Project description:High frequency transmission, asymptomatic shedding, and airborne spread of Streptococcus pyogenes among schoolchildren exposed to scarlet fever cases
Project description:Pregnant mice were administered anti-miR specific to miR-29a-3p or scrambled control at embryonic day E17 and expression levels of miRNAs were assessed in offspring.
Project description:Transposable elements are abundant in host genomes but are generally considered to be confined to the cell in which they are expressed, with the notable exception of endogenous retroviruses. Here, we identify a group of LTR retrotransposons that infect the germline from somatic cells within the Drosophila ovary, despite lacking the fusogenic Envelope protein typically required for retroviral entry. Instead, these elements encode a short transmembrane protein, sORF2, with structural features reminiscent of viral cell-cell fusogens. Through genetics, imaging, and electron microscopy, we show that sORF2 localizes to invasive somatic protrusions, enabling the direct transfer of retrotransposon capsids into the oocyte. Remarkably, sORF2-like proteins are widespread among insect retrotransposons and also occur in piscine nackednaviruses and avian picornaviruses. These findings reveal a noncanonical, Envelope-independent transmission mechanism shared by retrotransposons and non-enveloped viruses, offering important insights into host-pathogen evolution and soma-germline interactions.
Project description:The goal of OOCYSTOP is based on an innovative concept to block malaria transmission by development of new drugs that will be delivered (1) to oocysts in infected mosquitoes and (2) to early stages in human infection by the sporozoite
