Pathogenic proteins lipid-protein interactions

GSLs play crucial roles in functions of the nervous system and skin, cell growth and differentiation, infections, cancer, and immune response [1, 2, 12], Owing to their strategic position in membranes, they interact with toxins, bacteria, and viruses. They form membrane lipid rafts and present the attached carbohydrates as cell-surface receptors and, thus, serve as portals of entry for pathogens through carbohydrate-protein interactions [13]. For example, HIV entry is mediated by GalCer receptors of the host cells [14],... 

Pathogenic bacteria secrete various vimlence factors that can directly interact with the outer lipid bilayer membrane of eukaryotic cells, inducing cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Such virulence factors account for much of the toxic action associated with bacterial infection therefore the detection of such proteins could provide a methodology for sens-ing/detection of pathogenic bacteria in, for example, food or human tissue. 

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