Bacterial Mg2+ homeostasis, transport, and virulence

Annu Rev Genet. 2013:47:625-46. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genet-051313-051025. Epub 2013 Sep 20.

Abstract

Organisms must maintain physiological levels of Mg(2+) because this divalent cation is critical for the stabilization of membranes and ribosomes, for the neutralization of nucleic acids, and as a cofactor in a variety of enzymatic reactions. In this review, we describe the mechanisms that bacteria utilize to sense the levels of Mg(2+) both outside and inside the cytoplasm. We examine how bacteria achieve Mg(2+) homeostasis by adjusting the expression and activity of Mg(2+) transporters and by changing the composition of their cell envelope. We discuss the connections that exist between Mg(2+) sensing, Mg(2+) transport, and bacterial virulence. Additionally, we explore the logic behind the fact that bacterial genomes encode multiple Mg(2+) transporters and distinct sensing systems for cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic Mg(2+). These analyses may be applicable to the homeostatic control of other cations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cations / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Homeostasis
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Magnesium / metabolism*
  • Riboswitch
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cations
  • Riboswitch
  • Magnesium