Biomaterial Database

Cord factor (alpha,alpha-trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate) inhibits fusion between phospholipid vesicles. 1991

B J Spargo, and L M Crowe, and T Ioneda, and B L Beaman, and J H Crowe

Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis 95616.

The persistence of numerous pathogenic bacteria important in disease states, such as tuberculosis, in humans and domestic animals has been ascribed to an inhibition of fusion between the phagosomal vesicles containing the bacteria and lysosomes in the host cells [Elsbach, P. & Weiss, J. (1988) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 974, 29-52; Thoen, C. O. (1988) J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 193, 1045-1048]. In tuberculosis this effect has been indirectly attributed to the production of cord factor (alpha,alpha-trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate). We show here that cord factor is extraordinarily effective at inhibiting Ca2(+)-induced fusion between phospholipid vesicles and suggest a mechanism by which cord factor confers this effect. These findings are likely to be important in our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of many diseases of bacterial etiology.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008081	Liposomes	Artificial, single or multilaminar vesicles (made from lecithins or other lipids) that are used for the delivery of a variety of biological molecules or molecular complexes to cells, for example, drug delivery and gene transfer. They are also used to study membranes and membrane proteins.	Niosomes,Transferosomes,Ultradeformable Liposomes,Liposomes, Ultra-deformable,Liposome,Liposome, Ultra-deformable,Liposome, Ultradeformable,Liposomes, Ultra deformable,Liposomes, Ultradeformable,Niosome,Transferosome,Ultra-deformable Liposome,Ultra-deformable Liposomes,Ultradeformable Liposome
D008561	Membrane Fusion	The adherence and merging of cell membranes, intracellular membranes, or artificial membranes to each other or to viruses, parasites, or interstitial particles through a variety of chemical and physical processes.	Fusion, Membrane,Fusions, Membrane,Membrane Fusions
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008968	Molecular Conformation	The characteristic three-dimensional shape of a molecule.	Molecular Configuration,3D Molecular Structure,Configuration, Molecular,Molecular Structure, Three Dimensional,Three Dimensional Molecular Structure,3D Molecular Structures,Configurations, Molecular,Conformation, Molecular,Conformations, Molecular,Molecular Configurations,Molecular Conformations,Molecular Structure, 3D,Molecular Structures, 3D,Structure, 3D Molecular,Structures, 3D Molecular
D009616	Nocardia asteroides	A species of bacterium of the family NOCARDIACEAE, producing pulmonary infections in man.
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D003311	Cord Factors	Toxic glycolipids composed of trehalose dimycolate derivatives. They are produced by MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS and other species of MYCOBACTERIUM. They induce cellular dysfunction in animals.	Trehalose Dimycolates,Cord Factor,Trehalose-6,6'-Dimycolate,Dimycolates, Trehalose,Factor, Cord,Factors, Cord,Trehalose 6,6' Dimycolate