Enabling the 'host jump': structural determinants of receptor-binding specificity in influenza A viruses

The shift in the receptor-binding specificity of influenza A viruses is mostly determined by mutations in viral haemagglutinin. In this Review, Gao and colleagues discuss recent crystallographic studies that provide molecular insights into haemagglutinin–host receptor interactions that have enabled several influenza A virus subtypes to ‘jump’ from avian to human hosts. Abstract The recent emergence of the H7N9 avian influenza A virus and its...

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The emerging role of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for urogenital cancers

Extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular signaling and are potential sources of cancer biomarkers. Nawaz and colleagues describe the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles, and the methods available for their isolation and characterization. The authors also discuss current research into the identification of vesicle-derived biomarkers for cancers of the prostate, kidney and bladder. Abstract The knowledge gained from comprehensive profiling...

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