Molecular Basis of Viral and Microbial Pathogenesis: April 9-11, 1987

Elucidation of the mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying the diseases caused by viruses and bacteria has fascinated scientists for many years in two ways. Firstly, these pathogenic agents represent relatively sim- ple biological systems for the study of basic biological processes such as replication, gene regulation, genetic variability and host-pathogen interactions. Secondly, process in this field is valuable in a practi- cal sence, since it can help in the control of these diseases. The avail- ability of new genetic and immunological techniques, especially recom- binant DNA methods and monoclonal antibody technology, has provided powerful tools for unravelling the genetic, biochemical and immunologi- cal basis of viral and microbial pathogenesis. Molecular cloning has allowed the isolation of single genes or groups of genes related to phenotypes which appear to be immunologically important for pathogene- sis. The specific elimination of such genes from the complex genomes of the pathogens can now be achieved with similar genetic techniques. These genetic studies have provided additional information on the role played by specific phenotypic traits in pathogenesis, especially when combined with relevant animal model systems. Furthermore, the struc- tural analysis of important virulence factors and surface antigens may allow the prediction of antigenic domains suitable for the development of new vaccines. The 38th Mosbacher Colloquium focuses on the molecular basis of viral and microbial pathogenesis. The virology part begins with the well- studied plant viroids. The unusual structure of their genome, as well as knowledge about their replication and pathogenicity, are presented.

Contents: Correlation Between Viroid Structure and Pathogenicity.- Antigenicity of the Influenza Haemagglutinin Membrane Glycoprotein.- Viral Glycoproteins as Determinants of Pathogenicity.- Virus Genes Involved in Host Range and Pathogenicity.- Molecular Heterogeneity of Pathogenic Herpus Viruses.- Recombination of Foreign (Viral) DNA with the Host Genome: Studies in Vivo and in a Cell-Free System.- Disorders of Cellular Neuro-Functions by Persistent Viral Infections.- Pathogenic Aspects of Measles Virus-Persistent Infections in Man.- Analysis of the Dual Lineage Specificity of E26 Avian Leukemia Virus.- Mx Gene Control of Influenza Virus Susceptibility.- Shiga and Shika-Like Toxins: A Family of Related Cytotoxins.- Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenicity in Shigella flexneri.- Antigenic Variation of Proteins on the Surface of Pathogenic Neisseriae.- Molecular and Antigenic Architecture of the Antiphagocytic Group A Streptococcal M Protein.- Bacterial Cytolysins that Form Transmembrane Pores.- Bacterial Cytolysins - Extracellular Proteins and Virulence Factors.- Iron as a Signal in Bacterial Infections.- Clostridial Neurotoxins.- The Search for a Common Mode of Action.- Stage-Specifically Expressed Antigenes and Genes in Trypanosoma cruzi.