Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Imaging InlC Secretion to Investigate Cellular Infection by the Bacterial Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: September 19, 2013
Structure, Substrate Specificity and Role of Lon Protease in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Survival
Perumalraja Kirthika1,2, Khristine Kaith Sison Lloren3, Vijayakumar Jawalagatti1,2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
Abstract:
Proteases are the group of enzymes that carry out proteolysis in all forms of life and play an essential role in cell survival. By acting on specific functional proteins, proteases affect the transcriptional and post-translational pathways in a cell. Lon, FtsH, HslVU and the Clp family are among the ATP-dependent proteases responsible for intracellular proteolysis in bacteria. In bacteria, Lon protease acts as a global regulator, governs an array of important functions such as DNA replication and repair, virulence factors, stress response and biofilm formation, among others. Moreover, Lon is involved in the regulation of bacterial metabolism and toxin-antitoxin systems. Hence, understanding the contribution and mechanisms of Lon as a global regulator in bacterial pathogenesis is crucial. In this review, we discuss the structure and substrate specificity of the bacterial Lon protease, as well as its ability to regulate bacterial pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

