Host-imposed manganese starvation of invading pathogens: two routes to the same destination

Abstract

During infection invading pathogens must acquire all essential nutrients, including first row transition metals, from the host. To combat invaders, the host exploits this fact and restricts the availability of these nutrients using a defense mechanism known as nutritional immunity. While iron sequestration is the most well-known aspect of this defense, recent work has revealed that the host restricts the availability of other essential elements, notably manganese (Mn), during infection. Furthermore, these studies have revealed that the host utilizes multiple strategies that extend beyond metal sequestration to prevent bacteria from obtaining these metals. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which bacteria attempt to obtain the essential first row transition metal ion Mn during infection, and the approaches utilized by the host to prevent this occurrence. In addition, this review will discuss the impact of host-imposed Mn starvation on invading bacteria.