Infectious Research
Creative Biolabs has the assays you can rely on for high throughput screening, lead optimization, characterizing and discovering targets, and uncovering the complexity of disease pathways. We can offer membrane protein in vitro assay kits that save valuable laboratory time and is ideal for high throughput screening.
Membrane protein stable cell lines are widely used in many areas of biomedical research. Creative Biolabs can offer membrane protein stable cell lines to stablish in vitro models for High Throughput Screening.
Creative Biolabs has developed a comprehensive list of membrane protein tools to support the development of antibody and other therapeutic. We are dedicated to bringing more value to our clients by providing stock products, more technical resources and custom protein production services.
Creative Biolabs' membrane preparations are useful for membrane protein research. We offer membrane preparations to study the role of membrane proteins in diseases. Membrane preparations from Creative Biolabs are quality-assured frozen membranes from cells expressing recombinant or natural receptors.
Creative Biolabs offers high-quality, innovative tools to help research groups accelerate membrane protein drug discovery. They can be found by targets. If there is no product that meets your needs, please contact us.
Infectious research includes the study of pathogens and the host's response to infection. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and Helminths. Vaccinations and other prophylactic measures can prevent many infectious diseases. Infectious research also focuses on developing new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
Infectious Diseases
- Covid-19
Covid-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which binds to a membrane protein called ACE2 on human cells. Researchers are now targeting this membrane protein to develop treatments for Covid-19. One approach is to design drugs that bind to ACE2 and prevent the virus from binding. Another approach is to design antibodies that bind to ACE2 and block the binding of the virus. This research is still in its early stages but has promising implications for treating Covid-19.
Fig. 1 SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). VZV is a double-stranded DNA virus that encodes for several membrane proteins, including the Varicella-Zoster Virus Glycoproteins (VZVGs). VZVG is a target membrane essential for viral replication and chickenpox infection. Antiviral drugs that target VZVG can effectively treat chickenpox and shorten the duration of the disease.
Fig.2 Model of VZV replication. (Leigh, et al., 2014)
- Measles
Measles is caused by the Measles Virus (MeV), a member of the paramyxovirus family. MeV infection occurs when the virus comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth. There are currently no MeV-specific treatments or vaccines available. So the development of targeted MeV therapy is essential for measles control.
Fig.3 Structure of measles virus (MeV). (Rota, et al., 2016)
Virus Entry Receptors
The cell creates a number of barriers to prevent virus entrance. However, viruses make use of basic biological functions to enter cells and spread their genetic payload. The interactions between virus particles and their receptors on the cell surface essentially determine the pathways used by viruses to enter host cells. These interactions determine how viruses attach, take up residence inside cells, move around inside the cells, and finally enter the cytosol.
Many of the cell surface elements that viruses take advantage of have now been discovered. The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) for human rhinovirus 2 and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) for phleboviruses are just a few examples of the numerous viruses that use single molecular species as receptors. For example, the SARS coronavirus can use the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) or the liver-SIGN (L-SIGN) as receptors, whereas the enterovirus 71 can use the scavenger receptor-B2 (SR-B2) or the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) as a receptor.
Fig.4 Virus receptors. (Grove & Marsh, 2011)
References
- Zerboni, L.; et al. Molecular mechanisms of varicella zoster virus pathogenesis. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2014, 12: 197-210.
- Rota, P.; et al. Measles. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016, 2: 16049.
- Grove, J.; Marsh, M. The cell biology of receptor-mediated virus entry. Journal of Cell Biology. 2011, 195(7): 1071-1082.
