Modulation of bacterial virulence and fitness by host glutathione. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ku, Joanne WK; Gan, Yunn-Hwen
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 47(2019)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2018.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Host derived GSH has an emergent role in modifying bacterial fitness and virulence. Cytosolic pathogens use host GSH as a spacio-temporal cue to activate virulence. GSH modifies the activity of bacterial transcriptional regulators. S-glutathionylation of virulence factors acts as a reversible switch for activity. Abstract : Glutathione is a low molecular weight thiol that is important for maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. Some bacteria are able to import exogenous glutathione as a nutritional source and to counter oxidative stress. In cytosolic pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Listeria monocytogenes, host glutathione regulates bacterial virulence. In B. pseudomallei, glutathione activates the membrane-bound histidine kinase sensor VirA that leads to activation of the Type VI Secretion System. In L. monocytogenes, host glutathione leads to the binding of bacterial glutathione to the master virulence regulator PrfA as an allosteric activator. Glutathione can also modulate virulence factors to control their activity by S-glutathionylation. Thus, host glutathione acts as a spacio-temporal cue for some pathogens to switch on their virulence programs at the right time and place.