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Published on: July 4, 2016

Outer membrane protein A and OprF: versatile roles in Gram-negative bacterial infections

Subramanian Krishnan1, Nemani V Prasadarao

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA, USA.

The FEBS Journal
|January 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is crucial for bacterial pathogenesis. Its extracellular loops mediate host tissue interaction, invasion, and immune evasion, particularly in E. coli K1 meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Bacterial outer membrane proteins

Background:

  • Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is abundant in Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria.
  • OmpA's structural and porin functions are well-established.
  • Its role in bacterial pathogenesis is a recent area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of OmpA in bacterial pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the contribution of OmpA's extracellular loops to disease.
  • To discuss OmpA-like proteins in other bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of OmpA's functions and interactions.
  • Analysis of OmpA's role in E. coli K1 neonatal meningitis.
  • Comparative discussion of OmpA-like proteins (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprF).

Main Results:

  • OmpA's extracellular loops mediate adhesion to and invasion of host cells.
  • Specific regions within OmpA loops are critical for pathogenesis.
  • OmpA contributes to evading host immune defenses.

Conclusions:

  • OmpA is a key virulence factor in Gram-negative bacterial infections.
  • Extracellular loops of OmpA are essential for host-pathogen interactions.
  • OmpA and OmpA-like proteins represent important targets for therapeutic strategies.

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