Lipoprotein e (P4) of Haemophilus influenzae: role in heme utilization and pathogenesis

Microbes Infect. 2007 Jul;9(8):932-9. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2007.03.013. Epub 2007 Apr 5.

Abstract

Lipoprotein e (P4) of Haemophilus influenzae is a phosphomonoesterase, encoded by the hel gene, that has been implicated in the acquisition of heme by this fastidious organism. However, lipoprotein e (P4) is also involved in the utilization of NAD and NMN. Some reports have concluded that the reported heme-related growth defect actually reflects a growth defect for NAD. In the current study, hel insertion mutants were constructed and a role for e (P4) in heme acquisition was demonstrated independent of its role in NAD or NMN acquisition. In addition, a rat model of infection demonstrated a role for e (P4) in the pathogenesis of invasive disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteremia / physiopathology
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Culture Media
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Esterases / genetics
  • Esterases / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Haemophilus Infections / microbiology
  • Haemophilus Infections / physiopathology
  • Haemophilus influenzae / growth & development
  • Haemophilus influenzae / metabolism*
  • Haemophilus influenzae / pathogenicity*
  • Heme / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / genetics
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Culture Media
  • Lipoproteins
  • e(P4) lipoprotein, Haemophilus influenzae
  • Heme
  • Esterases