Nutritional Immunity: Transition Metals at the Pathogen-host Interface

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2012 Jul 17

PMID 22796883

Citations 789

Authors

M Indriati Hood

Eric P Skaar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Transition metals occupy an essential niche in biological systems. Their electrostatic properties stabilize substrates or reaction intermediates in the active sites of enzymes, and their heightened reactivity is harnessed for catalysis. However, this heightened activity also renders transition metals toxic at high concentrations. Bacteria, like all living organisms, must regulate their intracellular levels of these elements to satisfy their physiological needs while avoiding harm. It is therefore not surprising that the host capitalizes on both the essentiality and toxicity of transition metals to defend against bacterial invaders. This Review discusses established and emerging paradigms in nutrient metal homeostasis at the pathogen-host interface.

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