Resisting death by metal: metabolism and Cu/Zn homeostasis in bacteria.

Metal ions such as zinc and copper play important roles in host-microbe interactions and their availability can drastically affect the survival of pathogenic bacteria in a host niche. Mechanisms of metal homeostasis protect bacteria from starvation, or intoxication, defined as when metals are limiting, or in excess, respectively. In this mini-review, we summarise current knowledge on the mechanisms of resistance to metal stress in bacteria, focussing specifically on the homeostasis of cellular copper and zinc.

Evolution of Copper Homeostasis and Virulence in .

sv. Typhimurium modulates the expression of factors essential for virulence, contributing to its survival against the surge of copper (Cu) in the -containing vacuole. This bactericidal host innate immune component primarily targets the bacterial envelope, where most cuproproteins are localized.