XA bacterial virulence protein promotes pathogenicity by inhibiting the Bacterium's Own F1Fo ATP synthase

Eun Jin Lee, Mauricio H. Pontes, Eduardo A. Groisman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

Abstract

Several intracellular pathogens, including Salmonella enterica and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, require the virulence protein MgtC to survive within macrophages and to cause a lethal infection in mice. We now report that, unlike secreted virulence factors that target the host vacuolar ATPase to withstand phagosomal acidity, the MgtC protein acts on Salmonella's own F 1Fo ATP synthase. This complex couples proton translocation to ATP synthesis/hydrolysis and is required for virulence. We establish that MgtC interacts with the a subunit of the F1F o ATP synthase, hindering ATP-driven proton translocation and NADH-driven ATP synthesis in inverted vesicles. An mgtC null mutant displays heightened ATP levels and an acidic cytoplasm, whereas mgtC overexpression decreases ATP levels. A single amino acid substitution in MgtC that prevents binding to the F1Fo ATP synthase abolishes control of ATP levels and attenuates pathogenicity. MgtC provides a singular example of a virulence protein that promotes pathogenicity by interfering with another virulence protein.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)146
Number of pages1
JournalCell
Volume154
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 3 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'XA bacterial virulence protein promotes pathogenicity by inhibiting the Bacterium's Own F1Fo ATP synthase'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this