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Manganese transport and the role of manganese in virulence

Krisztina M Papp-Wallace1, Michael E Maguire

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4965, USA. krisztina.papp@case.edu

Annual Review of Microbiology
|May 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Manganese (Mn2+) is essential for bacterial virulence, with transporters like Nramp homologs and LraI proteins playing key roles. Disruptions in Mn2+ transport mechanisms significantly decrease bacterial pathogenicity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Recent research highlights the critical role of manganese (Mn2+) in bacterial pathogenesis.
  • Bacterial Nramp homologs and LraI family proteins are identified as Mn2+ transporters.
  • Mutations in these transporters are linked to reduced virulence in various bacterial species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on Mn2+ transport in prokaryotes.
  • To discuss the regulation of prokaryotic Mn2+ transport.
  • To explore Mn2+-related phenotypes in microorganisms, particularly those affecting pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of prokaryotic Mn2+ transport and regulation.
  • Analysis of phenotypes associated with Mn2+ deficiency in microorganisms.
  • Discussion of potential enzymatic roles of Mn2+ in virulence.

Main Results:

  • Mn2+ transport is crucial for the virulence of many bacterial species.
  • Specific bacterial proteins, including Nramp homologs and LraI family members, facilitate Mn2+ uptake.
  • Loss of Mn2+ transport leads to decreased bacterial pathogenicity and altered microbial phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Mn2+ is indispensable for bacterial virulence, likely due to its enzymatic functions.
  • Understanding Mn2+ transport mechanisms offers insights into bacterial pathogenesis.
  • Targeting Mn2+ transport could be a potential strategy for combating bacterial infections.

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