Hilbi H. Project

Metabolism of phytate and inositol by Legionella and implications for bacterial virulence

The environmental bacterium Legionella pneumophila causes a severe pneumonia termed “Legionnaires’ disease”. L. pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen that grows in nutrient broth, as well as within a distinct vacuole in free-living amoebae and lung macrophages. Amino acids are regarded the prime carbon and energy source of L. pneumophila. However, genome sequences, transcriptome data and metabolism studies indicate that L. pneumophila possess broad metabolic capacities and also utilizes carbohydrates. To replicate intracellularly, L. pneumophila translocates into host cells several “effector proteins” that target phosphoinositide (PI) lipids. A translocated PI phosphatase is structurally related to phytases (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate phosphatases), raising the possibility that a dual function enzyme directly links metabolism and virulence of L. pneumophila. In this project we analyze extra- and intracellular growth of L. pneumophila on phytate and inositol using genetic, biochemical and cellular microbial approaches.

Prof. Dr. Hubert Hilbi
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
Max von Pettenkofer Institute
Pettenkoferstrasse 9a
80336 Munich
Germany

Tel.: +49-(0)89-2180-72964
Fax: +49-(0)89-2180-99-72964
E-mail: hilbi@mvp.uni-muenchen.de
Internet: www.mvp.uni-muenchen.de