Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 10.4
Continued
10.10
GSLs as Attachment Sites for Viruses, Bacteria and Toxins
Various pathogens attach to cell surface GSLs, subsequently abusing GSL- enriched
microdomains as platforms, for example to enter the cells via endocytosis. These
pathogens can either be bacteria, viruses or toxins (for details on the host- patho-
gen interaction, please see Chapter 17). The identifi cation of these lectins will
provide a basis for prevention and treatment of infections (for details, see Chapters
4 , 17 and 28). This is exemplifi ed by the use of glycolipid analogs and glycoclusters
to block pathogen binding to their host cells (please see Chapters 4 and 17.3 ). As
tools, several toxins have also attracted considerable attention due to their ability
to specifi cally modify macromolecules that are required for essential cellular func-
tions such as vesicular traffi cking, cytoskeletal assembly, signaling or protein
synthesis [18]. The classical and most well-characterized example is AB
5
- cholera
toxin, which enters the cell by binding to ganglioside GM1 and mediates its
intracellular effects by activating adenylate cyclase to lead to diarrhea [19] . In
