Listeria monocytogenes TcyKLMN Cystine/Cysteine Transporter Facilitates Glutathione Synthesis and Virulence Gene Expression
Moran Brenner, Sivan Friedman, Adi Haber, Nurit Livnat‐Levanon, Ilya Borovok, Nadejda Sigal, Oded Lewinson, Anat A. Herskovits
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens sense the repertoire of metabolites in the mammalian niche and use this information to shift into the pathogenic state to accomplish a successful infection. Glutathione is a virulence-activating signal that is synthesized by L. monocytogenes during infection of mammalian cells. In this study, we show that cysteine uptake via TcyKLMN drives glutathione synthesis and virulence gene expression. The data emphasize the intimate cross-regulation between metabolism and virulence in bacterial pathogens.
Topics & Concepts
Listeria monocytogenesVirulenceCysteineGlutathioneCystineMicrobiologyTransporterGene expressionGeneChemistryVirulence factorBiologyBiochemistryBacteriaGeneticsEnzymeSulfur Compounds in BiologySalmonella and Campylobacter epidemiologyListeria monocytogenes in Food Safety