
One-carbon metabolism (OCM) pathways are responsible for producing important compounds necessary for amino acid synthesis and other biomolecules in organisms. Humans acquire folate, an essential component of OCM, from their diet, making folate production a target for antimicrobials. Limiting the availability of para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA), a precursor of OCM, can reduce the pathogenicity of many microbes. However, Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium, shows increased pathogenicity when pABA levels are low, and exogenous pABA has a calming effect on communities of P. gingivalis with pABA-producing partners. The interplay between OCM, protein synthesis, and pathogenicity in different contexts reveals new insights into the host-microbe relationship.
Like
Save
Share