How does Mycobacterium leprae target the peripheral nervous system?
Mycobacterium leprae has the capacity to invade the peripheral nervous system and cause neuropathy. The molecular mechanisms responsible have remained unknown until recently. Identification of the endoneurial laminin-2 isoform and its receptor alpha-dystroglycan as neural targets of M. leprae has not only opened up a new area of scientific inquiry into the pathogenesis of neurological damage in leprosy, but has also revealed unexpected biological properties of these important host molecules.
Rambukkana
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Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. rambuka@rockvax.rockefeller.edu
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D049030:Dystroglycans; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000382:microbiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000382:microbiology*
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C483081:DAG1 protein, human; D007797:Laminin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D049030:Dystroglycans