| Target |
Rotaviruses, a genus of the family Reoviridae, are double-stranded RNA viruses that are one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in infants and young children. The virus exists as seven species, designated Rotavirus A, B, C, D, E, F and G, with Rotavirus A being the most common cause of infection. Rotavirus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and, once in the body, infects cells of the small intestine, producing an enterotoxin that alters the perme ability of the cell wall, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. The entry of Rotavirus into cells occurs by either direct penetration of the cell membrane or endocytosis followed by membrane vesicle solubilization, both of which are facilitated by the Rotavirus capsid. The Rotavirus capsid is composed of three concentric protein layers, the outer two of which are called VP4 and VP7 and are sacrificed in a calcium-dependent manner during viral entry into the cell. |
| Function |
Salmonella typhimurium, a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, flagellated member of the Enterobacteria family, is a potent a food-borne pathogen. It is the leading cause of a form of human gastroenteritis commonly referred to as Salmonellosis. Salmonellosis causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection and may last for up to 7 days. Salmonella typhimurium is readily transmitted through the feces of people or animals. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the result of the joining of a lipid and a polysac charide (carbohydrate) by a covalent bond. LPS is a major component of the cell membrane of all Gram-negative bacteria, and it contributes greatly to the structural integrity of the bacteria, protecting the membrane from certain types of chemical attacks. LPS is an endotoxin, and induces a strong response from normal animal immune systems, causing many of the characteristic symptoms of the infection. |
