A bacterial sensory system that activates resistance to innate immune defenses: potential targets for antimicrobial therapeutics

Mol Interv. 2005 Dec;5(6):335-7. doi: 10.1124/mi.5.6.4.

Abstract

Bacteria posses multiple two component regulatory systems consisting typically of a kinase and a transcription factor that, in concert, monitor the concentrations of particular extracellular factors and regulate specific gene expression accordingly. Salmonella possess PhoP-PhoQ, which are activated under conditions of suboptimal [Mg(2+)] and result in gene expression leading to greater stability of the outer membrane. New research identifies PhoQ as a receptor for sublethal concentrations of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), adapting bacteria for survival. The development of AMPs that do not activate Phop-PhoQ, however, should proceed with great caution: AMPs are part of the host innate immune response and bacterial resistance to newly developed AMPs could possibly lead to intractable infection in immunocompetent hosts.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / immunology*
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Magnesium / physiology
  • Salmonella enterica / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • PhoQ protein, Bacteria
  • Virulence Factors
  • PhoP protein, Bacteria
  • Magnesium