mSphere of Influence: Intermetal Competition during Manganese Toxicity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Julia E. Martin works in the field of metals in biology, with a focus on manganese (Mn) homeostasis in Streptococcus pneumoniae. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the paper entitled “Role of the manganese efflux system mntE for signalling and pathogenesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae” (J. W. Rosch, G. Gao, G. Ridout, Y.-D. Wang, and E. I. Tuomanen, Mol Microbiol 72:12–25, 2009, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06638.x) has impacted her thinking and research direction toward investigating the molecular underpinnings of why and how bacteria maintain optimal intracellular Mn levels.

Keywords

• Streptococcus
• metal homeostasis
• manganese