacterial viruses such as T4 is useful in understanding many basic functions in biology, Rossmann says.

"This particular study tells us a great deal about how a virus infects a cell," he says. "These processes tend to be quite general, so mechanisms used by one virus often are similar to mechanisms used by other viruses, including those that infect humans."

Bacteriophages may play a future role in controlling disease-causing bacteria, says Kamal Shukla, the National Science Foundation project officer for this research.

"Knowing the exact mechanism of T4 bacteriophage infectivity is a significant break
'"/>

Contact: Susan Gaidos
sgaidos@purdue.edu
765-494-2081
Purdue University
30-Jan-2002


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Study: Emission of smog ingredients from trees is increasing rapidly
2. Study explores gene transfer to modify underlying course of Alzheimers disease
3. Study reveals why eyes in some paintings seem to follow viewers
4. Study by Israeli scientists provides insight on DNA code
5. Study reveals first genetic step necessary for prostate cancer growth
6. Study of flu patients reveals virus outsmarting key drug
7. Study in Science reveals recreational fishing takes big bite of ocean catch
8. Study suggests cell-cycle triggers might be cancer drug targets
9. Study narrows search for genes placing men at increased risk for prostate cancer
10. Study links high carbohydrate diet to increased breast cancer risk
11. Study explains spatial orientation differences between sexes

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Study reveals new information how viruses enter cells

(Date:6/18/2013)... Arlington environmental engineer has been awarded a $394,300 ... ensure water quality and flow in the new ... Andrew Kruzic, UT Arlington associate professor of civil ... to add monochloramine to the water in an ... pump stations and pipelines. Adding monochloramine is widely ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... The National Institutes of Health has awarded $12.7 ... a selection of pharmaceutical industry compounds to explore ... including Alzheimer,s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and schizophrenia. ... Uses for Existing Molecules, is led by the ... funded by the NIH Common Fund. , The ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... 10% of breast and ovarian cancers are familial in ... attributable to inherited mutations from the parents in genes ... mutations, PARP inhibitors, which are currently in clinical trials, ... option for personalised cancer treatment, an alternative to standard ... of these patients generate resistance to the drug and, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):UT Arlington research to benefit quality, flow in 150-mile Integrated Pipeline 2NIH to fund collaborations with industry to identify new uses for existing compounds 2NIH to fund collaborations with industry to identify new uses for existing compounds 3NIH to fund collaborations with industry to identify new uses for existing compounds 4An article in 'Cell' reveals a new resistance mechanism to chemotherapy in breast and ovarian cancer 2
(Date:6/19/2013)... (PRWEB) June 19, 2013 India’s ... business can potentially be worth up to a ... opportunity, the Indian government is taking serious action ... the process. , This presentation will examine:, ... regulations ,     Immediate and long term impacts ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc. is pleased to publish ... sulfur in ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) using the new ... . The analysis detailed in Rigaku Application Note 1272 ... International Standard specifies an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) ... automotive gasoline. , Regulations around the world have limited ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... A new look at “big glass” and visionary ... highlight technical sessions at SPIE Photomask Technology 2013 ... year, the three-day event is the industry’s largest mask ... 100 technical presentations and numerous networking lunches and receptions. ... and photonics , the meeting will be held at ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... Express Diagnostics Int’l, Inc., manufacturer of ... it has received Class III medical device license approval ... DrugCheck® NxStep Onsite Drug Screen Cup in Canada. ... device in near-patient settings, such as physicians’ offices. , ... Canada Class III approval for 24 different drugs and ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Rigaku Publishes New Application Note for Analysis of ULSD Per ISO 13032 2‘Big Glass’ and Visions for the Future are on the Program for SPIE Photomask Technology 2‘Big Glass’ and Visions for the Future are on the Program for SPIE Photomask Technology 3Express Diagnostics’ DrugCheck® On-site Test Cup Receives Health Canada Class III Medical Device Approval 2Express Diagnostics’ DrugCheck® On-site Test Cup Receives Health Canada Class III Medical Device Approval 3
Cached News: