SB2013 L04gr5: Difference between revisions
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<StructureSection load='1l8w' size='400' side='right' scene='' caption='Variable surface antigen (VlsE) (PDB code [[1l8w]])'> | |||
=VlsE= | =VlsE= | ||
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease Lyme disease] is the most pervasive tick-borne disease in Europe, the United States,and parts of Asia.<ref name="Coutte" /> It is a multistage infection caused by the spirochete [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borrelia_burgdorferi ''Borrelia burgdorferi'']. Early symptoms include headaches, depression, rash, and fever. If Lyme disease is left untreated, serious complications of the joints, heart and central nervous system can occur. Infected [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes ''Ixodes'' ticks] in their nymph stage transmit Lyme disease by attaching to humans and other mammals<ref name="Lab Tutor" />. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted.<ref name="CDC" /> | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease Lyme disease] is the most pervasive tick-borne disease in Europe, the United States,and parts of Asia.<ref name="Coutte" /> It is a multistage infection caused by the spirochete [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borrelia_burgdorferi ''Borrelia burgdorferi'']. Early symptoms include headaches, depression, rash, and fever. If Lyme disease is left untreated, serious complications of the joints, heart and central nervous system can occur. Infected [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixodes ''Ixodes'' ticks] in their nymph stage transmit Lyme disease by attaching to humans and other mammals<ref name="Lab Tutor" />. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted.<ref name="CDC" /> | ||
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Within the variable domain, there are invariable regions that remain unchanged during antigenic variation, and therefore may be targets of an immune response. IR6, the most conserved IR, has been found to be immunodominant. The antigencity of each of the 6 IRs has been studied using peptide-based enzyme linked immunosorbent essays, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELISA ELISA].<ref name="Liang" /> | Within the variable domain, there are invariable regions that remain unchanged during antigenic variation, and therefore may be targets of an immune response. IR6, the most conserved IR, has been found to be immunodominant. The antigencity of each of the 6 IRs has been studied using peptide-based enzyme linked immunosorbent essays, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELISA ELISA].<ref name="Liang" /> | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
=Structure= | =Structure= | ||
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[[Image:VlsE 2-d image.jpg]] | [[Image:VlsE 2-d image.jpg|left|500px|thumb]] | ||
{{Clear}} | |||
Figure 1 shows the different domains of VlsE using a simplified 2-D representation of the lipoprotein. | Figure 1 shows the different domains of VlsE using a simplified 2-D representation of the lipoprotein. | ||
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=Invariable Regions= | =Invariable Regions= | ||
Interspersed in the variable regions of the variable domain are six invariable regions (IR1-IR6). Although located on the membrane distal region of the protein, the IRs are buried within the protein and have little exposure to the surface. The IRs might be further hidden from surface exposure due to the possible dimerization of VlsE, forming a shield at the monomer-monomer interface.<ref name="Eicken" />These six IRs do not undergo changes during antigenic variation and are present in many strains and genospecies of ''B. burgdorferi''<ref name="Zhang and Norris" />. | Interspersed in the variable regions of the variable domain are six invariable regions (IR1-IR6). Although located on the membrane distal region of the protein, the IRs are buried within the protein and have little exposure to the surface. The IRs might be further hidden from surface exposure due to the possible dimerization of VlsE, forming a shield at the monomer-monomer interface.<ref name="Eicken" />These six IRs do not undergo changes during antigenic variation and are present in many strains and genospecies of ''B. burgdorferi''<ref name="Zhang and Norris" />. | ||
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Though VlsE has been the object of intense scrutiny by researchers, there is still much to be understood. Future experiments may include further studies of the invariable regions, with a specific focus on IR6. IR6 is known to be highly conserved and thus, elicit immunogenic responses in the host once it is exposed. However, the function of IR6 for the survival of the spirochete is unknown. Focusing on how the invariable regions contribute to the virulence of ''B. borgdorferi'' may continue to increase our understanding of the function of VlsE. | Though VlsE has been the object of intense scrutiny by researchers, there is still much to be understood. Future experiments may include further studies of the invariable regions, with a specific focus on IR6. IR6 is known to be highly conserved and thus, elicit immunogenic responses in the host once it is exposed. However, the function of IR6 for the survival of the spirochete is unknown. Focusing on how the invariable regions contribute to the virulence of ''B. borgdorferi'' may continue to increase our understanding of the function of VlsE. | ||
Designing the | Designing the Proteopedia page has greatly increased our understanding of VlsE. Through the process of creating green links to highlight the important functional aspects of VlsE’s structure, the process of relating the structural components of VlsE to its function became more coherent. Researching other articles that studied different aspects of VlsE also allowed us to better comprehend the function of this lipoprotein. In addition, working as a team helped to solidify certain concepts, as members of the group were able to help each other through the process of learning. Creating the Proteopedia webpage project has thus been a useful supplement in enhancing our understanding of VlsE. | ||
</StructureSection> | |||
__NOTOC__ | |||
==See also [[VlsE]]== | |||
=References= | =References= | ||