| During an infection, pathogens subvert their host for growth while the host seeks to recognize and eliminate the pathogen. The work presented explores the molecular structures of several pathogen and host proteins directly involved in these types of host pathogen interactions. Two pathogen proteins, TgPRF, involved in the host innate immune response to Toxoplasma gondii , and the hookworm protein, AceES-2, which modulates the host immune response were studied, as well as two host immune receptors, NOD1 and NOD2, and a signaling factor, TIRAP. Cases of unsuccessful attempts to crystallize the NOD proteins and TIRAP are described. The successful crystallization, structure determination and biochemical characterization of the two pathogenic parasite proteins are presented, which further our understanding of their parasite's interactions with a host. The novel features in these proteins also highlight the value of structural insight for guiding functional and biochemical studies. |
