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Metal-Limited Growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae for Characterization of Metal-Responsive Genes and Metal Acquisition from Host Ligands

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Nutritional immunity: transition metals at the pathogen-host interface.

M Indriati Hood¹, Eric P Skaar

¹Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, A5102 MCN, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology

|July 17, 2012

Summary

Transition metals are vital for bacteria but toxic at high levels. Hosts exploit this metal duality to combat bacterial infections, a key aspect of pathogen-host interactions.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Microbiology
Immunology

Background:

Transition metals are essential for biological processes, including enzyme catalysis, due to their unique electrostatic properties and reactivity.
However, elevated concentrations of transition metals can be toxic to living organisms, necessitating strict intracellular regulation.
Bacteria, like all organisms, must maintain metal homeostasis to balance essential needs with toxicity avoidance.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the established and emerging strategies governing nutrient metal homeostasis at the pathogen-host interface.
To elucidate how hosts utilize the dual nature (essentiality and toxicity) of transition metals in their defense against bacterial pathogens.

Main Methods:

This review synthesizes current knowledge from existing literature.
It discusses established and emerging paradigms in metal homeostasis research.

Main Results:

Hosts leverage the essentiality and toxicity of transition metals to restrict bacterial growth.
Understanding metal regulation is crucial for developing novel antimicrobial strategies.

Conclusions:

Nutrient metal homeostasis is a critical battleground in host-pathogen interactions.
Targeting metal acquisition or management pathways presents a promising avenue for novel therapeutics against bacterial infections.