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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source
Published on: February 7, 2013
HutZ is required for efficient heme utilization and contributes to the pathogenicity of Avibacterium paragallinarum
Caiyun Huo1, Lijiao Jiao1,2, Guiping Li1
1Beijing Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Livestock and Poultry, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences , Beijing, China.
Importance:
Heme utilization (HutZ) protein has been characterized as an important heme-degrading enzyme that is critical for the cleavage of heme to biliverdin via verdoheme and can release iron to be used by bacteria. The interaction between HutZ and Av. paragallinarum is still unknown. Here, we unraveled the role of HutZ on the growth, iron acquisition, heme utilization, and resistance to acidic stress in Av. paragallinarum. We also uncovered the importance of HutZ for the success of Av. paragallinarum infection and provided new clues to the pathogenesis strategies of this organism. This work constitutes a relevant step toward an understanding of the role of HutZ protein as a master virulence factor. Therefore, this study is of great importance for understanding the mechanisms underlying Av. paragallinarum virulence and may contribute to therapeutic applications.
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