February 2008
Neurotoxins and cancer cells: Gangliosides gangs up
Two studies now describe gangliosides as co-receptors of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and as regulators of cancer cell migration.
Original research paper: Journal of Cell Biology 179, 1511-1522 (2007)
doi:10.1083/jcb.200707184Protein-glycan interaction: An umbrella embraces the virus cone
The topology formed by carbohydrate units, and not just their linkage type alone, determines which host cell glycan structures the influenza virus hemagglutinins bind to.
Original research paper: Nature Biotechnology 26, 107-113 (2008)
doi:10.1038/nbt1375