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IMAGE: A new study finds that gasdermin B (GSDMB) pokes holes in bacterial membranes containing cardiolipin as a novel immune defense strategy. Shown are pictures of GSDMB pores embedded in synthetic. view more
Credit: Justin M. Hansen
DALLAS - May 21, 2021 - One member of a large protein family that is known to stop the spread of bacterial infections by prompting infected human cells to self-destruct appears to kill the infectious bacteria instead, a new study led by UT Southwestern scientists shows. However, some bacteria have their own mechanism to thwart this attack, nullifying the deadly protein by tagging it for destruction.