The Salmonella virulence protein MgtC promotes phosphate uptake inside macrophages

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11318-2
• Publication Date: 2019-07-25T10:03:26Z
• Authors: Soomin Choi; Eunna Choi; Yong-Joon Cho; Daesil Nam; Jangwoo Lee; Eun-Jin Lee
• Keywords: Salmonella enterica; Intracellular parasite; Transport protein

Abstract The MgtC virulence protein from the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica is required for its intramacrophage survival and in mice this requirement of conserved several pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Despite critical role within macrophages, only a few molecular targets have been identified. Here, we report that PhoR histidine kinase activates phosphate transport independently available concentration. A single amino acid substitution prevents binding to MgtC, thus abrogating MgtC-mediated transport. Surprisingly, removal MgtC’s effect on ability renders hypervirulent decreases non-replicating population inside indicating normal pathogenesis. This provides an example directly activating pathogen’s host.