Science: "Detergent" widely present in cells

Researchers have discovered that a molecule that spreads throughout the body can kill invading bacteria like a detergent, thereby eliminating oil stains

Howard Hughes Medical Institute researcher John MacMicking and his colleagues reported in the July 15, 2021 issue of Science that this deadly cleanser, a protein called APOL3, prevents it by dissolving bacterial membranes.

This work provides new insights into how human cells resist infection, a process known as cell autonomous immunity

MacMicking hopes that this discovery will one day help develop new infection treatments.

Break through obstacles

When it comes to defending the human body, special cells of the immune system play the role of cell bodyguards

The researchers infected some of these non-immune cells with a salmonella, which invades the aqueous interior of the cell

The research team found that the interferon-gamma warning signal can prevent Salmonella from taking over human cells, but the researchers don’t know which proteins rescued human cells

Like washing powder, APOL3 has a part attracted by water and a part attracted by grease

MacMicking said that this process must be highly selective, because APOL3 needs to avoid attacking the membranes of human cells themselves

New defender

APOL3 may be present in the toolbox of many cells

This detergent-like molecule found in non-immune cells "provides more evidence for the idea that any cell in the body may be part of the immune system," the Weill Cornell School of Medicine studies the interaction between the host and the pathogen.

Whether it is perforation, poisoning, or starving pathogens, the immune system has developed several methods to kill threatening cells

Researchers have a long way to go before applying this discovery to the treatment of infections

Original Search: Ryan G.