Journal
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
Volume 36, Issue 2, Pages 435-462Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2011.00301.x
Keywords
human bacterial pathogens; nonpathogenic relatives; extra- and intracellular replication; carbon metabolism; virulence gene expression
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Funding
- German Research Foundation (DFG) [SPP1316, EI-384/6, FU-375/5, GO168/28-1, SFB479, TR34]
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Most bacteria pathogenic for humans have closely related nonpathogenic counterparts that live as saprophytes, commensals or even symbionts (mutualists) in similar or different habitats. The knowledge of how these bacteria adapt their metabolism to the preferred habitats is critical for our understanding of pathogenesis, commensalism and symbiosis, and in the case of bacterial pathogens could help to identify targets for new antimicrobial agents. The focus of this review is on the metabolic potentials and adaptations of three different groups of human extra- and intracellular bacterial pathogens and their nonpathogenic relatives. All bacteria selected have the potential to reach the interior of mammalian host cells. However, their ability to replicate intracellularly differs significantly. The question therefore arises whether there are specific metabolic requirements that support stable intracellular replication. Furthermore, we discuss whenever relevant data for the pathogenic representatives are available the possible effect of the metabolism on the expression of virulence genes.
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