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A new direction for manganese homeostasis in bacteria: identification of a novel efflux system in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Nicholas JakubovicsORCiD, Professor Ruth Valentine

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Abstract

The ability to control intracellular levels of transition metals such as Mn2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ is critical for the virulence of many pathogenic bacteria. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Rosch et al. describe the first identification of a Mn2+ efflux system in bacteria, MntE of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and demonstrate that it is required for virulence in an animal model. Disruption of the mntE gene leads to widespread transcriptional changes that are distinct from responses to extracellular Mn2+. These findings reveal, for the first time, that a bacterial trace metal efflux system plays a role in disease. Thus, MntE represents a new lead for the development of antimicrobials specifically aimed at disrupting microbial metal ion homeostasis.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Jakubovics NS, Valentine RA

Publication type: Editorial

Publication status: Published

Journal: Molecular Microbiology

Year: 2009

Volume: 72

Issue: 1

Pages: 1-4

ISSN (print): 0950-382X

ISSN (electronic):

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06637.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06637.x

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