Zinc piracy as a mechanism of Neisseria meningitidis for evasion of nutritional immunity.

ABSTRACT: The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria functions as a permeability barrier that protects these bacteria against harmful compounds in the environment. Most nutrients pass the outer membrane by passive diffusion via pore-forming proteins known as porins. However, diffusion can only satisfy the growth requirements if the extracellular concentration of the nutrients is high. In the vertebrate host, the sequestration of essential nutrient metals is an important defense mechanism that limits the growth of invading pathogens, a process known as "nutritional immunity." The acquisition of scarce nutrients from the environment is mediated by receptors in the outer membrane in an energy-requiring process. Most characterized receptors are involved in the acquisition of iron. In this study, we ch

SUBMITTER: Stork M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3814407 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature