bacterial pathogenesis

What is it about?

Glutamate is used by carbon sources for this bacteria. On the other hand, the concentration in vivo is quite low. Bacteria tightly regulate expressions of virulence factors depending on environments. We have shown that the type 3 secretion system was up-regulated under nutritional starvation, especially glutamate limitation in Bordetella pertussis.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Before the Fennelly's report confirming the expression of type 3 secretion system in clinical isolates, it had been thought that Bordetella pertussis did not produce type 3 secretion proteins. In this paper, glutamate limitation induced the type 3 secretion proteins at transcriptional level. This finding gives clues to elucidate the role of type 3 secretion system in its host.