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Published on: March 4, 2020
Control of nutrient metal availability during host-microbe interactions: beyond nutritional immunity
1Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK. karrera.djoko@durham.ac.uk.
Abstract:
The control of nutrient availability is an essential ecological function of the host organism in host-microbe systems. Although often overshadowed by macronutrients such as carbohydrates, micronutrient metals are known as key drivers of host-microbe interactions. The ways in which host organisms control nutrient metal availability are dictated by principles in bioinorganic chemistry. Here I ponder about the actions of metal-binding molecules from the host organism in controlling nutrient metal availability to the host microbiota. I hope that these musings will encourage new explorations into the fundamental roles of metals in the ecology of diverse host-microbe systems.
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