Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

The KdpD/KdpE two-component system : integrating K+ homeostasis and virulence

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

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.

[img]
Preview
Text
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

Request Changes to record.

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
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
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
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:
DateEvent
2013Published
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)

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us