• Fluorescence reveals colocalisation of DNT and fibronectin
    DNT and fibronectin are colocalised in infected pig cells, fluorescence microscopy finds

Electrophoretic separations

Fluorescence reveals colocalisation of DNT and fibronectin

Bordetella dermonecrotic toxin (DNT), an infection found in pigs, has been examined using fluorescence microscopy by scientists writing in BMC Microbiology.

A team from Osaka University's Research Institute for Microbial Diseases and the department of veterinary environmental sciences at Osaka Prefecture University used mass spectrometry (MS) to identify a cellular component in their study.

This was seen to be cross-linked with DNT and conjugated via a cross-linker, with the MS identifying the cellular component as fibronectin.

However, they were unable to determine the fibronectin network as being involved in intoxicating cells or acting as a receptor for DNT.

The colocalisation between the two was seen not only in DNT-sensitive cells, but also in those less capable of repelling the threat.

Despite this, the researchers do suggest that the fibronectin network may serve a role in providing DNT with a place to sit in small amounts while targeting the cells it is attacking.

BMC Microbiology carries peer-reviewed research into eukaryotic and prokaryotic micro-organisms, parasites and viruses.

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