Protection from avian influenza H5N1 virus infection with antibody-impregnated filters

There is worldwide concern over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic originating from the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses. We herein demonstrate that functional air filters impregnated with ostrich antibodies against the hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus protect chickens from death by H5N1 transmission. These results suggest that the use of ostrich antibody-impregnated filters might be a powerful way to prevent the transmission of H5N1

Heterologous production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes a global transcriptional response resulting in reduced proteasomal activity and increased oxidative stress

Due to their health benefits there is much interest in developing microbial processes for efficient production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In this study we co-expressed Mucor rouxii Delta(12)- and Delta(6)-desaturase genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which resulted in a yeast strain that accumulated linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid in the different lipid species. Additionally, the strain contained higher levels of phospholipids and lower levels of ergosterol than the reference strain. Integrated analysis of the transcriptome revealed decreased expression of genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, but more unexpectedly it also pointed towards attenuated activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and a reduced oxidative stress response. In vitro and in vivo measurements showed reduced levels of all three proteasomal activities and also increased levels of reactive oxidative species in the PUFA-producing strain. Overall our results clearly show that PUFAs in yeast can be detrimental for several key cellular pathways, such as the oxidative stress response and proteasomal activity, suggesting that the membrane composition is of vital importance for these processes

Multiplex epithelium dysfunction due to CLDN10 mutation: the HELIX syndrome

International audienc