AUTHOR=Wang Jia , Xiong Kun , Pan Qu , He Weifeng , Cong Yanguang 

TITLE=Application of TonB-Dependent Transporters in Vaccine Development of Gram-Negative Bacteria

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.589115

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.589115

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>Multiple scarce nutrients, such as iron and nickel, are essential for bacterial growth. Gram-negative bacteria secrete chelators to bind these nutrients from the environment competitively. The transport of the resulting complexes into bacterial cells is mediated by TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) located at the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. The characteristics of TBDTs, including surface exposure, protective immunogenicity, wide distribution, inducible expression <italic>in vivo</italic>, and essential roles in pathogenicity, make them excellent candidates for vaccine development. The possible application of a large number of TBDTs in immune control of the corresponding pathogens has been recently investigated. This paper summarizes the latest progresses and current major issues in the application.</p>