A role for insect galectins in parasite survival

Article Abstract:

The exploitation of insect galectins, which are associated with embryonic developments by parasites for survival in their insect hosts, is shown. PpGalec, a tandem repeat galectin expressed in the midgut of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi, is used by Leishmania major as a receptor for mediating specific binding to the insect midgut, an event crucial for parasite survival and accounts for species-specific vector competence.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Maternal Wnt11 activates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway required for axis formation in Xenopus embryos

Article Abstract:

The study provides three lines of evidence that the pathway specifying the dorsal axis is activated extracellulary in Xenopus embryos. It is shown that Wnt11 is necessary and sufficient for axis specification upstream of beta-catenin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and FRL1 may be cofactors for Wnt11 in the context of the axis initiation pathway.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code:

Sex and death: What is the connection?

Article Abstract:

The relationship between sex and death is investigated with reference to the effects of insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) and dietary restriction (DR) on the life span and fecundity in C. elegans and Drosophila. The findings suggest that the life span gets extended and fecundity gets reduced due to dietary restrictions.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

Comment:  (50-4000 characters)

Name:

E-mail:

Security Code: