Donna Huber, Author at Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases

A myeloid differentiation-like protein in partnership with Toll5 from the pest insect Spodoptera litura senses baculovirus infection

Donna Huber on October 23, 2024

Many types of viruses infect insects and other arthropods. In contrast, little is known about how arthropods sense viruses, although several innate immune pathways including Toll have antiviral functions. Large DNA viruses in the family Baculoviridae are used to control a number of pest insects. Here, we studied Spodoptera litura and Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) to test …

ANTI-MALARIAL ACTIVITY OF AMENTOFLAVONE ISOLATED FROM LEAF OF CALOPHYLLUM TOMENTOSUM WEIGHT

Donna Huber on October 14, 2024

Calophyllum tomentosum belonging to Clusiaceae family is an Indian medicinal plant used as folklore medicine to cure various kinds of diseases reported in Ayurveda, and the leaves of the plant are also used as an active ingredient for the preparation of a botanical medicine known as ‘Punnaga’, ‘Surapunnaga’ and ‘Tamoil’ among other common names. Chemical …

Lipophilic bisphosphonates reduced cyst burden and ameliorated hyperactivity of mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Donna Huber on October 10, 2024

The current treatments for toxoplasmosis are only active against fast-growing tachyzoites, present in acute infections, with little effect on slow-growing bradyzoites within tissue cysts, present in latent chronic infections. The mitochondrion of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for its survival, and one of the major anti-parasitic drugs, atovaquone, inhibits the mitochondrial electron transport chain at the coenzyme Q:cytochrome …

Regional changes of maximum dose insecticide responses in diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) populations from Georgia and Florida, USA

Donna Huber on October 10, 2024

Maximum dose bioassays were conducted to assess the efficacy of multiple registered active ingredients for diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), control in Georgia and Florida from 2021 to 2023 as a follow-up to an earlier study. Low efficacy (<40% mortality) was recorded for the highest labeled rate of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki strain ATBS-351 …

Acidocalcisome localization of membrane transporters and enzymes in Trypanosoma brucei

Donna Huber on October 9, 2024

Acidocalcisomes of Trypanosoma brucei are membrane-bounded organelles characterized by their acidity and high content of polyphosphate and cations, like calcium and magnesium. They have important roles in cation and phosphorus storage, osmoregulation, autophagy initiation, calcium signaling, and virulence. Acidocalcisomes of T. brucei possess several membrane transporters, pumps, and channels, some of which were identified …

Researchers discover malaria gene needed to make pair of invasion organelles

Donna Huber on October 2, 2024

by Donna Huber Vasant Muralidharan and his research group at the University of Georgia's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases have uncovered the role of an essential protein in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria. The discovery offers new insights for vaccine and drug development. The parasite that causes …

Plasmodium RON11 triggers biogenesis of the merozoite rhoptry pair and is essential for erythrocyte invasion

Donna Huber on September 30, 2024

Malaria is a global and deadly human disease caused by the apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Parasite proliferation within human red blood cells (RBCs) is associated with the clinical manifestations of the disease. This asexual expansion within human RBCs begins with the invasion of RBCs by P. falciparum, which is mediated by the …

A kalihinol analog disrupts apicoplast function and vesicular trafficking in P. falciparum malaria

Donna Huber on September 27, 2024

We report the discovery of MED6-189, an analog of the kalihinol family of isocyanoterpene natural products that is effective against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, blocking both asexual replication and sexual differentiation. In vivo studies using a humanized mouse model of malaria confirm strong efficacy of the compound in animals with no apparent hemolytic activity …

Current Status of the Diagnosis of Brugia spp. Infections

Donna Huber on September 23, 2024

Filarial nematodes of the genus Brugia include parasites that are significant to both human and veterinary medicine. Accurate diagnosis is essential for managing infections by these parasites and supporting elimination programs. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as microscopy and serology, remain vital, especially in resource-limited settings. However, advancements in molecular diagnostics, including nucleic acid amplification tests, offer enhanced …

The GPI sidechain of Toxoplasma gondii inhibits parasite pathogenesis

Donna Huber on September 20, 2024

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are highly conserved anchors for eukaryotic cell surface proteins. The apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread intracellular parasite of warm-blooded animals whose plasma membrane is covered with GPI-anchored proteins, and free GPIs called GIPLs. While the glycan portion is conserved, species differ in sidechains added to the triple mannose core. The …

Author: Donna Huber