Work

Structural and Functional Studies Indicate That Shigella VirA Is Not a Protease and Does Not Directly Destabilize Microtubules

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: VirA, an essential virulence factor in Shigella disease pathogenesis, is involved in the uptake, motility, and cell-to-cell spread of Shigella organisms within the human host. These functions have been attributed to a VirA protease activity and a mechanism of microtubule destruction via tubulin degradation [Yoshida, S., et al. (2006) Science 314, 985-989]. We report functional and crystallographic data indicating a novel VirA structure that lacks these activities but highlights the homology to the EspG virulence factor of pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Source: Biochemistry

DOI: 10.1021/bi801533k

Authors: Katherine L. Germane, Ryoma Ohi, Marcia B. Goldberg, Benjamin W. Spiller

Institutions: Massachusetts General Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Escherichia coli research studies

Subfield: Endocrinology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases