Leprosy lipid provides the key to Schwann cell entry.
A recent study has demonstrated that the species-specific phenolic glycolipid of Mycobacterium leprae triggers uptake into Schwann cells by interaction with laminin-2 and the alpha-dystroglycan receptor. This finding emphasizes the importance of lipids in the biology of mycobacterial infection and suggests possible strategies to combat nerve damage in leprosy.
Young
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DB
Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Norfolk Place, W2 1PG., London, UK. d.young@ic.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000382:microbiology*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000382:microbiology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae