Members of the Francisella tularensis phagosomal transporter subfamily of major facilitator superfamily transporters are critical for pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. Due to its aerosolizable nature and low infectious dose, F. tularensis is classified as a category A select agent and, therefore, is a priority for vaccine development. Survival and replication in macrophages and other cell types are critical to F. tularensis pathogenesis, and impaired intracellular survival has been linked to a reduction in virulence. The F. tularensis genome is predicted to encode 31 major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters, and the nine-member Francisella phagosomal transporter (Fpt) subfamily possesses homology with virulence factors in other intracellular pathogens. We hypothesized that these MFS transporters may play an important role in F. tularensis pathogenesis and serve as good targets for attenu

SUBMITTER: Marohn ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3416476 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature