[2014 Spring Life Sciences & IBB Regular Seminar] 

 

 

▶Subject: A Salmonella Virulence Protein Promotes Pathogenicity by Altering Intracellular ATP Levels
    
 
▶Speaker: Eun-Jin Lee, Ph.D. (Kyung Hee University)
     
 
▶Date: 4:00PM/April/18(Fri)/2014
    
  
▶Place: Auditorium(1F), Postech Biotech Center
    
 
   *Abctract
    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 F1Fo ATP synthase.  This complex couples proton translocation to ATP synthesis/hydrolysis and is itself required for virulence.  We establish that MgtC interacts with the a subunit of the F1Fo ATP synthase, hindering proton translocation and ATP hydrolysis in inverted vesicles.  An mgtC null mutant displayed heightened ATP levels and an acidic cytoplasm whereas mgtC overexpression decreased ATP levels.  A single amino acid substitution in MgtC that prevented binding to the F1Fo ATP synthase abolished control of ATP levels and attenuated pathogenicity.  MgtC provides a singular example of a virulence protein that promotes pathogenicity by interfering with another virulence protein.

 
▶Inquiry: Prof.Hwang, Cheol-Sang (279-2352)
   
 
 * This seminar will be given in English