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Abstract
Vertebrates sequester iron from invading pathogens, and conversely, pathogens express
a variety of factors to steal iron from the host. Recent work has demonstrated that
in addition to iron, vertebrates sequester zinc and manganese both intracellularly
and extracellularly to protect against infection. Intracellularly, vertebrates utilize
the ZIP/ZnT families of transporters to manipulate zinc levels, as well as Nramp1
to manipulate manganese levels. Extracellularly, the S100 protein calprotectin sequesters
manganese and potentially zinc to inhibit microbial growth. To circumvent these defenses,
bacteria possess high affinity transporters to import specific nutrient metals. Limiting
the availability of zinc and manganese as a mechanism to defend against infection
expands the spectrum of nutritional immunity and further establishes metal sequestration
as a key defense against microbial invaders.
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