Certain bacteria can override a defence mechanism of the immune system, so-called programmed cell death, through inhibition of death effector molecules by their outer membranes components. Shigella bacteria, which cause diarrhoea, use lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on their surface to block the effector caspases. Lipopolysaccharides are a component of the bacterial outerRead More →
Immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies serve as key detection molecules in the immune system. Antibodies refers to proteins that are produced in B-lymphocytes by the body’s immune system in response to foreign substances or infections, including bacteria or viruses. There are five major classes (isotypes) of immunoglobulins: IgA (immunoglobin A) IgDRead More →
Mycoplasma is an atypical bacterial genus which main characteristic is that naturally lacks cells walls and are the smallest and simplest self-replicating bacteria. The presence of sterols in the plasma membrane helps in regulation of membrane fluidity and protects from osmotic lysis so they don’t need a wall. Some mycoplasma species are pathogenic inRead More →
