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The KdpD/KdpE two-component system : integrating K+ homeostasis and virulence
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Freeman, Zoë N., Dorus, Steve and Waterfield, Nicholas R. (2013) The KdpD/KdpE two-component system : integrating K+ homeostasis and virulence. PLoS Pathogens, Volume 9 (Number 3). Article number e1003201. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003201 ISSN 1553-7374.
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WRAP_journal.ppat.1003201.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (854Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1003201
Abstract
The two-component system (TCS) KdpD/KdpE, extensively studied for its regulatory role in potassium (K+) transport, has more recently been identified as an adaptive regulator involved in the virulence and intracellular survival of pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, entero-haemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia pestis, Francisella species, Photorhabdus asymbiotica, and mycobacteria. Key homeostasis requirements monitored by KdpD/KdpE and other TCSs such as PhoP/PhoQ are critical to survival in the stressful conditions encountered by pathogens during host interactions. It follows these TCSs may therefore acquire adaptive roles in response to selective pressures associated with adopting a pathogenic lifestyle. Given the central role of K+ in virulence, we propose that KdpD/KdpE, as a regulator of a high-affinity K+ pump, has evolved virulence-related regulatory functions. In support of this hypothesis, we review the role of KdpD/KdpE in bacterial infection and summarize evidence that (i) KdpD/KdpE production is correlated with enhanced virulence and survival, (ii) KdpE regulates a range of virulence loci through direct promoter binding, and (iii) KdpD/KdpE regulation responds to virulence-related conditions including phagocytosis, exposure to microbicides, quorum sensing signals, and host hormones. Furthermore, antimicrobial stress, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress are associated with KdpD/KdpE activity, and the system's accessory components (which allow TCS fine-tuning or crosstalk) provide links to stress response pathways. KdpD/KdpE therefore appears to be an important adaptive TCS employed during host infection, promoting bacterial virulence and survival through mechanisms both related to and distinct from its conserved role in K+ regulation.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QR Microbiology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Biomedical Sciences > Microbiology & Infection Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Bacteria, Pathogenic microorganisms, Potassium, Virulence (Microbiology), Homeostasis | ||||
Journal or Publication Title: | PLoS Pathogens | ||||
Publisher: | Public Library of Science | ||||
ISSN: | 1553-7374 | ||||
Official Date: | 2013 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | Volume 9 | ||||
Number: | Number 3 | ||||
Page Range: | Article number e1003201 | ||||
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003201 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 26 December 2015 | ||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 26 December 2015 | ||||
Funder: | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC) |
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