Bacterial pathogens make use of virulence factors to cause disease. These virulence factors are variable in substance and structure and have multiple or different functions, including attachment to the host cell, invasion, evasion and silencing the host immune system, and uptake of nutrients. Interaction with the host is mandatory as these components are surface-exposed or released structures (particularly in extracellular pathogens). The outer membrane in gram negative bacteria, or the cytoplasmic membrane in gram positive bacteria, serves as a platform where many of these factors are located. In addition, membrane contains machinery for adequate delivery of virulence factors to the extracellular milieu. Research over the past few years has revealed novel insights into the role of membrane proteins and lipids in virulence and pathogenesis, including protein secretion mechanisms. The present thematic Research Topic focuses on this field in the context of human, animal and plant hosts.
Despite the research that has been accomplished, how bacteria colonize and invade different organs and tissues and escape from the innate and acquired immune system is not fully understood. The goal of this topic is to get deeper insight into newly discovered functions of membrane proteins and lipids with a role in virulence of pathogens. With this aim, we intend to uncover novel information on how bacterial membrane proteins facilitate and/or modulate pathogenesis. It would also be interesting to gain further insight into how the host factors affect bacterial membrane proteins and virulence. A comprehensive understanding of these processes would help develop strategies to counter bacterial infections.
In this Research Topic, we aim to address the role of bacterial membrane proteins in virulence and pathogenesis. Research elucidating the role of bacterial membrane proteins in pathogenesis/virulence, novel findings on how host factors modify bacterial membrane protein expression and/or function enhancing or reducing pathogen’s virulence and the mechanisms behind such changes in pathogenic ability can be included. In addition, we would also welcome studies on membrane proteome changes during the pathogenic process. This Research Topic will provide a platform for:
• Original research articles focusing primarily on the elucidation of mechanisms, such as the regulation, interaction networks, signaling pathways, novel phenotypes or on the interaction between pathogens and the host. Studies on proteomic analysis of membranes during pathogenesis process that highlight/bring out a signature molecule are also welcome.
• Methods – articles that are novel in terms of possible intervention strategies targeting membrane proteins that relieve the current burden of countering against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
• Reviews, Mini-Reviews or Perspectives - that highlight important work over the decades and provide a balanced perspective on how future studies should be carried out based on current research gaps.
• Brief Research Reports – preliminary findings or negative results with scientifically valid data.
Bacterial pathogens make use of virulence factors to cause disease. These virulence factors are variable in substance and structure and have multiple or different functions, including attachment to the host cell, invasion, evasion and silencing the host immune system, and uptake of nutrients. Interaction with the host is mandatory as these components are surface-exposed or released structures (particularly in extracellular pathogens). The outer membrane in gram negative bacteria, or the cytoplasmic membrane in gram positive bacteria, serves as a platform where many of these factors are located. In addition, membrane contains machinery for adequate delivery of virulence factors to the extracellular milieu. Research over the past few years has revealed novel insights into the role of membrane proteins and lipids in virulence and pathogenesis, including protein secretion mechanisms. The present thematic Research Topic focuses on this field in the context of human, animal and plant hosts.
Despite the research that has been accomplished, how bacteria colonize and invade different organs and tissues and escape from the innate and acquired immune system is not fully understood. The goal of this topic is to get deeper insight into newly discovered functions of membrane proteins and lipids with a role in virulence of pathogens. With this aim, we intend to uncover novel information on how bacterial membrane proteins facilitate and/or modulate pathogenesis. It would also be interesting to gain further insight into how the host factors affect bacterial membrane proteins and virulence. A comprehensive understanding of these processes would help develop strategies to counter bacterial infections.
In this Research Topic, we aim to address the role of bacterial membrane proteins in virulence and pathogenesis. Research elucidating the role of bacterial membrane proteins in pathogenesis/virulence, novel findings on how host factors modify bacterial membrane protein expression and/or function enhancing or reducing pathogen’s virulence and the mechanisms behind such changes in pathogenic ability can be included. In addition, we would also welcome studies on membrane proteome changes during the pathogenic process. This Research Topic will provide a platform for:
• Original research articles focusing primarily on the elucidation of mechanisms, such as the regulation, interaction networks, signaling pathways, novel phenotypes or on the interaction between pathogens and the host. Studies on proteomic analysis of membranes during pathogenesis process that highlight/bring out a signature molecule are also welcome.
• Methods – articles that are novel in terms of possible intervention strategies targeting membrane proteins that relieve the current burden of countering against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
• Reviews, Mini-Reviews or Perspectives - that highlight important work over the decades and provide a balanced perspective on how future studies should be carried out based on current research gaps.
• Brief Research Reports – preliminary findings or negative results with scientifically valid data.