Metabolism: Pathogens love the poison
April 17th, 2014 by Stéphane Ménage
Nature Chemical Biology 10, 326 (2014). doi:10.1038/nchembio.1505
Authors: Stéphane Ménage & Ina Attrée
Itaconate is a metabolite secreted by activated macrophages that inhibits pathogen growth. Some pathogens use itaconate degradation enzymes to promote their survival and infectivity, highlighting metabolic pathways to be considered in host-pathogen interactions.